First, the Stevia seeds. They were $4.95 for 15 seeds - expensive. I checked the size of the seed and they are large enough to deal with each seed, thank goodness. This Stevia plant's leaves are 30 times sweeter than sugar. A single plant will yield up to 1/2 pound of dried leaves. Matures in 16-18 weeks. The height is 12-14 inches. That is about what my present adult plant is. (sockmonkey, I think the one you sent would be called adult now).
I'm planting these seeds in the next several days as it directs: “Six to eight weeks before last anticipated frost, sew seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed starting formula and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 14-21 days. Transplant when seedlings have at least two sets of leaves. Before transfer to garden, accustom to outdoor conditions for a week.”
You can now buy Stevia in a jar where sugar is located in a grocery store - at least my Kroger has it. I think I remember it wasn't cheap but a tiny bit goes a long way as I put 1/4 tsp. in tea and it was very sweet, could have used less.
Supremo Cucumber:
I think I've got too many cucumbers to try out but I'm looking for the best to make sweet relish and Bread and Butter pickles to can. Thanks to sockmonkey, I've got sweet relish right now. Here are the specs on this cucumber:
“3-4” pickling cucumber produces fruit on every node of the restricted 24 inch vine. Harvest young for fresh use. Great disease resistance. Harvest in 56 days.”
It's the usual plant after last frost - cover with 1” soil. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.
There is a hint to grow on stakes or trellis for straight fruits. I have plenty of stakes.
Small Seed planting tip… When I want to place small seeds in a starting medium I wet the end of a toothpick or similar with my tongue and pickup one seed at a time and place them evenly in a cup or tray in my small greenhouse. BTW I wet the planting mix before placing the seeds and very lightly cover them with more mix
It’s important to keep harvesting the cukes in order for the plant to keep producing. It’s also easy to miss a cuke and all of a sudden have a giant one.
I like sweet pickle midgets, and hubby like the larger dills. That’s why I like homemade pickle brand, because you can pick them at all stages.
Also it’s important to process your pickles ASAP - course that is true of all produce.