Back in mid-June, I gave some chia seeds to my friend, Dave, and then forgot all about it. Dave planted them in his garden in Setauket. Now, just 4 months later, they are about 4 feet tall, and seem about to flower.Our average first frost date here on Long Island is less than 3 weeks away, which doesn't give enough time for seed production. But who knows, perhaps with global warming, we'll get a few extra weeks of growing season, like we did last year. Stay posted....
The Chia have definite flower buds, but no flowers yet. Maybe in a week or so? I've been watering more lately and it has cooled down, so they are not wilting daily. Am thinking of digging at least one up before frost to give it some extra time. My recollection is that they were planted 6/19/07 in 4 pack trays and transplanted about 6 weeks later at about 3" to their current location. They are slow starters and prone to damping off as small seedlings. I'll let you know when the flowers open.
Posted by: Dave | October 16, 2007 at 05:46 PM
The Chia plants started to flower yesterday or today (10/21). Azure Blue.
Posted by: Dave | October 21, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Insect pollinators seen on Chia flowers 10/28/07 : Imported Cabbage Worm butterfly (I have kale nearby) and Honeybee.
Posted by: Dave | October 28, 2007 at 12:40 PM