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Nashville, TN

I've been keeping track of the SECOND females appear - and then when they're ready to pollinate.. First one only took 4 days - Second one was ready in 5 days!

The second plant is the parent of the first plant. So very well could be genetically linked.

Curious as to how many other lines have these early maturing females? Since the average female takes 7-10 days from appearance - to pollination ready...

7/3/2006 7:45:43 AM

[email protected]

Teach,

Do you mean that from the time the ovary is formed (Pea sized) to the time it opens is just 4-5 days?

7/3/2006 11:25:41 AM

Montoursville, PA

Likely depends on your eyes and understanding, of the formation, of the ovary. I occasionally see them at BB size.
Depending, on how small you spot them is likely, from where you count days. Some folks I have started have trouble seeing small marble size. Learning how, to spot them ready, to open, the next morning is a more valued skill.

7/3/2006 3:29:02 PM

New Castle, Pa.

Any hints on how to develope the skill of knowing they are ready to open the next morning?

7/3/2006 10:03:03 PM

[email protected]

The flower tends to "squat" for lack of a better term. I don't know if there is a better term in the English language to describe it.

We need a photo-sequence uploaded to the "How To" section of this website of a female flower from "bee-bee" to "Pea" to "Golf Ball" to "Squat" to "Open" with the average days. That would really be useful to new growers.

7/3/2006 10:29:46 PM

New Castle, Pa.

Thanks! Tremor, I now have an idea of what to look for.

7/3/2006 10:42:32 PM

Follansbee, Wv

You will also notice the tips of the petals beginning to seperate. As Steve said it's hard to describe, but if you watch the flowers every day, one day you will notice that they just look "different".

Steve, I have some females in various stages right now. I'll pick a young one and take some pics and see if Ken will load them up.

7/4/2006 9:26:38 AM

Montoursville, PA

No one mentioned the specific and different yellow tones in the top inch, of the female, the day before opening. The same is true, of a male being ready, to open next day. Get in there close. This is one, of the most consistant changes that most can learn, to see.

We have, to leave the female, on the plant therefore she gets covered...most often with a baggie, to prevent bees, from beating you, to the job of pollination. The baggie has to be tied gently to the stem, of the female. The males may be cut the night before and placed, in water, for use in, the morning. If you leave the males, in the patch, they must be covered, to keep off the bees too. Cut or protect your desired cross with three males if they are available.

I believe maximum pollen is developed at room temperature overnight nearly as much as would develop, on the plant.

7/4/2006 6:46:07 PM

Nashville, TN

Yes, I inspect the growing tips of each plant every morning. Document the females developing before even pea-sized...

I'm up to my fourth 4-5 dayer (from pre-pea-sized to ready to pollinate)... One is the Parent of two of the others (625 Foss and two 150 Pecks). The other is the 300 Peck (587 Moore Selfed - not closely related).. And it looks like the 222 Debacco will be ready to pollinate in the morning as well.

Maybe the high temps + plenty of irrigation + better balance of the micronutrients - is the reason for this quick maturity?

7/5/2006 8:46:17 AM

Wallingford,CT

how about some pictures of these 4-5 day wonders from "pre-pea-sized to "ready to pollinate"

7/5/2006 4:52:29 PM