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Post by steev on Jan 31, 2014 2:59:10 GMT -5
I went, but they had none; that's why I suspect it was "hobby" produce. I should wander through the produce markets here more often, NorCal being a tad "foodie".
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Post by richardw on Jan 31, 2014 12:50:46 GMT -5
Bill- the seed arrived thanks,now ive just got to get some to germinate this time............
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Post by richardw on Feb 1, 2014 23:52:49 GMT -5
Rang up Cesar to ask him what's the best way to help my second attempt successful,he recommended that i sown in a tray and put it in the fridge,but question is how long would i leave it in there?
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Post by billw on Feb 2, 2014 0:02:59 GMT -5
That's about the opposite of what works for me, but you guys are in the southern hemisphere.
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Post by billw on Feb 2, 2014 0:49:33 GMT -5
In my latest sowing of 2400 seeds, we're up to 68% germination at six weeks. Surface sown. 70*F bottom heat, consistently wet soil for the first three weeks, letting it dry out a bit after that. 12 on / 12 off lighting.
Nobody has reported results remotely similar to that so far, so maybe my technique is irrelevant and there is something in the water...
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Post by rowan on Feb 2, 2014 1:07:31 GMT -5
I got best results sowing as soon as I got the seeds (my first lot that I kept till the warmer weather before sowing only had one seedling come up), keeping the soil constantly moist, then the first hot day they popped up all over the place.
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Post by steev on Feb 3, 2014 0:10:17 GMT -5
billw: surface sown? So you think they want light, like lettuce, or you think they're just teeny and weak?
I must admit, I planted your seed, lightly covered, and put it in my unlighted hot-box; one sprouted,(but it was spindly by the time I checked) so I put the pot outside and that was the one that promptly croaked. Futzing with my pots of seedlings, I spilled that pot, scooped things back in, and put it in the critter-cage, where three seeds sprouted (outside, in temperate Winter and sunlight); clearly, I have no idea how covered they were.
Those three are growing fine, though not fast enough for my taste, of course.
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Post by billw on Feb 3, 2014 15:12:11 GMT -5
I always surface sow tiny seeds when lacking any better information. Since it seems to work well with oca, I have continued, but I don't know if it is actually necessary.
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Post by cesarz on Feb 4, 2014 2:42:19 GMT -5
Hi,
I have to say, I also surface sowed the seeds. I was just checking the first germination I transplanted into a 2 gallon pot and I noticed a lot of new oca seedlings popping up around it. It came from the soil attached to the transplant and "floated" to the surface and promptly germinated. Current total of seedlings now 13. And this time they have bigger cotyledons than the first ones that germinated.
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Post by steev on Feb 4, 2014 21:32:08 GMT -5
I saw, in the catalog that arrived today, that an Oregon company is offering Oca plants, 3 1/2" pots, for $14.95 +shipping. Wow! Talk about boutique gardening! I don't doubt that I'm out of the loop (and happily, deliberately so), but wow! Talk about harvesting the ignorant!
Please note that I didn't name the company, which didn't use to be so money-grubbing. Regrettable, IMHO; I found it valuable years ago. I guess both I and their original focus have become out-dated.
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Post by kevin8715 on Feb 4, 2014 23:59:01 GMT -5
Planted 30 seeds in total so far. 15 started 2 weeks ago and another 15 started 1 week ago. They were planted in 2-6 packs so most have 2 but might have more. I only managed to get 1 to pre sprout. Hoping that the cool weather will help it germinate faster when a bit more heat sets in.
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Post by richardw on Feb 5, 2014 0:07:57 GMT -5
Yes ,they are out there ripping off the gullible,reminds me of a catalogue i received a while back which advertised a tomato that was claimed to be only tomato in the world that doesn't need to be sprayed ,they were selling one seed for $15.
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Post by billw on Feb 5, 2014 0:49:52 GMT -5
Aside from the price, which is excessive, but not too far out of line with what a few of the other oca sellers in the US are charging, I remain perplexed by why they offer a plant at a time of year when they could be shipping tubers instead. It doesn't seem like there is any advantage to shipping oca as a plant.
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Post by steev on Feb 5, 2014 2:35:12 GMT -5
I don't think they're selling oca as a plant; I think they're selling it as an idea.
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Post by billw on Feb 5, 2014 2:41:07 GMT -5
Well then, at least shipping should be inexpensive.
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