• Blog your pepper progress. The first image in your first post will be used to represent your Glog.

allaKAZAAM's Grow Log...!

Hello ALL!
Well, I am finally all moved and almost settled in the new DIGS in the Great Metropolis of Moosonee Ontario... :welcome:
If you are wondering WHERE THE HELL is that..go North of Timmins Ontario and you eventually hit James Bay (which is then part of Hudson's Bay!!!!). Moosonee is about 7 miles south of James Bay.
I have subtly asked quite a few people if they like spicy foods or Hot Chili peppers, and it seems unanimously that NO ONE enjoys hot and/or spicy foods here.
:mope: :tear: :mope:

Though I still have to talk to the few Asian people who live here...
But it seems that only my wife (who's Indonesian) and I like Spicy foods and Hot Peppers.

Moving along...

So, recently I went shopping at the local (actualy the ONE AND ONLY grocery store here!), and they had Jalepeno for sale...almost $4 for 6 medium sized pods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wasn't gonna pay that at all.
So...I thought about it and I NEED to start growing some plants NOW. I need fresh chilies for cooking and they don't even have DRIED CRUSHED chilies here for sale!

This is the start of a wonderful thing and I would like to share with you all, and after reading a lot of other Hot Pepper growers Grow Log. I am hoping that maybe my Grow log will help others in some way too!

A little background on me.

I am (at least until I moved up here), a VERY enthusiastic Orchid grower (Dendrobium Species and from the Spatulata Section). I was doing very well and had at one point a few hundred orchids growing and flowering well.
After my wife arrived in Canda last year, I decided to start growing fresh chilies for her, and this summer did well enough for a bigginer.
Out of the 20 or so Chilie plants, I kept one to bring up here, since it is my wife's favourite chilie...Thai Bird's Eye...
It seems to be doing well and has quite a few buds on it, though no flowers as of yet.

My set-up is on an Industrial Metal Wire Rack (like they have in a Restaurant or Bakery), with 3x T5's that are 6,400k, Full Spectrum Grow lights (they seemed to work well for my Orchids...so maybe the Chilies will do well under them till I can put them outside!). I also have 10,000k bulbs to, should those be better (FYI, the orchids I grew NEEDED bright lights and somewhat humid environment, and hot temperatures). With a fan going at various settings 24/7. The temperatures range is from 80 - 90 degrees fahrenheit (though unusual to get upto 90, mostly arounf 85'ish), humidity is around 45%-60% (once again the 60% is unusual and seems to happen only when I cook or when showers are taken).

Once again, seems that the chilies, from what I have read, enjoy this too!

I will post pics ASAP, but need to get other things organized first...

As to the seeds I will germinate, though not a big selection, I feel that at this time 12 varieties are more than sufficient till I have learned A LOT more!
I do have, and THANK YOU ALL who I have gotten seeds from, a very nice mix of seeds but until February or March next year, these are the seeds I am going to start:
  1. Black Pearl - "iziko" on THP
  2. T.S. Butch-T - "Smitty" THP
  3. Bhut Jolokia (Red) - "Smitty" THP
  4. Indonesian Cayenne - "AJIJOE" THP
  5. Fatali - "AJIJOE" THP
  6. Padaung Thai - "Canadian Seed Train" THP
  7. Aji Lemon Drop - "Canadian Seed Train" THP
  8. Chocolate Habanero - "Canadian Seed Train" THP
  9. Chipotle - "Mine" (bought dried pods from a market place)
  10. Jalapeno - "Mine" (Grew them this summer and harvested Seeds)
  11. Chocolate Bhut Jolokia - "Hendrix1326" THP
  12. Purple UFO - "Hendrix1326" THP
Thank you once again all who have helped me with seeds! :party: :woohoo: :party: (BTW...what goes around comes around...and if I can help those who helped me or others I will!)

Maybe you are asking..."Why so early"...

