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[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

> > Could the cold have stunted it the way 
> broccoli makes button heads?  Could it have crossed with something?
> 

It could be stunted.  This happens with brassica when the seedbed or pot is 
far richer than the growing bed to which they are transplanted.  They do 
not develop agressive root structure if the seedling mixture is too rich and 
the unambitious roots can do nothing in the less fertile growing bed.  Best, 
says I, to start such seedlings in nearly sterile medium.

Unless you saved the Michihili seed from last year, crossing with something 
is not germane.

Having said that, I've grown it for years.  It's great for soup and stirfry 
and the like.  I own it to be more or less a successful crop but it is 
never as big or tightly wrapped as the grocery story variety.

Plant some more.  It doesn't require all that cool of temperatures.  Try a 
seedbed in the garden that is very loose but not so very fertile such as 
lots of sand.  When you loosen the soil in a few weeks, the tiny plants 
should 
have an enormous beard of roots.  Transplant them very small, no more than 
2" tall.  Transplant them more than once if need be,  I often do this.

Plowed the cornfield today with the horse.  We are both tired puppies.



James