Untitled Document

FLAXCAM - Chapter 3 - Blooming

FLAXCAM - Chapter 4 - Harvest Comes

LAUSEN ENGINE

The flax is now ca. 18 inches tall.

The first buds are building.

It won't be long before the first blossoms turn the plot into a pale blue beauty.

June 28, 2001

"Knee High by the 4th of July" - OK, that's for corn. The tallest plants are now just over 30" tall and starting to blossom.

Over the weekend we'll go out during the day and take another photo - the blooms close at dusk.

July 3, 2001

30" - 35" high, the plants are looking healthy and developing a sturdy stem. Rather than all at once the blossoms open a few at a time. They are rather shy, closing at dusk.

July 8, 2001

The plants are now ca. 3 feet tall. Most of the blossoms have fallen off.

Note how few seed pods are perched atop each plant and how late the branching takes place. This is the difference between fiber and oil flax - the oil flax branches to produce profuse seed capsules at 12 - 18".

July 14, 2001

INTRODUCING RUTH -

She's a spinner and weaver, too. Ruth graciously allowed us to use this plot of land to plant the crop. Its on her father's farm - now worked by her nephews.

The plot is set low along a small drainage ditch which has provided optimal moisture for the flax in spite of a month with very little rain.

Seed capsules are now well formed and straggling plants are catching up.

July 21, 2001