Cap's 2013 Log - First grow

This is my first planned out grow season with hot peppers. After starting a semi successful garden last year and having some failure assorted hot peppers due to a hungry cat I am determined to grow them this season.

With limited room and a short grow season in CT I don't have a large selection and plan to keep a few to winter over and get peppers year round.

The short hot list:
Bhut Jolokia
Peruvian purple

Sweets:
Mini multi colored bells mix
Multicolored bell mix

Currently I have my seedlings in the bottom of my hydroponics tote under a 2' 4 tube T5 light (6000K bulbs).

The purples got mold and only one survived ): but is doing well now.

Will post more once they get bigger!

 

[pepperproblem]

so far, so good, good luck!

 

[Dshlogg]

Good start. Welcome aboard the SS. Pepper Addiction. Next stop ........... More plants!
Good luck!

 

[ThePepperManiac]

off to a good start congrats

 

[Capsicum Select]

Thanks!

I did have a potential scare with mushrooms due to overwatering a little but I will take the guidance that peppers like it a little dry in between watering.
See this thread for the mushies -> http://thehotpepper.com/topic/38515-the-fungus-among-us/

 

[Capsicum Select]

A much delayed update after the fungus seems to have dissipated.

All my peppers are doing pretty well. A little bit of yellowing on some due to over watering. Still learning exactly what they like. I have a fan on them now too. They all seem to be growing fairly well, some stronger than others but definite new growth with each passing day. My lettuce, kale, and basil has taken off too. I will have to get those into something else soon.

I can add Jimmy Nardello, and Cubanelle to my grow list now thanks to SanPatricio. I'm excited to have the variety with some sweet and super hot.

I should be potting up soon and getting the aeroponics setup going once they get a little bigger. I think I will have to get another 2' 4 tube T5 fixture too.

Complimentary pics:

Current setup with fan.

Single prized purple:

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Capsicum Select]

While I have been off busy with work and school I have managed to get a solid pepper jungle going! This is quite a big update starting from those little seedlings in the previous post.
 
Once they grew out a little bit I got the mad scientist experimental hydro/aeroponic setup ready to go.
 

 
It's some what simple with a 200 gph pump, 1/2” pvc and 360 degree misters. There are 10 three inch net cup holes in it as well. I spaced one end a little further apart to put peppers on that side.
 
 

 
I had a little bit of a dilemma in creating something to hang the lighting from. I decided that PVC tubing would be sturdy enough and probably the easiest to make something with limited tools/garage space. I ended up building a frame with two sliding rails on the top. The legs are also inserted into larger tubing with carriage bolts through it at 2” intervals so I can adjust the height even more.
 

 
 
Next I sealed it up filled it with 20 gallons of nutrient solution and got everyone in there new homes:
 

 
 
I am using growstones for the media: http://www.growstone.com/
 
 


I apparently failed at the waterproofing as I quickly sprung some leaks and had to amend the situation with silicone caulk. Was definitely too excited in getting it up and running to get everything sealed properly.
 
Peppers in there homes: Mixed up Bhut Jolokia and mini/reg bells
 

 
 
Things were a little cramped for a while with the extra's starting to get a little leggy too:
 

 
 
Eventually got everyone potted up into Root Pouches which I am excited to see the results with considering I know how root bound I tend to let things get O.o
 

 
 
I used cardboard to separate them for the time being as some will be planted out in the raised bed once the weather gets warmer.
 
 
 


Netting doing its job in keeping monster from nomming all the plants!
 

 
 


Fast forward a couple weeks and I now have a proper jungle in the corner of my living room!
 

 

 
 
 


Peruvian Purple potted up:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/8743022910_25f6fc3767_c.jpg

 

[KiNGDeNNiZ]

what happpen to your glog...

 

[Capsicum Select]

It kind of died in the depths of everyone else's. Now that I have a bump I can post more pics and update!

Many thanks on the MoA Bonnets too my friend is going to like those a lot.

 

[Capsicum Select]

So it's been a while.  I have learned a ton in my first real season growing and am finally getting some results on the supers.
 
Starting from where we left off the experimental hydro setup worked really well. Bhuts and bells got huge and were growing so rapid I had to transplant them out.  I was trimming them with the lights as high as they would go about every 3 days. I also have the most massive basil plant I've seen in my life.
 
Here are pics of them before and after transplant into 5 gallon pouches:

 
So the bug bit me hard on wanting every variety I could get my hands on and I rationalized to myself that I could overwinter a couple different species from late starts.  I what I figured would turn into maybe 6 overwinters quickly turned into giving me a total of 20+ thanks to Judy at pepperlover.com
 

Bought:

 
EXTRAS!