Well aside from my NEED to have fresh hot peppers. I also want to try a few things I used to do with my orchids...namely...CLONING.
So I can get one seed germinated and then get as many plants as I want from that one. I plan on only germintating one seed of each.
ALSO, space is VERY limited...and I want to have peppers ready to grow outside as soon as the frost warnings are done! Get as many harvests as possible!
AND of course my wife and I are expecting in March...so I do not want to have to worry about chilies until they go outdoors. My focus will be on the new addition to our family (our first child), and work. So I have the time now, will use wisely... ;)
Well, I will be getting all the seeds set-up and ready to germinate in the next week or so. Will post updates as they happen.

Mark

...SUCCESS to all you other growers out there, my your crops be plentiful and nevery worry about harmn coming to your plants!...
 
Click to expand...
Thanks "chsy83"!

I just have to decide what is the better way to germinate the seeds!
Having read all about the wet paper/wet paper zip lock or with soil.
This is where orchids are easy (NOT!) to germinate. Only one very well used method...Flasking. Though I think flasking pepper seeds would be a waste of time/money.
 
ALRIGHTY then!!!
So, here's my update...
I decided to go with the "Seed Soak" style of germination. Since that is almost what I am used to doing for Orchid seeds, and I feel more comfortable with.

My Process:
  1. Select the seeds I want to germinate (see first post on my seed selection) and place in disposable Plastic Shot Glasses (remember to LABEL what each cup contains!!!!)
  2. Mix 1 part Bleach (6% Household Usage Bleach) to 9 parts Distilled Water (I went with 100ml of Bleach with 900ml of distilled water)
  3. Soak seeds for 30-45 minutes
  4. Remove as much of the Bleach mixture as possible
  5. Add in straight Distilled water to each shot glass and let sit for 15-30 minutes
  6. Mix 6 drops of "Super Thrive B1" to 500ml (or for you Imperial users!!! 1 pint)
  7. Remove the rinse water (as much as possible)
  8. Add in the Super Solution in equal amounts to all cups
  9. ...WAIT...
The HARDEST part is the last one!
I have my cups in a planting tray with a "MONDI" dome, both vents closed for now. Awhile back I purchased a Terrarium Substrate Heating pad, for similar purposes on growing my orchid seeds. Since I needed pretty much the same temperature/humidity in order to germinate them. So I figured, well, why not use for the Hot Pepper seeds. Though I had to go get a piece of glass (since you cannot submerge the heating pad...not a very good idea according to the manufacturersinfo! GO FIGURE!!!! :banghead: )
So, all is set up and now the wait begins. I have the seedling potting soil (Miracle Grow version), and once I start to see the radicle to emerge from the seed. I will use my dropper and transplant it to moistened growing soil.
But for now, to reiterate what I have said alread a few times and to make it redundant...
Now I wait!

Mark
.
..
...OH, I did take photos of the process that I have done. Once I can get a bit of more free time, I will post them up here!
 
Just wanted to add in my cloning technique (or one 99% similar to what I do), I have been asked by a few people to explain what I do...

Okay. since it is a lot to say and do, when it comes to cloning plants. I decided to look over the YouTube vids on this matter.
Here is a link to pretty much exactly what I do when I clone a plant (unless it is a specific species of Orchid that I used to grow....different ways to clone those buggers!). This guy has also cloned Pepper plants as you will see near the end of the vid.
I am a bit more cautious on the disenfecting part, but that is up to the individual (like I just said, certain Orchids are REALLY crazy when you want to clone them!!).
Hope this helps out!

Mark
 
Nice documentation. Good luck applying your orchid
knowledge to your new enterprise!
 
PaulG said:
Nice documentation. Good luck applying your orchid
knowledge to your new enterprise!
Click to expand...
Thanks PaulG, I figure if I can grow orchids from seed...how much harder can it be to grow Hot Peppers from seed!
.
..
...
:pray:
Yah RIGHT!
Whole new set of issues and things to consider. Though I do not need a sterile environment like I would for Orchid seeds. But the dedication to cleanliness is still big, then when I start to clone more important to keep things just right too!

Update on the seeds...
:crazy:
Yup... :crazy: !
CRAZY!
Seems the seeds that I have heard/read are the hardest to germinate are the first to show their radicle. Though stil just sprouting out, I can see'em. So the TS "Butch T", Bhut Jolokia (Red) and Fatali have started and a few others of the 12 seeds I started. Those 3 are the main ones I want to grow this year.

