Let me first say that I used the search function, but couldn't find a very good answer, which struck me as odd, considering I would think this was a common newbie question. Anyway...
I am a first time grower this year, and I am hooked. Unfortunately inexperience led me to start my peppers a bit too early (middle January.. I am in Z6/7 in SW VA) and I am getting a bit worried about their size. I have them under a 432W T5 system and have been cutting back on light time, increasing light height above plants, and lowering the temperature of the closet that these guys are growing in to slow them down for another 3 weeks or so until they go outside. I have also been taking them outside on warm days to gradually harden them off so the final hardening will not be as difficult on them.
Here is a pic of my closet, which includes Bolivian Rainbows( elevated in the center... these are the ones that were attacked by some larvae of some sort), Cayenne, Long Red Cayenne, Orange Habanero, Early Jalapeno, Tabasco, Bhut Jolokia, and some tomatoes:
The long reds and tabascos are in the back rows at the ends, and they are about 12" high. All plants are in 6" wide/deep azalea pots.
At what point are these ppepperss too large for these pots? Despite my efforts and because of my inexperience, I am not sure as to when these pots will be too small for the plants, thus hurting their development later.
Any thoughts? Should I move them to larger pots and move them somewhere out of the closet?
Thanks in advance!
Adam
I am a first time grower this year, and I am hooked. Unfortunately inexperience led me to start my peppers a bit too early (middle January.. I am in Z6/7 in SW VA) and I am getting a bit worried about their size. I have them under a 432W T5 system and have been cutting back on light time, increasing light height above plants, and lowering the temperature of the closet that these guys are growing in to slow them down for another 3 weeks or so until they go outside. I have also been taking them outside on warm days to gradually harden them off so the final hardening will not be as difficult on them.
Here is a pic of my closet, which includes Bolivian Rainbows( elevated in the center... these are the ones that were attacked by some larvae of some sort), Cayenne, Long Red Cayenne, Orange Habanero, Early Jalapeno, Tabasco, Bhut Jolokia, and some tomatoes:
The long reds and tabascos are in the back rows at the ends, and they are about 12" high. All plants are in 6" wide/deep azalea pots.
At what point are these ppepperss too large for these pots? Despite my efforts and because of my inexperience, I am not sure as to when these pots will be too small for the plants, thus hurting their development later.
Any thoughts? Should I move them to larger pots and move them somewhere out of the closet?
Thanks in advance!
Adam
