PIC 1's......Pod Pornage.............2012

Here's the start on my grow log. Well no pods yet but I have to start somewhere, and away we go!

The seeds in the containers are all c.chinense. They were dunked in a germinating solution for an over-nighter on December 1st.
This was the first phase of the germination process with plantings happening every 2 weeks through the month of January.
The annum species and the mild/medium strains will get planted late Jan through early Feb.

Most of these are "Super-hots.

Here's a shot from today, things are looking up and up.

Here's a unique looking seedling. It has 3 cotyledon's and a set of 3 true leaves. The seedling is a Trinidad Scorpion Green, seeds are from Chris (cc). I've seen the triple cotyledon with my Coronong's but not the triple set of true leaves at the same time

Here's another seedling that caught my eye. The leaves are as dark purple as my Dutch.Hot's. This one's the Purple Bhut Jolokia seeds were also from Chris. I know the leaves will eventually turn green.....but right now they look pretty...

Did somebody say "Purple"......Here's one of my overwinters. The Maui Purple. The flowers have set and soon the chili's will form...........yea

And finally another overwinter and was an over-achiever/producer last season. That's why its here. It's's the TS Butch T

More to follow, soon

Greg

 

[PIC 1]

Once again great update Greg, I missed it this morning and was wondering if everything was going okay for ya, Glad to see that it obviously is lol. That overwinter shot is great, they're going to take off, your gonna have peppers in April lol. Great shot of everything you use.. Makes me feel good to know I have a little over half of what your using ha! PS.. You got some photography skills my friend.

Brandon

Thanks, I was busy last weekend. This weekends update will be on Saturday. I just have to figure out what to shoot. I'm up to 300 plants all in 5" containers. I just started looking at my tomato seed packets, and I've got some comps coming in from a few companies.
I'm glad to hear that your powers up and running. Here at Chicago's O'hare Airport we use to have 4- 747 turbine eng generator packages useds as part of the hvac and
misc underground lighting, The airport is a self sufficent city. Kinda like Dizzy World. When the engines would fire up, High db head phones and sign language would need to be used.......anyways so much for P/out's
You need to update your grow-log, quite hiding your plants.........lol

Greg

Excellent looking plants and advice Greg! Truely you are a pepper wiz!

It's just a hobby................thanks man, alot of this is basic knowledge and common sense

Greg

Damn! Every time I think my plants are looking good...someone comments on you glog and I have to come over her and get jealous all over again!

Haha, no way man............although I scan through everone elses. Its always cool to see different set-ups. An exciting to see some 1st seedling shots...
I can easily spend 2 hrs a day, in the grow area's, but I don't anymore. Now that the plants are moving up into larger pots there's less maintaince. Its
fun just to check out all the glogs. Many more than last year. And alot of the larger growers haven't started theirs up yet.
Thanks for the reply

Greg

 

[S.S.Tupperware]

Nicepics, everything is lookin goot...

 

[patrick]

Greg it's just pure joy to read this log. Always leaves a smile on my face. Thank you.

 

[TheWindyCity]

Hey Greg! Talked with you at 31st St today. Impressed beyond words with your set up and results!! I'm going to need to ask you a lot of questions. I'll start with two, however.

- On the grow lights - do you have these on a timer or do you leave these on 24/7

- Do you use heaters to maintain a higher temp than the basement ambient when you first plant the seeds?

Steve

 

[PIC 1]

Greg it's just pure joy to read this log. Always leaves a smile on my face. Thank you.

Thanks Patrick,
I see a few threads regarding Fungus Gnats, I didn't realise they could be such a problem.
Every year there's always a few, and then a few more. I overwinter, take cuttings from flowers, bring my tropicals in before winter. Everything brought back in gets cleaned and replaced with new soil. Still the pests come out of the bags of soil. Most bags that I buy such as the professional mixes are bought from local nurserys that store their products in a greenhouse that's basically outdoors. That could be the problem since most bags can have the smallest of holes in them.
I things aphids are a larger scale problem. I haven't see any indoors for years. The last time I had some they were on some Cali Wonders I had Started.....I thought they weren't on the hot pepper plants, they finally were. That was April, a warm month and I was able to bring all plants out to harden off. Between the spray of the hose, the wind and eventually a group of lady bugs all was taking care of.
None since, back then I used worm castings, bone and blood meal indoors, Hyponex (heavy)potting soil (that goes to show you how long ago this was....ha). None of that is used indoors, rather outdoors from now on. I feel like those products were the breeding grounds for the pests. After looking at my outdoor compost pile and seeing what breeds in it before and during the heat process, it makes sense to me about leaving that "stuff" outdoors.

