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Post by zeedman on Nov 28, 2016 21:36:47 GMT -5
Finally, tech support resolved my upload issue... these are the roots I will be storing:
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Post by steev on Nov 29, 2016 0:45:22 GMT -5
My own inclination for storage of un-dry roots/tubers would be potted in moist sand/sawdust where they won't be cold-killed; just seems like what nature does. Ma Nature may have a clue how to care for her children.
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Post by galina on Nov 30, 2016 3:50:13 GMT -5
My own inclination for storage of un-dry roots/tubers would be potted in moist sand/sawdust where they won't be cold-killed; just seems like what nature does. Ma Nature may have a clue how to care for her children. Absolutely, the roots do not want to dry out or they will perish. I have described my way of doing it earlier which is reasonably successful. During winter I water very rarely as there is not much drying out with the plastic bags with their handles knotted. In spring when the plants resprout I need to give a little more water. If clear plastic bags are used, it is very easy to see water droplets on the inside of the bag, if not a quick feel into the compost will tell me if it is getting too dry. People have also used large pots, but these need a lot more judicious watering. I also have Aaron Purple Stars storing at the moment and hope to get a third year out of them. Btw we never get big fleshy roots either, a little bigger than ph vulgaris, but not massive. Lastly, I tried overwintering my vulgaris/coccineus crosses and had no luck either.
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Post by steve1 on Dec 1, 2016 1:49:52 GMT -5
Here is one of the scarlet runners that has overwintered for several years in the garden. I only dug up the one as they are all starting to actively grow (amongst the weeds). The main thick stem on the right tuber is still green and resprouting. Its probable if you select for productivity, you select against tuber formation. Cheers Steve dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/94877168/RunnerBean.jpg
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Post by steev on Dec 1, 2016 2:10:34 GMT -5
Interesting: tuber versus production; does tuber growth promote subsequent production, or does it just promote further tuber-growth? Seems like the survival of the individual, regardless of descendants, if so. Never really thought of plants acting like that. Guess I always thought they were more continuation-oriented, being generally settled-down.
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Post by steve1 on Dec 1, 2016 6:02:18 GMT -5
steev - it sort of only occurred to me at the time I was writing the post (for runner beans), but finite resources, selection pressure and environment will all play a role in the reproductive strategy. If the season is too short or harsh or the selection pressure for bean productivity in the first year is high it sort of makes sense that resources are allocated to seed rather than tubers especially where tubers fail to over winter. Here runner beans over winter easily but selection pressure is zero and the environment is suitable. With the exception of this year (due to neglect and weeds) overwintering tubers are out of the ground early and I think? produce better than seed planted in the first year. Mind you, it's often too hot for them to produce beans until autumn. Just thoughts.
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