stc3248's 2014 small wild grow

RocketMan · Apr 30, 2014

EOD, had a buddy back on Ft Stewart that was EOD. Every night when he got home his wife would hold a finger and toe inspection. If he had 10 and 10 he got a kiss

It's great that the kids will be stabilized for another 3 years. I was able to keep my kids stabilized for the last 6 years of my career and it made a big difference to them.

How's the Pomegranate doing? That's going to be so cool if you can get it to make a sphere!

Cheers

Pulpiteer · Apr 30, 2014

So, I had to look up EOD - that's dealing with explodey things, right? I'm thankful you guys are willing to sacrifice like that - your family too. Glad your family gets to stay put for awhile. I imagine that is one of the bigger stresses for you with any sort of change - how it affects them. Keep safe Shane!

stc3248 · May 3, 2014

Thanks errybody! For those asking, my next job is sea duty, but we'll be more of a fly away team. Our primary duty will be to use remote submersibles to chart and document harbor floors. Pretty cool stuff, but I will be gone a lot.

It's been super hot here lately, over 100 pretty much every day this week. To add to the heat we had Santa Anna winds up over 70 mph and my drip system went down just after I left for almost two weeks...plants looked terrible when I got back, but I don't think I lost any. I watered them yesterday and they perked up, but with some pretty obvious damage done. The Jals and Green Chiles took it like a champ...as did the volunteer on crack. Here are a few pics of how things look.

The volunteer and the volunteer on crack growing like weeds...literally.

This is one of the Jalafuegos...their growth is very fast and sturdy...and the production looks like it'll be good too, but

The Mucho Nachos which aren't quite as quick to grow look like they'll be heavier producers. I grew these year before last and they were very productive. I suppose time will tell which of these hybrids has the edge in heat, production, flavor and resilience.

Here is one of the growdown Aji Chuncho plants starting to pick up a little steam finally...

More volunteers...Explosive Embers

This Chacoense Var. Exile got topped by the wind, going to be a shrub for sure. Took a while for these to pop, but they're growers for sure.

Another grower is the CGN 19198. Very cool little plant. I thought it was a goner yesterday before I watered it, but it stood tall.

First pods are also setting on the Numex types...this one being a Joe E. Parker.

Here is a patch of the Numex's...Joe E. Parker and Big Jims...with a Fat Tire for scale...and for drinkin.

This volunteer Charapita will round out the first 10 pics...still kicking, and although small not too far off from putting it in the ground on the drip system that is once again operational.

Thanks for checking in folks. Got some bonus pics to post later on.

Devv · May 3, 2014

Glad they hung while the water system had a hiccup!

Overall they look pretty damn good!

Have a great weekend and welcome back!

Dot Com · May 3, 2014

plants looking prolific. A lot of pods setting.

JJJessee · May 4, 2014

+1 on the save.
Must be some tough plants to make it through that.
And they set some poddage to boot.

Fat Tire has a new label?

PaulG · May 4, 2014

Volunteers? Have you bribed Andy's boss?
That's too awesome, Shane.
Your 'little wild' grow is looking good!

Let's average out our temperatures this week, and we'll be perfect 80's!

stc3248 · May 20, 2014

I'm still kicking errybody! Been out of town for a WHILE...but got back on Sunday. I finally snapped a few of what's going on. A month with only a handful of days home has the weeds taking over, but overall pretty good. To make matters worse...the internet has been down hard for a couple weeks at the barracks, they finally got it fixed yesterday. The fires were knocking at the doorstep, while I was gone...and mama and the kids were freaking out a little. At one point they were burning on all sides of our house, but our address stayed just outside the evacuation zone.

Devv said:
Glad they hung while the water system had a hiccup!

Overall they look pretty damn good!

Have a great weekend and welcome back!

One casualty from the previous water system failure appears to be the big Birgits...it got funky and isn't pulling out. I may cut her way back and see if she comes back, but it ain't looking too good. No biggie, I didn't wanna have to climb up there to pick them anyway.

Dot Com said:
plants looking prolific. A lot of pods setting.

Thanks Dot! There moving right along in spite of my crazier than normal schedule!

