TLT Seeds: Uttarakhand project

See Wk 3 for comments. Week two was all about rescuing two of 8 seeds that survived long enough to grow roots. 2 seeds didnt sprout, 4 seeds had such poor root systems that they died off early. This picture is intended to show the way I rescued the seeds, but I expect it to delay the growth cycle by 2-3 weeks minimum. Still not out of the woods with this strain.

Sorry for the lack of updates with the Uttarakhand. A challenging grow. These seeds were HUGE compared to the Nanda Devi. I am suspicious that this landrace varietal was cultivated for *seed production*... the sprouts have ALL displayed some really bizarre characteristics. Almost every seed popped, showing BIG seed leaves unfolding from the seed shell. However, they had trouble breaking free of the seed, and root development has been terrible! Using paper towels, roots didnt grow long but instead looked like a stump. Using sand/soil mix, the roots didnt grow much better, looking like stumps. Rescuing any plants from the seed sprouts took dedicated effort. I had to carefully lay the root stump into a 1" rockwool cube and not let it dry out, but leaving the surrounding soil rather dry to avoid damp off. I tapped out the soil 1-2 times per week to watch for root growth and monitor soil moisture. They get 1-2 hrs of gentle morning sun to try and help them break out of their slow start. I expect these will limp along for two more weeks before they grow out enough to finally start behaving like normal plants. Till then, they remain under lights and close watch. I will add a drawing to show the root problems I am seeing. Have a good week.

14Apr: Ah yes, the Uttarakhand project. What a PITA. These are almost as exciting to grow as a tissue culture. :| I have had several good looks each week of the roots, which seem to never want to expand past the thin root singlets that can be seen pretty easily in the soil. One got a rockwool plug, one stayed in sand mix, one sprouted hot and late. They all seem rather genetically challenged, with the new sprout missing half of the seed leaves, then half the first real leaves. Nubby things from gorgeous gigantic seeds.

21Apr: The Uttarakhand reminds me again and again that it's a different beast - a 'stranger in a strange land' Another seed popped up from the sand last week! This little guy germinated in hot & dry sand for at least 30 days and then poof was up and showing Uttarakhand's tendency to have very poorly formed leaves after the seed opens. This one must have had better roots as I scooped out a sturdy ball from the sand with a spoon and you can see it in the lower right of the pic. Hopefully warmer weather has these gaining ground next week. I must keep reminding myself these wont mature until december or later, and the Uttarakhand & Nanda Devi regions are deeply snowed in right now, and little plants must be used to cold, slow starts. I have significantly upped the perlite when repotting these, FWIW. Have a good week.

Yeah, its been a month without updates. Its a bit tedious doing weekly updates...plenty to keep me busy with final transplants, dodging wind storms and staying healthy. Once I got past the initial wacky growth from the Uttarakhand sprouts, things settled down for a bit, then really took off. Uttarakhand #2 was almost tossed out and now is perhaps the most interesting of plants I have. #2 is very much female, though the flowers have extra pointy pods and are in no hurry to do much, which is good. #4 has shown itself to be male this week, which is fantastic, as I want to make a good batch of seeds by inbreeding.