Also, the Thai Chili Plant that I have is budding but not going to full flower. Buds drop after a certain point and/or dry up and then drop. Not sure why...trial & error...I guess. I am now using an organic based fertilizer. Though not going nutz with it, only gonna use it about 1-2/month.

Well, hope you all have a great weekend , whats left of it!

Mark
 
Nice 'trinity of heat' you have in those sprouts, there, eh!
:cheers:
Continued success to you.
 
HALO!
Apa Kabar!???
Well, update for you all...
It would seem that 12 outta 12 seeds germinated (I could see the start of radicles on all the seeds I submerged in the liquid).
So onto the next faze, which I did yesterday (Saturday).
I bought awhile back some seed starting soil by "Miracle Grow". Wet it down enough to say that it was wet, but still crumbled in the hand. Using a "Turkey Baster", I removed as much of the excess water as possible and left enough to get the seed into the turkey baster. Then, with already moistened peat pots (I bought the square ones), I placed the soil and made a 1"-1.5" hole for the seeds to fall into.
SO...
I..err...squirted the seed...(damn that sounds so BAD!), into each pot. I had already made a label for each and now they are happily in the incubation set-up I have previously talked about.
Just waiting for them to sprout!

On another note, I was able to pick-up an "Aerogarden Space Saver 6". At no cost to myself...just had to help out with someone who needed an area cleaned out and organized. Though the Aerogarden looks like it will work, I still need to be able to buy/get the "Pots" and plugs and another light bulb (yah there were a couple of things missing from the set-up, but HEY...lol...was for free and cannot knock that!). Then there are the nutrients, etc...
So will be looking into that set-up!
On the home front, we were told by the Ultrasound Tech that it was 80% chance on a boy...
HONESTLY, Girl or Boy, does not really matter...HAPPY & HEALTHY is what counts!
Also, I roasted a bunch of Jalapeno's tonight in the oven, so I can make some sauces!
AND!
Being the AMAZING husband that I am (well, at least in my mind!!!! :party: ). I made chicken wings for my wife, MY WAY. The funny thing is, she was very against the way I do them. THough you would think that after being a cook for almost 20 years, I would KNOW how to do some things very well...but she was reluctant to let me do them my way.
Then when she tried the finished product, she was VERY happy. Used up some of her Indonesian Hot sauce (yah, it's got a NICE lingering BITE to it :onfire: !), was very good and didn't want to share. But she IS my wife and I love her!
So, if yah'll ever want the best HOMEMADE chicken wings, here's my way of doing'em:
  1. CHICKEN WINGS (this is VERY important ingredient!!)
  2. HOT SAUCE (...yup, another VERY important ingredient!!)
  3. Some Vegie Oil
Method:
  1. Cut up wings into drumette/wingette/tip
  2. Place into a pot and fill with cold water till it covers the wings by an inch or so (DO NOT THROW OUT THIS LIQUID AFTER cooking...EXCEPTIONAL chicken stock)
  3. bring to boil and then turn down and simmer till wings are 3/4's cooked
  4. Remove from heat and remove from liquid, let cool, preheat the oven to 475-500
  5. In a big bowl and place the hot sauce (or whatever sauce yah want!), add some oil, just enough to say it is there
  6. Mix the wings with the sauce mixture together
  7. Place on a baking tray and put into the oven (I like to use Parchment paper, so the wings won't stick to the pan...just my .02$ worth...)
  8. Cook until the wings start to carmelize (for those who do not understand that term...when they start to get crispy and have a golden/dark colouring to them)
  9. SERVE
Just remember, they just came out of the oven, so VERY hot!

YUMMMYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dance:

Have a great evening,
Mark
FYI...I have had a few beers and some Whiskey & ginger ale...wings MUST have that as an accompaniment ...at least here in Canada, it helps a lot...
:party: :liar: :party:
 
OK!
Yet another update...
I was looking in on the seeds today, and I noticed that I have a hook on the "Lemon Drop"...
:party: :woohoo: :dance: :woohoo: :party:
Cannot wait till the rest start to hook and grow!

