Hey All-
Here are my end of June updates-
Favas- the seed is from 10 GRIN accessions sent to me by Anna Mieritz. They all originated in South America. There was quite a bit of diversity in the seed- mostly size and color. Here is one packet-
I direct sowed them on March 5th. They germed by 4/9 and started flowering by 5/20
The seed pod set is looking cool and diverse as well- lots of variation of pod size, plant height and some varieties have great tillering like in this photo: The other varieties do not show this trait.
I am seeing some signs of what could be disease but I don’t know for sure- any thoughts?
This leaf looks unhealthy to me-
and this pod has some black spots
Neither are widespread in the population or the variety but just something to be aware of.
Spinach:
My spinach project has been a bust! My original seeding of several GRIN varieties plus a diverse population sent to me by Joseph Zarr -all sown in early March of about 100 row feet yielded 2 plants! I will seed again this Fall and see how they do.
Watermelon:
I am so excited about the watermelon! I collected 11 different varieties of watermelon- two of which are diverse populations from other GTS growers Evalisa in Quebec and Kay in Portland. For the others I chose small sized, early maturing types from other seed companies- True Love Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, and a few others…they are all growing happily down the road. They were seeded on 4/24 and transplanted on 5/28 in deep straw mulch for soil health and moisture retention.
I had a group of friends and volunteers come to help and we had a great time getting them all tucked in.
There is quite a bit of varietal difference in leaf growth and overall plant size already. I haven’t seen any flowers yet. I hope to harvest and share lots of fruits with the community this Fall.