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Sydney, Australia

Help!!! The 845 plant is 46 days old, with the main vine out about 12 foot. Secondarys are going crazy in every direction. Each vine is growing almost a foot per day!!! First male is opened today!!! But I'm worried about the first female on the main at 12 foot out. Is that out too far??? Is 12 foot OK? Tomorrow the plant is due for its 3rd nitrogen hit(week 7 in Langevin book schedule) I'm worried that if I hit it with nitrogen again and again next weekend I may cause this critical fruit to abort. We are having very high temps here so maybe that is speeding up the growth cycle and I shouldn't be doing as many fertilize's before switching to the next type on the list......? ???Should I switch to the balanced formula tomorrow, now males are opening and a female is about a week away??? Also there are females on every secondary that is over 4 foot long. Lots of questions!!!! Thanks for anyhelp......Ben

11/28/2002 3:39:47 PM

Caceres, Spain

I'd stop high nitrogen fertilization and push on phosphorus, like 14-30-16 or similar, for two weeks at least. If you have problems with pollination remember you can use giberelic acid and ANA amida.
12 foot appart for your female sounds OK as far as I've heard about nice fruits from five two twenty feet out. Joel Holland recommend me start at ten feet out. Nevertheless, numbers are a very human question, I believe plants aren't so strict.
What about a little shadow for your female flowers?

11/28/2002 4:25:44 PM

Indiana

Ben,
My 1097.5 was about 16 feet out. relax my man!!!!!!!

Tom Beachy

11/28/2002 6:32:33 PM

Commack, NY

my 814 was 26 feet out..........and my 625 est. was 24 foot out.......dont even sweat it!

scott

11/28/2002 9:44:37 PM

Sydney, Australia

Thanks guys, I'm now happy about where it is!!!! But what about the fertilizing program.......should i hit it with another serve of nitrogen or now switch to a balanced liquid fertilizer? Thanks very much. Ben

11/28/2002 10:57:43 PM