Mark
 
:woohoo: :party: :dance: :party: :woohoo:
Yet another...update!
So, the "Purple UFO" is now hooking.
YEAH!
More to follow!
Mark

..OH YAH!...
Also making some Jalappeno Hot Sauce.
Roasted a bunch off in the oven and peeled off the skins, just sauteeing all the ingredients, then add the Apple Cider Vinegar/Brown Sugar and the Fresh Lime juice. After it cools a bit, blend it up and taste!
 
Nice start with the seeds....how's the cloning coming about.......congrats on the ultrasound. I remember our 1st ultrasound, the tech printed out a polaroid picture of it, 30 yrs ago....How times have changed. Ha, even back then I remember using T12's in the basement for the seedlings with Gro-Lux bulbs..........how ancient was that!
Good luck with the plants

Greg
 
Why on earth are you up in Moosonee? Did Bearskin fly you up there... or as their stupid commerical use to say did "the Bear take you there". I'm from Sudbury originally and moved down south 13 years ago never to look back.
 
KiNGDeNNiZ said:
you can clone orchids... please do tell.. =-D
Click to expand...
I am sure you know...
But you can pretty much clone any plant. Even clone from a single cell of a plant.

saugapepper said:
Why on earth are you up in Moosonee? Did Bearskin fly you up there... or as their stupid commerical use to say did "the Bear take you there". I'm from Sudbury originally and moved down south 13 years ago never to look back.
Click to expand...
Drove up to Cochrane, then trained it in.
As to why...
The fulltime position with LCBO and a wife with the first baby on the way. Great reasons to move up here!

Mark

OH!
HEHEHEHE!!
Yet another hook popped up overnight, the Pandaung Thai has sprouted. Also the roots from the Purple UFO are coming out the bottom of the peat pot alreay! Wondering if this is gonna be a HUGE plant!
 
LCBO, one of my favourite stores. For you Americans, it is the government run liquor/wine/beer store in the province. No booze at gas stations or convenience stores here. Good job, great benefits! Hold on to that one. I'm sure you already know the local clientele whom you see everyday. ;)

Best of luck with the little one! My wife is due with our second one in about 6 weeks or so.
 
Hello all!
Well another update...
I have good and bad news.
Seems that the three that sprouted are doing well and growing vigorously YEAH!
As to the other 9...none have sprouted yet, I will wait one more week and if nothing happens. Will see how the seeds are in the soil, and start new ones for those 9.
Hoping that I did not damage them when I planted them.

Mark
 
I'm having a horrible success rate at the moment... 40 or so seeds, 6 sprouts. Day 15. Heat mat and temp gauge on them... last year I had near 95%.
 
...Update...
Have had a few set-backs, so will be delayed in continueing the glog.
Sorry!
Quickly here's whats going on though:
  • of the 12 I tried to germinate, 3 sprouted...one of the 3 died, so only the Lemon Drop & Purple UFO have survived
  • started drying out the soil that had all other seeds in them (gonna take a look and see if they even opened under the soiul)
  • Aquired an Aerogarden 6 Space Saver...but with missing parts, recently bought from ebay the parts I need, so gonna use that
  • My Thai Chili (Bird's Eye) has started flowering like crazy again, but won't produce any pollen or the flowers die before pollen can be formed (need to look into why, trying different things)
  • Being so remote has great qualities AND some very unexpected and nasty qualities...lol..worst case being a power outage for any time over 4 hours (at that point all will be geting VERY cold indoors!), as well as not having access to products like a new T5 bulb in the 54w range
SO, I will do my best to log on and keep updates. Though there are other concerns too!
Have a WONDERFUL and HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON to you all!
May your crop grow strong and true and your harvests be plentiful...

Mark
 
I think you just need to figure out what chilli seeds like. I soak my seeds in a weak hydrogen peroxide solution for only about 10 minutes. Not sure about using household bleach, who knows what other stuff they put in it. And I wouldn't worry about the superthrive either. At least not until they've sprouted. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck with the grow and the baby :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top