Page 8b
New Victoria Addict
Photos by Alan Montour - Click to enlarge
January 6, 2003, we sent Alan some 'Challenger' and 'Columbia' sprouts to see first how they would survive shipment during a very cold spell and second how they would do for him once there.
1/16/03
And so Victoria Adventure II begins! Kit sent me seven 'Challenger' and six 'Columbia'. I was surprised that the risk was taken to ship them to the north in January. Temperatures here in Maryland during their trip were highs in the mid 40's and lows in the 20's. Kit kindly asked the U.S. Postal Service to protect the contents from extreme cold. I am amazed with her nicking abilities unlike my first attempts. It truly is an art!
When we ship by Priority or Express Mail we wrap the seed bags in newspaper, a great insulator, and box them. We do write on most boxes and envelopes to protect them from cold in hopes they won't be left in cold mailboxes. As far as nicking, these were spontaneous sprouts but nicked ones should look exactly the same. Several of the Columbia sprouts seem not to be developing and it is probably not from the shipping. Some that we kept here have also not developed beyond nubs.
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They have made their journey just fine and are happy in their new home! I am planning to leave them together in their ziplock bags until they each have 2 hastate leaves and root formation before planting. Well wouldn't you know it, some have already surpassed this stage and I just had to plant them, so eager am I.
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< This is the second Challenger that I also just had to plant! The first Challenger planted already has lost its filiform and is sending up its first floater. And you may be wondering - yes, I convinced myself to plant a Columbia too. > |
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I should also mention here that decay of some form did occur in the Challenger bag and that seedling was discarded immediately. This is what prompted me to plant my second Challenger. The decay also was affecting its filiform so I thought it best to plant it.
My plans are to share my Longwoods' home with Challenger (picture at top of page) and my Red Flares' home will be shared by Columbia, in the center.
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