On Mon, 05 May 2008 09:35:43 -0500, The Cook <susan_r23666@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>I am afraid that it is too late for me (northwest NC) to try quinoa
>this spring. I am thinking about planting in September. How long to
>maturity?
It looks like around a 100 days or so to maturity. I have a sea level
variety to try, but I have no idea how this is going to work out, given
that quinoa is generally a high altitude crop. If I don't get my butt
in gear and get it planted, I'm not going to know this year either.
From http://www.island.wsu.edu/CROPS/QUINOA.htm
Propagation and care. Fruiting takes place under short day length.
September is the best time for sowing in Chile and Peru. In Colorado,
it has been grown in elevations of 7,000 to 10,000 feet. In the
Sacramento Valley, the time of sowing should correspond to that of
safflower-- mid-February through April. Distances between rows of 1.25
to 2.5 ft allow for good production. As the distance between plants
increases, they produce more panicles to compensate for the smaller
number of plants per A. Plant at a depth of F(1,2) to 1 inch with
consideration to soil type and moisture. The type of soil preparation
used, from intensive to minimum tillage, does not significantly affect
yields. The vigor of the quinoa plant, however, decreases with the
minimum tillage systems. Quinoa seeds germinate within 24 hours.
Emergence occurs in 3 to 5 days. Optimum density is 130,000 plants per
acre (F(1,2) to F(3,4) pound per acre). Over-irrigation causes severe
stunting in seedlings. In Colorado, maturity occurs from 90 to 125
days. Plots that are thinned to 4 plants per foot on the row during the
season yield 25% more than those grown without thinning. In Colorado,
quinoa planted in late April to mid-May may not need irrigation until
mid-June, if the soil profile was near field capacity at planting.
Colorado Extension trials show that July rainfall is sufficient to
carry the crop to August. In California, irrigation is required as the
crop grows primarily during California's dry season.
Charlie
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