JJJessee said:
+1 on the save.
Must be some tough plants to make it through that.
And they set some poddage to boot.

Fat Tire has a new label?

I don't remember when Fat Tire changed it...but it is different??? Thanks on the kudos...very lucky.

PaulG said:
Volunteers? Have you bribed Andy's boss?
That's too awesome, Shane.
Your 'little wild' grow is looking good!

Let's average out our temperatures this week, and we'll be perfect 80's!

Haha...our weather and the fires have been just plain nuts this year. 60+ MPH winds don't usually happen this time of year, but we sure got them...and the damn heat to go with it. This week we're getting a break with our normal 70 something days and 50 something nights...

Well...like I said, the plants are doing better than expected, so I got no real complaints.

Jalapeno row...

Mucho Nachos are throwing some out...

As are the Jalafuegos which are a bit larger at this point but with a more slender profile. They're both supposedly jumbo types...The Mucho Nachos I grew a couple years ago were bigger than average, but far from jumbo...but they made up for it in production.

Here is my Numex area. Some of what you see in there with them aren't weeds...but much of it is. I have a few weeks of leave coming up in June, and hopefully I can get them out of there and finally get them mulched.

Joe E. Parkers are podding up nicely...

But the Big Jims are really going to town...Will be a nice year of roasting and preserving something that isn't a WMD grade biohazard.

The volunteers and the volunteer on crack are still chugging along...with very little help from me. They're begging to bloom and set some pods as well.

Here is the Chacoense Var. Exile from John that got topped...really taking off!

The other Chacoense plant is doing some of this... :dance:

Finally the first wild to set a pod...the Wally World Tepin!!! :party:

It for now...10's the limit. Maybe some more tomorrow.

Oh...almost forgot, be watching the news. The "device" we were loading out in Kauai at PMRF will be launched tonight. May even make the news??? :shh:

Pulpiteer · May 21, 2014

Good to hear from you! Look at all those pods! You're so skilled you do your grow from long distance.
Sorry to hear about the big Birgits. Hopefully she'll come back. She was an inspiration to so many.

PaulG · May 21, 2014

Shane, welcome back, buddy!

Not bad for a long distance grow - Andy is right!

70's and 50's? We had one of those today!

Really glad to hear that your family was safe, and your home too.

KiNGDeNNiZ · May 21, 2014

you sure do have tons of volunteers..lol

stickman · May 21, 2014

Glad to hear your plants did well mostly while you were away Shane. The fires are a real drag but glad your place was spared. Excellant pod porn too! Good on ya!

stc3248 · May 21, 2014

Thanks y'all...this is what I've been up to.

http://www.heraldonline.com/2014/05/21/5983206/aegis-ashore-launches-standard.html

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aegis-ashore-launches-standard-missile-3-for-first-time-260089281.html

http://www.prunderground.com/natos-missile-defense-system-becomes-real-says-mdaa/0037446/

Very cool...of all the teams worldwide that could have been selected to load this $10,000,000 weapon, mine was chosen. First ever load of a shore based aegis system with this weapon...first ever launch. If I get some pics and vids that I am allowed to share I will post them up.

PaulG · May 21, 2014

Feather in your cap, Chief!

No wonder ya been busy!

Jeff H · May 21, 2014

Very cool new toy the Government gave you to play with.

Peppers are looking good buddy and the volunteers are a hoot. Especially the crack one. Glad you stayed safe from the fires. :eek:

Glad we don't deal with that around here.

But the Big Jims are really going to town...Will be a nice year of roasting and preserving something that isn't a WMD grade biohazard.

How in the world were you thinking of preserving them? Surely you must be getting into canning since I know your freezer is still full.

Devv · May 21, 2014

Welcome back Shane!

Your grow hung in there really well and is looking good too!

Nice to see all the poddage, although I'm sad to read the birgit is having a rough time.

Great work with the Aegis system too!

Enjoy the break!

maximumcapsicum · May 21, 2014

Excellent updates Shane! Sorry you had to be away and missed a watering. That is stressful. Glad that the damage was minor. Looks like your chuncho hasn't missed a beat. What are you feeding that guy?

