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Knopp, Germany

It would be good if we could collectively make a list of our early season problems that we couldn't overcome and successes in dealing with problems. This would be a good learning tool for me and perhaps others in the future. It would be good if we did it now while the problems and pains from same are still fresh. It would be good if you tell what your problem was even if it was said before here so that we could see how prevelent the problem is.

Problems-
#1 - Primary seeds germination failure. Throws and crosses I planned all winter for right out the window.
#2 - Lack of an effective backup plan. I started my backups too late, and without thought of possible crosses.
#3 - Did not provide my freshly replanted seedlings with a shade to protect them from the sun, resulting in burned and stunted first and second leaves.

Successes:
#1 - Frost. After 3 straight nights of unexpected frost, my mini greenhouses protected all of my seedlings.

5/27/2004 1:14:44 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

>>Weeding/Tilling too close to the plant.

example: Last year I did this. I thought one more tilling would be good & might reduce hand weeding too. But after 4 weeks in the ground, I was seeing all these little white roots whenever I passed within a few feet of the plant. At first I thought they were weed roots. Some might have been, but most weren't. The poor things took a week off from growing for my efforts & another slow week for recovery.

5/27/2004 5:06:11 AM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

So far nothing bad has happened. (fingers crossed....)

But there are two successes worth mentioning:

1. My 810 Dill plant was started together with all my other plants but came up with the cots almost completely rotted. It was unable to produce energy via photosynthesis for a long time and therefore it grew VERY slow for the first two to three weeks. Then, however, the first and second true leaf developed and since then it is growing almost like any other normal plant. I almost had given up hope on this plant a few weeks ago and was about to throw it on the compost pile... Now I'm glad that I didn't do it!
So, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE FOR A PLANT!!!!

2. We now had 5 frost-nights in a row with temperatures as low as -3,9°C. But as all my plants are protected with hoophouses with heat sources in them they were not damaged and are doing great!
So, ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR PLANTS IN THE EARLY SEASON!!!

5/27/2004 5:36:35 AM