Thanks for all the good wishes folks! It's 32 degrees outside this morning, and if the extended forecast can be believed, the overnight lows for the next week are supposed to be in the mid 40's. I'll watch for a few days to see if they're right, and swap out the sheet poly on the hoophouses for agricultural fabric if so. Agribon 19 fabric will still hold a bit of heat, but will let through any rain that comes... That's what I'm waiting for now! Warm spring rains make for the biggest growth spurts.
Nice score form Peri Peri! Sorry to hear about the critters, I had a young Rattler show up under the Maties this afternoon. Not cool!
Very uncool finding a rattler in your garden! Where's that Unlike button... We have Timber Rattlers and Copperheads
here, but they almost never show up in residential areas. They prefer rough terrain with lots of rocks to sun themselves on and hide under. Piles of scree at the base of south-facing rock faces are a favorite home for them.
Sweet score! Jealous of Lourens' King Nagas! They looked amazing.
Weather looks killers there. Dig your compost bin. I have struggled with different things, down to a pill now that i just turn frequently. Hope you can keep the chipmunk at bay!
I know J... Lourens pics and description of the heat and flavor had me drooling! I was really glad he agreed to part with a few seeds. I've never grown Frutascens peppers... I'll have to give some of his Peri-Peri seeds a try next year too.
After skimming through, I have to say, nice glog and it looks like you're on the fast track to an awesome season!
Sorry if this has been mentioned and I missed it, but did the salt petre seem to have a noticeable effect on germination rates?
Hi Taylor, welcome to the zoo! I think the saltpeter solution is useful for softening the seed coats when germinating. Some seeds have really tough seed coats and need the help, like Morning Glories. In peppers I think it's mostly useful in reducing helmet-head in seedlings and making it easier for older seed that's less vigorous to germinate. Here in Massachusetts it's really difficult to find saltpeter, and after the Boston Marathon bombings I expect it'll be even more so. If you want to increase germination percentages I think you'll want to look into Gibberellic acid to assist in breaking dormancy in the seeds.
fantastic Rick. Plants look wonderfully happy.
Hi Pia, have things warmed up yet in Jersey?
Nothing ghetto about that setup! Looks fuctional, practical...and my favorite...FREE!
Looking good Rick! You've come a long way from no supers at the beginning of last year!
Thanks Shane. If you'd have said Junkie I think my wife would agree with you, lol!
Hey Rick -
Glad you got the seeds! Awesome composter man and cleverly. Practical and free - I like!
Plants are looking great... Awesome stems and loads of leaves and pods coming up... I think they are just going to rocket when they hit that dirt!
Thanks again for the seeds Lourens! I'm gonna have to wait until next year to plant the Naga King chiles, but it's definitely gonna happen!
Things are moving forward despite the cold overnight temps... I have flowers on a few more Annuums.
Jalapeno Zapotec
Almapaprika
And the first pod on the Koreans
It got a little dry in there until the condo association got their act together and set up the hoses for irrigation. Between that and mild sunscald some of the peppers are looking a little rocky, but the new growth is all solid now, and they're looking much happier, as shown by the Scotch Bonnet and Butch T. I got in trade from SeanW.
Butch T
Scotch Bonnet
Interestingly enough, one of the Chilhuacle Negro plants is variegated with white like a Fish Pepper. It'll be interesting to see if it carries through to the pods as well.
Cheers All... have a great week!
At least the weather have been great since last week, lot's of sun, although some rain would be nice now since the ground is very dry... typical farmers complaining 
