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Post by billw on Jan 8, 2015 4:21:50 GMT -5
I have a considerable surplus of controlled crosses this year - more than I can possibly grow. I'd like to spread these around to other people to grow, but I really want to get information about the results. To qualify, you must agree to:
* Keep track of the identities of the crosses through the season.
* Send me pictures of the mature plants and the tubers at harvest.
* Track when the plants flower (if they do at all) and identify the flower type.
* Return a couple of tubers to me from any varieties that are particularly interesting (I probably won't ask for much given the huge number of varieties that I'm already maintaining).
PM or respond to the thread. Tell me how many plants you can grow and what kind of climate you have (how early is the first frost, how hot does it get in the summer, how much water will the plants get, etc.) I will pick out some crosses that I guess to be most appropriate for your conditions. I'll send them on my dime in the US. If you're outside the US, I'm happy to send seed, but you'll have to pay for the shipping.
I gave out quite a bit of seed last year and only got good information back from HG people, so this is the only place that I'm offering this year. Thanks!
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Post by 12540dumont on Jan 9, 2015 2:50:21 GMT -5
Bill, I'll PM you. I've never eaten an Oca, so I'd love to eat one before growing them!
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Post by darrenabbey on Jan 9, 2015 9:31:09 GMT -5
I'd be interested in growing some (half dozen?), with your requirements in mind. I'm in southern Minnesota, with a median first frost date at the start of October. The average peak summer temperature is 73F, though it varies dramatically by the year and in exposed areas it will readily reach the 90s in most years. This area has proved difficult for the few oca strains I've tried in the past with no tubers forming before first frost.
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Post by ottawagardener on Jan 9, 2015 9:33:21 GMT -5
I'm in! Let me know if you want me to torture any plants for you. I promise to document...
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Post by kevin8715 on Jan 9, 2015 11:41:28 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I pretty much sucked at getting oca past the seedling stage. Kind of hard to get bright light but cool conditions at the same time without an indoor setup. I can comply with all that record keeping. Hmmm... maybe with the remaining winter weather right now.... Though some days have gotten in the high 80s.
I can probably fit in like 8 plants half in pots and half in ground.
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Post by robertb on Jan 9, 2015 12:25:14 GMT -5
Yes, I'd be interested if you can send seed to the UK. What's your climate like? Standard varieties are shy flowering here, and shier to set seeds, but it seems to get easier once the first generation produces something as natural selection comes into play.
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Post by rowan on Jan 9, 2015 13:42:21 GMT -5
I wish I could help but I can't send back tubers. I hope it goes well for you.
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Post by billw on Jan 13, 2015 0:57:11 GMT -5
OK, I'll follow up with all of you in about a week. Rowan, I'll be happy to send you some as long as you can still collect the information.
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Post by rowan on Jan 13, 2015 13:49:21 GMT -5
Sure, I can collect the info for you. I have to say that the last lot of seed I bought from you have germinated really well and I will have a lot of plants to play with next year when they go out in the beds.
BTW, our summers are getting hotter and some of the plants just can't take it so they are self selecting for heat tolerance, it might be something to think about if you send me some seed. I have noticed already that the seedlings I grew out from your seed last year are mostly showing more heat tolerance than the only two cultivars that were available in Aus up til now.
With some early trouble (pots getting knocked over) and first time germinating the seed I only got 7 seedlings last year (with a couple more of those seeds germinating this year) but with them being out in the beds this year I have only lost two of them and the rest are bounding along in up to 45c heat (under 50% shadecloth, of course though). My original cultivars aren't doing nearly as well and I am going to give up on one of those. I am very pleased.
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Post by saopk on Jan 18, 2015 12:44:25 GMT -5
sent you a pm, thanks im from canada though
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Post by reed on Jan 18, 2015 19:19:03 GMT -5
I'm in southern Indiana zone 6 on a dry ridge top with heavy clay soil. I would like to try some, happy to document and return results. Don't know how much space they need but I can devote a 3' x 10' bed for them. I'll PM my address.
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Post by billw on Jan 26, 2015 3:57:37 GMT -5
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Post by saopk on Jan 27, 2015 2:44:29 GMT -5
do you have any extra bitter melon seeds? i dont see it on your site
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Post by greenfinger on Jan 31, 2015 17:19:44 GMT -5
Hello, I would like to be included in the oca trial.
I am near the Southwest corner of TN.
last frost April 15
first frost early Nov
High humidity July Aug with temps 90 - 103 F
Maybe I would need to plant them in the shade of a bean trellis? Wood sorrel grows here very well thru mid June in full sun, then withers. Shaded plants do well all summer.
The garden is watered, so they will receive 1" per week, when rain is insufficient.
I can do 12 plants, but please no more than 3 varieties
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Post by Tiirsys on Feb 3, 2015 23:20:18 GMT -5
I already ordered some Oca from your site, Bill, but I'd love to try more. I will gladly post the results of all the different types I have gotten from you. (I always catch these things late!)
South of Puget Sound in WA, my growing season is about 158 days, and the frost usually comes about the latter end of October (looking at other resources it says 150-200 frost free days. 50 more days seems like a lot).
Highest temperature in summer is usually about 80 degrees fahrenheit.
I have a drip irrigation hose for morning and evening watering set on a timer.
It looks like I will have space for about thirty-some plants.
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