Aloha,

Sorry to be the one that breaks the news to you, but how many hours of light do the plants get in a day? My bet is that the delay kept your plants from going off. Now as the days grow longer the plant is confused. Does it throw buds that are now or will be soon have too much daylight? The plant does not know weather to bud and die (normal cycle) or to grow out of those buds and grow vegitatively, then bud this fall. So it covers all it's bases. It does both. If (and when) the tips of the buds start to elongate your plant just decided to go long season.

I live 1000 miles north of you. We also have year round growing conditions. I can tell you a seed planted at Christmas will get between a foot and four foot high and bud normaly. Plant the same seed a month later and your plant may bud or it may grow tall. Plant the same seed a week later and it almost cetainly will grow tall.

Every tropical location had a cusp. Plant before the cusp and you pull a great short season harvest. Plant after and the plant gets too much light and goes for the sky. I would ask other growers in your area when they plant for winter. You can also ask when they harvest their short season and count back four months.

As for your other questions pull up a chair and go through the board. You will find that others have asked these questions and have found answers.