Started these seeds in early May 2022. Growing nicely since then, started in Parks rooter plugs, then transplanted into 6 inch pots, then 2 gallon pots, approximately mid June. After July 4, transplanted to in-ground raised beds in an established vegetable garden. Put Bumper Crop compost in the planting hole, azomite and our own homemade compost, along with generous amount of Garden Tone, which is an organic general use fertilizer (3-4-4). They have been skyrocketing ever since.
Topped several times, fimmed instead of topped for the final time late July. Now I am carefully bending them so that they do not grow over the top of the fence. This also has the effect of enhancing budding--but don't do this too soon or you will break the tops off. No pest problems to date-last year had a spider mite issue which was almost disastrous. Keeping a close eye on that this year, especially since it is so dry and hot.