Good luck with you plants, I'm checking your postings and replies

Greg

Hey Greg! Talked with you at 31st St today. Impressed beyond words with your set up and results!! I'm going to need to ask you a lot of questions. I'll start with two, however.

- On the grow lights - do you have these on a timer or do you leave these on 24/7

- Do you use heaters to maintain a higher temp than the basement ambient when you first plant the seeds?

Steve

Hey Steve,
Welcome aboard...I use 6 timers, (mechanical) all probably rated at 1850w. With all my lights running we're looking at over 5000w. I re-wired a couple of runs to 20a . My main is 200a....I'm currently running 24/7 for the seedlings until they get transplanted to 3" pots that's usually around the 3 wk mark, those move to a series of lights for a 18/6 cycle.Even at that I don't have a dark period, since my lights are overlapping with the time cycles. By Apr/May I'm down to 16/8 with all lights. At that point I'll have tomatoes, cukes, summer squash and herbs.....all established and ready to be gradually taken outdoors.

The seeds are started in a different area that runs around 84 degrees, that's with 2 fans running. My sub-basement with the lights on at plant level is 75 deg elsewhere down there is 67ish......

talk to you later, time to hit the Dan Ryan

Greg

 

[PaulG]

Just had to check back into your grow log to see what I'm supposed to do next!
Your lighting/cooling set up sounds awesome. I will never grow on the scale that
you are - just hoping to find a few reliable varities I can grow in my garden 'system',
but watching your plants develop is nonetheless a great motivator. You Chicago
guys do okay!

 

[PIC 1]

Just had to check back into your grow log to see what I'm supposed to do next!
Your lighting/cooling set up sounds awesome. I will never grow on the scale that
you are - just hoping to find a few reliable varities I can grow in my garden 'system',
but watching your plants develop is nonetheless a great motivator. You Chicago
guys do okay!

Thanks Paul,

I just checked out your grow logs and your seedlings are right on par................ ..............isn't this weather crazy?
I was in the yard yesterday and I can see some perennials poking through the ground. I know we're not over the snow in a long run, but we're over the hump with the extreme cold. Spring is only a "stone's throw away"

Greg

 

[patrick]

Thanks Paul,

I just checked out your grow logs and your seedlings are right on par................ ..............isn't this weather crazy?
I was in the yard yesterday and I can see some perennials poking through the ground. I know we're not over the snow in a long run, but we're over the hump with the extreme cold. Spring is only a "stone's throw away"

Greg

Man I so hope you're right about the extreme cold being done. As for the snow the weather guessers are calling for a foot of the stuff here between midnight tonight and Saturday night. Wonderful. I see Denver is already getting pounded. Supposed to miss you guys.

 

[meatfreak]

It's snowing over here also now, already 3" wich is alot for here nobody expected this anymore since it was 10°C last week Hopefully spring will follow soon after this.

 

[PaulG]

Thanks Paul,

................ ..............isn't this weather crazy?
Greg

No kidding, Greg - we are going to have had a week of sunny weather by
next Tuesday w/ temps in the mid-50's. Lots of emerging growth on the
trees and my fuschias leafing out like mad. Not abnormal for Feb.Mar here,
but earlier than usual. My thumb is getin' itchy!

I'm sorry you are gettin' pounded, Patrick and Meatfreak Will try to
wish some sun breaks your way.

 

[PIC 1]

Here's a quick weekend update

Here's some containers on the floor flanked by some overwinters

An African Bird............flipping me "the chilli"

Here's the Purple Bhut Jolokia......starting to get a few buds

7 Pot Primo (cc)

Aji Chombo

Bird's eye Baby

Hawaiian Waialua

Here's a shot of 2 Morouga's (tall) and 2 Chocolate Scorpions (short) compared with a long neck, 9"....?

And finally a shot in the sub-basement ....224 peppers in 5 1/4 containers...

til next week.....thanks for checking this out

Greg

 

[PepperJam]

Wow that is awesome. How long did that take to pot up and water? Hope mine look like yours. Thanks for sharing.

 

[stc3248]

<---Once again feeling inferior.

Really??? C'mon man! Freaking amazing...AGAIN!

 

[SocalChilehead]

Wow just amazing Greg pepper heaven right in your own home.

 

[Pr0digal_son]

And to think,he is a better cook. Teehee Your talents have no bounds my friend.

