Asparagus, help please

[idiotwind]

Need some advice please as a novice asparagus grower.

In a prepared raised bed I planted 5 crowns of gjinlim and 5 Pacific purple. Different suppliers and the gjinlim were in much better condition. Several of the Pacific purple crowns had grown spears in their packaging which were weak and died after planting. All the gjinlim have now grown spears* but none of the Pacific purple. Planted in early March. Is there hope?

*Second question. A squirrel has broken off the spear from one of my crowns. Is there hope for this or is it now dead?

Many Thanks!
Ed

[ameno]

Even if the spears break off, as long as the crown is healthy it should grow more, so I wouldn't worry about that.

The other ones not emerging yet, despite having started growing before planting, is more worrying.
If you remember exactly were they were planted, try gently digging down (with just your hands) to see if you can locate the crown. If it still seems fleshy and sturdy, not rotten or shriveled, then it will probably still grow.

[idiotwind]

Thankyou Ameno. I will have a feel tomorrow.
Ed

[It never rains..it pours]

In my experience Pacific purple are a waste of time. Less than half the yield of gijnlim and a tendancy to not survive planting as well as others. You should get new spears appear in the gijnlim

[idiotwind]

Had a quick check today and scraping the soil away saw a definite new spear coming from one of the Pacific purple crowns!

Regarding the choice of varieties, this was a slow gestating project. Had carefully ordered a mixture of Pacific purple, gijnlim and Guelph millennium from a decent grower. However lockdown put paid to that and I scrambled to get what I could, so as not to lose a season.

Thanks everyone
Ed

[Jongreenfingers]

My Pacific Purple has been a few weeks behind my Connovers Collosal. I wouldn't stress.