Hi guys, first time posting on this forum, but not my first time growing peppers. I've been doing it for at least 6 years now, but yet, I've never had results like anything I've seen on here. SO, I've decided to come here and see the error of my ways!
First a bit about me: college student, growing peppers on an apartment balcony. I used to grow from seed, but for the past few years have started ordering from Cross Country Nurseries and have had what I thought was success. Yeah, right. This year, I've got a bunch of varieties, some that I've grown before, some that I haven't:
1. Red Savina
2. Fatilii
3. Bhut Jolokia
4. Devil's Tongue
5. Biker Billy Jala.
6. Big Red bell
7. Serrano Del Sol
8. Trinidad Scorpion
9. Naga Morich
As of now, I only have the RS, Fatilii, BJ, Jalapeno, bell and Serrano planted. Here's my questions:
1. My soil is a custom blend of the Miracle Gro potting mix, vermiculite, quartz sand, humus/manure compost and earthworm castings. The potting mix and the compost are about 1-1 ratio, the vermiculite about 1/4 and the castings and sand about 1/8. Is this a good soil mix?
2. I top the plants off with mulch since they're outside on my balcony and I'm not too keen on getting anything foreign blowing into my soil. Is that a good idea?
3. I water about once weekly with fish/kelp fertilizers (CCN's brands) with the recommended dosages. Anything to change here?
4. For the ones I have planted, I have three of each plant in a single 16" planter, and plan on doing the same but 4 of the scorpion, DT and NM in a single 16" pot. I notice that most people have a single plant per pot, and not very large pots at that. I've never done that, should I?
Here's a picture of the setup as it is right now (they have only been planted since this past Thursday, aka, 3-4 days). I'm open to any suggestions that you guys can give me because I want to see serious growth this year because every year I improve, but yet nothing comes close to the stuff I've seen on here. You guys are growing trees in comparison to what I've been yielding. Any suggestions are fully welcomed!
Here's a full family shot:
Bhuts:
Fatilii:
Red Savina:
First a bit about me: college student, growing peppers on an apartment balcony. I used to grow from seed, but for the past few years have started ordering from Cross Country Nurseries and have had what I thought was success. Yeah, right. This year, I've got a bunch of varieties, some that I've grown before, some that I haven't:
1. Red Savina
2. Fatilii
3. Bhut Jolokia
4. Devil's Tongue
5. Biker Billy Jala.
6. Big Red bell
7. Serrano Del Sol
8. Trinidad Scorpion
9. Naga Morich
As of now, I only have the RS, Fatilii, BJ, Jalapeno, bell and Serrano planted. Here's my questions:
1. My soil is a custom blend of the Miracle Gro potting mix, vermiculite, quartz sand, humus/manure compost and earthworm castings. The potting mix and the compost are about 1-1 ratio, the vermiculite about 1/4 and the castings and sand about 1/8. Is this a good soil mix?
2. I top the plants off with mulch since they're outside on my balcony and I'm not too keen on getting anything foreign blowing into my soil. Is that a good idea?
3. I water about once weekly with fish/kelp fertilizers (CCN's brands) with the recommended dosages. Anything to change here?
4. For the ones I have planted, I have three of each plant in a single 16" planter, and plan on doing the same but 4 of the scorpion, DT and NM in a single 16" pot. I notice that most people have a single plant per pot, and not very large pots at that. I've never done that, should I?
Here's a picture of the setup as it is right now (they have only been planted since this past Thursday, aka, 3-4 days). I'm open to any suggestions that you guys can give me because I want to see serious growth this year because every year I improve, but yet nothing comes close to the stuff I've seen on here. You guys are growing trees in comparison to what I've been yielding. Any suggestions are fully welcomed!
Here's a full family shot:
Bhuts:
Fatilii:
Red Savina:
.