Loving the explosive embers. Almost 50x50 purple/green leaves on that guy. Is it purely ornamental? If so, how do the pods look?

stc3248 · May 23, 2014

PaulG said:
Feather in your cap, Chief!

No wonder ya been busy!

Yeah Paul, the sweat pumps were flowing full on for this evolution. It had attention at the very highest levels and one of the highest potential causes for failure was actually loading the thing into the launcher. We swing thousands of missiles a year on my base, but to do it in a remote site, with untrained crane and equipment personnel onto a platform that is 30' higher than a ship's deck was worrisome. To top that off, we are not affiliated with the Aegis Ashore facility...so to them we were a variable that needed to be thoroughly investigated prior to the event. They were also a bit concerned that none of us were Gunners Mates or Fire Controllmen..."Minemen...loading our missile???" :shocked:

Lmao...they ended up very impressed and we got an immediate invite to their next event.

Jeff H said:
Very cool new toy the Government gave you to play with.

Peppers are looking good buddy and the volunteers are a hoot. Especially the crack one. Glad you stayed safe from the fires. Glad we don't deal with that around here.

How in the world were you thinking of preserving them? Surely you must be getting into canning since I know your freezer is still full.

Thanks Jeff!!! See above about the toy...as for the peppers, they are really doing well. We had a nice week fire free and relatively cool compared to recent weeks, so the plants had a nice growth spurt. As for the preservation of the Numex Chiles...I roast, peel and seed them and store them in quart freezer bags. That is about the right amount to thaw and use without worry of them going bad. I also ferment and sauce them which is one of the families favorites. I may also make some roasted tomatoes with green chiles and can it for Chile Con Queso...mmmmm.

maximumcapsicum said:
Excellent updates Shane! Sorry you had to be away and missed a watering. That is stressful. Glad that the damage was minor. Looks like your chuncho hasn't missed a beat. What are you feeding that guy?

Loving the explosive embers. Almost 50x50 purple/green leaves on that guy. Is it purely ornamental? If so, how do the pods look?

Thanks MC! Yeah...stuff happens when you run a grow like mine. Little over site means a usually small error has the opportunity to become a disaster before discovered. I really wish someone else in the family would get into gardening...I had hopes for my son, but video games and youtube are his passions when he isn't on the football field. The Explosive Embers are beautiful plants, but their flavor isn't the best...not horrible, but not exactly delicious either. They make decent powder/flakes when mixed with some garlic/onion powders. The pods start off a deep purple and ripen to a fire engine red...very stunning when loaded with pods.

Aight...so 'nuther little update!!!

Mucho Nacho pods are starting to get some size to them...with some "companion" Nasturtiums in front and some not companion bermuda grass behind...and in front...and beside...

Jalafugos said..."I'll see your size Mr. Nacho...and raise you an inch or so!" They are both doing exceptionally well!!!

The canopies on the Numex types are starting to really fill out...

and the undercarriage...

and the next wild to set...

John's Chacoense Var. Exile!!! :dance:

The "volunteer" (not) PI438438s??? Are loading up also...

Can you spot the little friendly in this pic???

Maters are setting too!!! Only two plants this season, one here and one at the Barracks.

As are the Tomatillos!!!

Finally...everything is now in full bloom around here...Lilies and Gladiolus are really stunning this year. They all volunteered as well!

It for now folks...will try to stay more active on here, still got some craziness going on at work, but hopefully it will all work out soon.

Shane

stickman · May 24, 2014

Excellent work Chief! Errybody looks happy! Can you tell yet if the companion plantings are working for you?

Things are still pretty cold here at night, but I'm starting to get pods on my NuMex and Hungarian varieties, and Lourens' Piri Piri plant. Your Texas Pequins are about 8 inches tall and looking very green and happy while they wait for warmer weather to kick into higher gear. I managed to successfully OW the Manzano you sent last year, and it's leafed out very well. I think I see the beginnings of flower buds at the nodes, so it should be a great producer this year as well. Cheers!

Devv · May 24, 2014

Nice update Shane!

Glad everything is moving along nicely for you. I see poppers soon!