|
|
Post by templeton on Jul 26, 2017 1:28:16 GMT -5
I'm growing out selections from mass crossed coloured carrots searching for a coloured 'paris Market' type. I'm at about F4 or F5, but with lots of selection still to do - mass crosses are time consuming!
Anyway, I've been doing late summer sowing, pulling in late winter, and replanting for seed production in the next summer. Last couple of years I've had issues with quite a few plants not going to seed. And others rotting after replanting. This year's complication is a 7 week absence from the garden over the best part of spring.
My questions - how long should i plan on fridge stratification?
I have a few possibilities -
1. pull now while v small, fridge for 3-4 weeks, replant just before I'm away and take advantage of good=damp weather while im gone,
2. pull now, fridge for 11 weeks, replant and nurse them through summmer,
3.delay for 4 weeks, pull, store in fridge for 7 weeks, replant in late spring and nurse through summer...
|
|
|
|
Post by philagardener on Jul 26, 2017 5:27:41 GMT -5
I've overwintered carrots for seed in the refrigerator and they all bloomed the following year, but haven't tried to move things faster that that. It would be good to get them as large as possible so you get a good seed yield, and can select individual roots that look good.
Is it just that your winters aren't getting cold enough? What about putting a styrofoam box on them in place and adding some ice on top of the plants to add to the chill when you are in your cooler months?
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Jul 26, 2017 17:19:54 GMT -5
Its more a timing issue than cold intensity - I think. We don't get really long leisurely springs here. Some years I'm watering continuously from mid october. carrots don't seem to re-establish that well under my care, and getting the selections re-established early seems prudent.
I'm never going to get really big robust roots under an autumn/winter/spring seed rotation.
T
|
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Jul 28, 2017 19:45:35 GMT -5
Templeton, I've had pretty good luck with 3-4 weeks in the fridge. Darn things started to grow in the fridge!
|
|
|
|
Post by steev on Jul 28, 2017 23:56:30 GMT -5
Wait! Are you talking about carrots, or mold?
Holly: I'll get back to you re dinner and bricks when the quince is coming in.
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Jul 29, 2017 1:59:03 GMT -5
Well, I had a bit of an exploration, and ended up digging up the whole bed.  So, denizens of the frosty North, how do i best prepare the roots for a month's fridge storage prior to replanting? I imagine I should remove foliage, leave growing tip undamaged, loosely packed relatively dry in a plastic bag?  |
|
|
|
Post by steev on Jul 29, 2017 3:18:31 GMT -5
Not sure a plastic bag is a good idea; maybe a paper bag, in the crisper.
|
|
|
|
Post by richardw on Jul 29, 2017 16:45:54 GMT -5
templeton Could always send some roots on here for a winter holiday, no shortage of potential cold stratification at the moment, bloody cold water pipes frozen up in the roof this morning.
|
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Jul 31, 2017 11:24:43 GMT -5
I hate that frozen pipe thing, but would rather be there in the freeze then here is this BLAZiNG BLOODY HOT weather. Templeton. I wrap mine in a wet cloth bag, (wrung out) and then place that in a plastic bag (NOT twisted shut) and put them in the vege bin drawer. I cut off the green tops, but leave about 1/4 inch of them. Keep checking the bag, so it doesn't dry out. After 4 weeks mine had little roots all over them, and were ready to go back in the ground.
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Aug 2, 2017 4:56:09 GMT -5
Thanks holly. Will do. Just about to plant out my mill creeks |
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Aug 2, 2017 10:53:44 GMT -5
I just harvested mine, they've been out curing, today they come in for braiding and hanging!
|
|
