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San Diego

laugh this year. I know most growers throughout the season have problems here or there, everyone does. I had to share my misfortunes because it has been so weird this year, maybe I can give you a laugh or let you know small problems are no big deal hehehe. My fourth year growing, I grow one plant. Plant number one, 724 carlson, incredibly awesome vigerous healthy and strong, one of my bets ever. At 4 weeks, a gopher appears out of no where, tunnels my patch and in 24 hours, mortally wounds my plant etaing all the roots. He even came up one time and ate a leaf to laugh at me. The gopher left and never returned.:)

Started 2 845 nesbitt's. Had infestation of small 1/10th inch catipillar like worms, before I new it my first two leaves look like swiss cheese:) Killed them, got over 40 on my plants taken off. Decide to put a little more iron in my soil, chelated. Some of the iron dust got on my plants, slightly burned my leaves. Then I had small finches on my plants start pecking small holes in my leaves, like there weren't enough holes already. Things start looking better, out of no where (again) first time ever, some type of giant grass hopper or preying mantis type thing attacks both my 845's, taking out 2" by 3" chunks on the outer edges of many leaves. :)

I have to laugh because never in my ag life have I ever seen so many problems or things trying to kill my plants. My 845's are on their 4th and fifth true leaves, they are healthy and growing strong thankfully, but a bit ugly looking hehehe. So that's my adventure so far, let's hope it is over:)

6/15/2004 1:34:30 PM

Deer Park, WI

I know what you mean Duster. Been a challenging spring in Northern WI as well, to say the least. If I'm not dealing with frost at the end of may, Its the 90+ in the beginning of june. How does one manage 95 degrees and 35 mph sustained winds? Hot houses dont work, thats for sure. Forgot to mention the cuke beetles and squash bugs made a grand appearance. Its been one thing after another...but all part of the fun, right? When i weight that 1000+ this fall, i'll know what type of beating these plants are capable of.

6/16/2004 8:49:58 AM