Re: Made my first cross today!

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Billy,

 

Just be careful when you strip the plant this early.  The parts are brittle and break easily.  I don't remove the standards and falls, but I rarely get anything that looks like it doesn't 'fit' the general seed population.  The big bumbys are a potential danger but also the little crawly things. 

 

It's important to strip the entire stalk once the pods have been set for awhile.   It's easy to knock out a tiny pod if you do it too early.  Strip off all the leaves and spath material.  They hold moisture and encourage rot.   You want a nude stalk with pods.  I've found it beneficial to stake the pod parents.