Mike wrote:

After a few months in the ground I read an old sunset garden book that said
they don’t grow well in So-cal. Right, This doesn’t seem to be working very
well.

Big green plants, but small deformed immature nubs. One plant blew over in
the wind, and after tying it back up has developed an “S” shaped stem.

Should I pull these things up and throw’em in the compost bin?

You would probably find it easier growing Palm Trees in Alaska during the
wintertime.

My guess is you used to work for the government.