 
Grow List Update
C. Chinense:
Bhut Jolokia
White Bhut Jolokia
Blue Mystery
7Pod Original Red
7Pod Orange
Trinidad Smooth
Trinidad Perfume
Datil
Aji Panca
Pimenta de Neyde
Wild Brazil
 
C. Annuum:
Peruvian Purple
Jimmy Nardello
Cubanelle
Wild Tepin
Jalapeno “Cracked”
Pasilla de Oaxaca
Bell (mixed color)
Mini Bell (mixed color)
Cayenetta
 
C. Baccatum:
Dedo de Moca
Aji Limon Peru Yellow
 
C. Galapagoanse
 
 

I have at least one of each. The wild brazil's didn't make it though. Only 2 of 8 germ'd. They didn't make it due to letting them out of there cozy humidity dome too early.  On the other hand every single white bhut did and now I have 8 of those with one at work.
 
This is my little pepper farm on the rock in my backyard. 

 
One thing I have looked into quite a bit is soil composition and ideal nutrient profile.  This is a vast area that is sometimes more overwhelming than anything with tons of variables in it but I got the interest from Matt, MGOLD86 when he posted a video of how to make "super soil" in his glog.
 
Right now for potting up the little ones I am using a mix of:
 Vermiculite
 Fox Farms Ocean Forest
 Coast of Main Lobster Compost
 Perlite
 Top soil
 Dr. Earth Organic 7 (4-4-4 Blend)
 
I'm still working on a good ratio and think that I have it but am awaiting results. It drains very well but still retains moisture well so I don't have to worry about watering every other day. Between everything I think I have a good blend of required nutrients but would still like to get some azomite for a complete profile.

 
Here is the first poddage on one of the Bhuts:

 
Can't wait to start harvesting. Happy growing!

 

[Capsicum Select]

Well I'm starting to get some red on the bhuts finally which is wicked exciting.  I also got a small mixed box from MGOLD86 and did a review on the Bhut Jolokia Assam.  It is quite the scorcher and definitely has some good flavor that lasts through the burn. Here's some pics and the review:

[youtube] width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eVPNxIfW_Ks" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen [/youtube]

 

[Capsicum Select]

Everything is trucking along pretty well in the garden. It is starting to cool off though so I hope that these start ripening up quick. Should have a decent harvest if they do and some big healthy plants to OW.

aand a Labor Day camping trip photo:

 

[Spicegeist]

Some nice spiky pods there...

 

[Capsicum Select]

Thanks! It is interesting to see the variation between a few of the bhut plants I have. The seeds are sourced from refiningfirechiles. Most are spiky like that but there are a few that are more smooth and then the one that the pods start out very pale green and fairly smooth, with just a little bumpiness to them.

 

[WalkGood]

Arrik, very nice grow you have going, love the plant and pod pictures so I hit “follow.” While I like dem all, I really love the look of the variegated (pale green) Bhut, I have a JA Hab that does the same. Hoping da Pepper Jah ripens them up for you soon, have a great week!

 

[Capsicum Select]

Arrik, very nice grow you have going, love the plant and pod pictures so I hit “follow.” While I like dem all, I really love the look of the variegated (pale green) Bhut, I have a JA Hab that does the same. Hoping da Pepper Jah ripens them up for you soon, have a great week!

Thanks Ramon! They are showing signs of turning with orange shoulders. Got one bhut that is full red. I definitely plan to OW the pale green one. I think it's very fitting for a "Ghost" pepper!

 

[Capsicum Select]

Some more pics to update the garden...
 
One of my little buddies:

 
Who says bhuts aren't productive? Look at how many are at that node!

 
Orange shoulders, we're starting to get ripe!

 
I really like this one!

 
Almost ripe. Hard to tell but it still has an orange hue.

 
I do believe the galapa has a pod forming!

 
Bhuts on the same plant. The temp drop is effecting them I think.

 
And finally the first totally ripe pod. Tongue bhut!

 
Definitely           I ate a little piece of it as I coudlnt resist and got the most intense lip burn.

 

 

 

[Capsicum Select]

Well its time to prep for overwintering so I pulled all the pods on my plants. A lot of non-ripe bhuts but from the ripe ones I have tasted off these so far they are HOT.

The haul:

I plan on making a green sauce with the unripe ones. I will keep this thread up to date on that. Maybe I will do a ferment too.


On a different topic, the Blue Mystery from Judy (pepperlover.com) is a crazy fast grower and has some really cool flowers. It would be great for a gnarly trained bonchi plant I think.

The flower from it:

Also, I have one Galapa pod!

 

[capsidadburn]

Beautiful plants!  Looks like you'll be loaded with over winters!
 
Mike

 

[Capsicum Select]

Thanks Mike! That's the plan!