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Post by Tucson Grower on May 25, 2023 14:27:40 GMT -6
I placed a row of 2 inch thick flakes of alfalfa hay, end to end, down between the third and fourth rows - and a layer around each plant. I had to replace 2 HH plants and 1 FQR. I started laying out the main 1/2 inch drip line. I did most work at night when it's in the 60'sF.
Pics -->
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Post by Tucson Grower on May 29, 2023 11:53:17 GMT -6
Just now there were 3 HH blossoms and 1 SIR. I colored some q-tips black (with a sharpie), cut off the SIR bloom, used the q-tip to move pollen from the SIR to the HH flowers, then hair clipped them shut and hog ringed a label around the flower bases. Unfortunately I was a few minutes too late, alkali bees had already pollinated all of the flowers. These will likely be a mix of HH and HH x SIR seeds, which is okay, they should be easy to sort, once germinated. I have decided I should punch the hole in the plastic labels, closer to the pointy end, so they fit better.
Some pics -->
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Post by heavyhitterokra on May 29, 2023 16:24:10 GMT -6
Excellent work Tucson!
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Post by Tucson Grower on May 29, 2023 16:37:19 GMT -6
A few years ago, when I last was successful at growing okra. I planted the seed directly where they were grown. Though I sowed the seed early, the plants didn't start blooming and setting fruit until the plants were at least 2 feet tall, when a flower would bloom and the fruit was usually ready to pick the next day. This season all the plants are still way shorter than 2 feet, but have been producing already, though the fruit takes much longer to mature.
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Post by Tucson Grower on May 30, 2023 9:41:44 GMT -6
Last evening, just as the sun was setting, I checked on the pollinated flowers. The corollas with hairclips had all fallen off. Then I checked over the plants to identify those with flowers due to open the next day, and marked them (I placed a small silver stake in front of each).
Just now I had 1 SIR and 2 HH blossoms beginning to open. I cut off the SIR bloom, then trimmed away its petals, making its pollen easier to access. The flowers were on the verge of opening, but hadn't actually opened yet. In order to ensure these HH blooms only received SIR pollen, I used the hair clips like a speculum, to pry open the tips of the petals, then gently lowered the q-tip, loaded with SIR pollen, down onto the stigma, bingo. It was easy to see the stigmas were loaded with pollen. I then hair clipped the flowers closed. This technique should be almost as good as emasculation, without the failure rate. It should also reduce interference from insects.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 1, 2023 15:34:32 GMT -6
Now I had 1 SIR and 1 HH blossoms beginning to open (the HH flower is on a plant already carrying a hybrid pod). I cut off the SIR bloom, then trimmed away its petals, making its pollen easier to access. rubbed some pollen on the tip of q-tip then used a hairclip to open the corolla and dab pollen on the HH stigma, then hairclipped it closed.
I want to see if a plant can ripen 2 pods as easily as 1. Most plants will only be allowed to carry 1 hybrid pod, for now.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 3, 2023 7:17:05 GMT -6
Updated pics of 1st 2 rows in F1 production area -->
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Post by chrysanthemum on Jun 3, 2023 7:30:12 GMT -6
Those plants are looking great, Tucson Grower. Thanks for the update.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 5, 2023 6:30:17 GMT -6
I was just out there this morning (about 4 am) getting ready for another hybridization/pollination day. Marking plants that are going to be either pollen donors or pollen recipients/or both. Then removing any errant fruits, and eating them (so the plants can focus their efforts on producing the F1 seed). Also eating the fruits that were being produced by yet, miniscule plants, so they can grow larger, more quickly. The many F1 pods, already growing, were quite tempting. I'm sure they would be very tasty.
Aside; The small grasses seen surrounding the okra plants, are only still growing due to the irrigation of the okra. Their roots penetrate no more than an inch deep, so likely aren't much trouble for the okra. Hopefully they help keep the soil temperature, lower than it would be without them.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jun 6, 2023 20:27:22 GMT -6
Tucson,
I enlarged those photos to get a better look. Those are some purdy plants! Congratulations on the deep-red colors ... Nice!
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 7, 2023 9:07:18 GMT -6
I'm finally finishing the drip irrigation on my F1 okra production area, I just purchased a punch tool (~ $5) - but after using it for about an hour, last night, it beat me. I guess I'm getting soft. Today I ordered the kind that has a slot for the 1/2 inch tubing, then you squeeze the handle and it punches the hole ($15). I remember when you received the punch, for free, just for buying the drip tubing and emitters.
Pics -->
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 7, 2023 9:12:42 GMT -6
Tucson,
I enlarged those photos to get a better look. Those are some purdy plants! Congratulations on the deep-red colors ... Nice! I'm hoping to, at least, start growing some F1 plants, before this season is over. I'm anxious to see dark red in HH type plants. To know my plan has a chance.
If I succeed, I plan to call it, 'Diane's Purple' - even if, initially, it is more red than purple. I can always keep working on the color, until I'm gone.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 7, 2023 21:22:22 GMT -6
Here are pics of SIRs with pods, these pods were partially self-pollinated and partially pollinated with HH pollen.
Pic-->
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 8, 2023 7:06:43 GMT -6
My 5 largest seedpods, 4 HH x SIR, each of them are 6 inches long. One SIR x HH, its 8 inches long.
These pods are in the pics, above.
This morning there will be 2 SIR blossoms and 1 HH. The drip irrigation is finished on the first 2 rows. I pushed through, last night, with the lame punch tool. Today the better punch tool is expected. I'll finish the other 2 rows with the easier tool. I moved the hay mulch from the second two rows, to cover the drip supply line, in the completed first two rows (to help keep the irrigation water somewhat cooler. Once I finish the second two rows I will cover that leg of the supply line with hay, also.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jun 9, 2023 9:04:25 GMT -6
Since most of the HH plants, in the first two rows are carrying F1 pods, I've been pruning off flower buds from plants that already have seed pods growing.
I finished setting up all four F1 rows with adjustable micro sprinklers, I turned on the water, then went down each row, tweaking the emitters so they were all set, nearly the same. One emitter was spraying at full force - nothing I did would change its flow, so I had to replace it with another emitter.
It's curious, when I water with a hose it takes at least 10-15 minutes to water two rows - once I turn on the drip, all four rows are soaked in less than 5 minutes.
I covered the 1/2 inch drip supply line with alfalfa hay, that should ensure the drip water doesn't cook the roots with nearly boiling water. I already nearly killed one of my watermelon plants with hot water. Sometime in the next few days I plan to buy a few bales of straw ($11/each). I also plan to check on the mineral tub availability.
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