 

[omega]

Wow! That's quite impressive Greg! Can't wait to see your progress.

 

[BigCedar]

Psssssst....

Told you that you were gonna kill the glog section this year

My lord Greg.. You don't quite understand but being the guy that buys 1000s of pepper starts every April.. Seeing yours makes me want to tell the seller to learn how to grow before he sends me another plant lol. I can't believe the growth rate of your plants. As cool as it is to watch I honestly wouldn't want mine to grow that fast lol. You gotta be so busy.. I'll be using your techniques when I retire

Great update once again my friend.
Brandon

 

[PIC 1]

Wow that is awesome. How long did that take to pot up and water? Hope mine look like yours. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the comp,

To stay organized I try to transplant to larger containers in stages. Right know I'm caught up, all my established 3" container plants are moved up to 5 1/4 " containers. I try to pot up 32 plants a night. I don't have to water but every third day, but the cell inserts with the new seedlings and the 3 inchers new to be monitored every day. One of my grow area is running 84 degrees. I water when needed but not too much.....since I'm running 57% humidity. Thus the soil stays damp for a short period.

Pepperjam, your plants will look like mine if not better some general care...........remember be easy on any chemicals that you use and your plants will reward you in the long run...

Greg

<---Once again feeling inferior.

Really??? C'mon man! Freaking amazing...AGAIN!

My plants thank you for the praise..............

Greg

Wow just amazing Greg pepper heaven right in your own home.

Yes, it's very tropical around here between the house plants and the grow rooms.....no need to run a humidfier in the winter...........but a dehumidfier....I have two..........

Greg

And to think,he is a better cook. Teehee Your talents have no bounds my friend.

Thanks, again..........If I could only relax my golf swing............Sha..........wing!

Greg

Psssssst....

Told you that you were gonna kill the glog section this year

My lord Greg.. You don't quite understand but being the guy that buys 1000s of pepper starts every April.. Seeing yours makes me want to tell the seller to learn how to grow before he sends me another plant lol. I can't believe the growth rate of your plants. As cool as it is to watch I honestly wouldn't want mine to grow that fast lol. You gotta be so busy.. I'll be using your techniques when I retire

Great update once again my friend.
Brandon

Thanks Brandon,
Busy or dizzy......I've been there...Sure it takes time, I still work during the week. No more side work on the weekends .....I just don't want it.
My kids are grown, so now I have time for my hobbies.
When I was in my 20,s I would buy some starts of peppers and tomatoes from the local greenhouses. They would start there plants from seed and use the ambient light through the window panes.to promote growth. I'd purchase scrawney plants 6" tall in a 6 pack. The plants would only have 3 sets of leaves, tall and spindley. I'd still get a crop, of bell peppers , Marconi or Gypsys. But I was never satified with the starts. So I decided to give it a whirl myself. After fine tuning it for many years I feel pretty comfortable growing year in year out. I dedicate about 2 hrs an evening with chores.....Soon I'll need to take a break from it for a day or two. But, I'll make sure I'll water everything ahead of time.

Thanks for checking this out....

Greg

Wow! That's quite impressive Greg! Can't wait to see your progress.

Thanks omega,

I'm glad I started this grow log from the beginning. Last year I started from the plantout to the final harvest. This year I'll have some new varieties with some photos to boot...

Greg

 

[Trippa]

Nice work Greg ... again another top update. Loving the different variaties you have in there. Now what in your opinion makes the ideal humidity for growth rates without risking fungal issues? ? Is your 59% an ideal or just what you happen to have??

 

[PIC 1]

Nice work Greg ... again another top update. Loving the different variaties you have in there. Now what in your opinion makes the ideal humidity for growth rates without risking fungal issues? ? Is your 59% an ideal or just what you happen to have??

I wish I could keep the humidity down in the 40's. The only thing that high humdity does is give you "fatter " leaves.....and as you said "fungal issues" It would help me considerably to put an ehaust fan out the wall. I would have to justify it with my wife. So for now I'm using a dehumidifier running 24/7.
At this time I'm up to over 430 plants. So in combination of watering and the cooking that I do everyday adds to the moisture evaporation in the air. The plant total will get widdled down to the most vigorous 300 buy April.
Speaking of cooking check out the "cast iron" throwdown in the throwndown forums.....voting started today and will complete tomorrow....

My entry is the " Blackened Bison Bacon Burger".....thanks for checking this out folks....more plant updates later in the week!

Greg