NeedsWork 2016 - Year Two

moruga welder · Jan 10, 2016

NeedsWork said:
Happy New Year! It's that time!
This year I am focusing on cayenne and white habs as they are our favorites from last year'. Ground white hab pepper is like a step up from white pepper. Very versatile.

Most of my pepper seeds are hitting the dirt ~2 months earlier than last year. March 9th 2015 vs January 1st 2016. Link to last year's glog.

I moved my grow box out to our 'sun' room. It's more of a basement, without insulation, 1/2 above ground. It isn't the most ideal place for growing but it will keep the dirt out of the house. Temps are my biggest concern as the grow box foam insulation is only 1/4 inch. Might have to double up...

My grow box is now 5' L x 3' T 18" W. Step-by-step build instructions are in last year's glog. Running six T-8 shop bulbs 24 hrs until germination. Bulbs are arranged:

6000k
6000k
3000k
5000k
6000k
6000k

Also have a heat mat and temp sensor for the germ tray.

Six of nine overwinter plants are showing signs of life despite significant neglect and freezing temps in the sun room. This is their first day under the lights, and third watering since digging them last fall.
Dragon Cayenne
Carolina Reaper
Carribean Red Habanero
Yellow Ghost
Ghost
??? label MIA, back right, could be Long Cayenne

Germ Tray:
Name and number of seeds planted:

I'm excited to make friends, follow all of the glogs and eat some pods. Here's to health, happiness and great season. Cheers!

cheers to that ! :cheers:

mpicante · Jan 10, 2016

Hope you have a great season.OW are looking good

t0mato · Jan 10, 2016

Cheers to a great season. Best of luck. :cheers:

mogly · Jan 10, 2016

this going to be a hot year ahaha

NeedsWork · Jan 10, 2016

mpicante said:
Hope you have a great season.OW are looking good

Thanks! I'm surprised they survived.

t0mato said:
Cheers to a great season. Best of luck.

Thanks, best of luck to you as well!

mogly said:
this going to be a hot year ahaha

Let's hope!

Wife made enchiladas to celebrate with dragon and long cayenne as well as coarse ghost/scorp/reaper powder. All from last year.

Cooled off tonight but temps in the germ tray are holding 82-83F. That is encouraging after questioning the new setup.

Needle99 · Jan 10, 2016

Looking good

Lovepeppers · Jan 10, 2016

Looking great!

NeedsWork · Jan 13, 2016

Needle99 said:
Looking good

Thanks!

Lovepeppers said:
Looking great!

Thanks!

Carribean Reds, Pumpkin Habs, Jalapenos and Big Thais germinated between last night and tonight. I put one seed on top when I had extras of a variety. It helps with my lack of patience. I'm also curious to see how they do in comparison.

My guess is the super hots will show up on Friday, five days after planting. Chocolate habs were difficult last year. I'm not sure if/when they will decide to show up. Cayenne seeds should be here any day.

The germination cover drains condensation along the outside cells. That causes the outside cells to remain saturated. Didn't notice that last year.

Each of my overwinters received two tablespoons of diluted Fox Farm Boomerang to give them a kick in the rear. They seem to be happier.

Pretty boring update. Germination and waiting for the first set of true leaves both take FOREVER. :whistle:

Save my sanity and please keep posting glog updates.

NeedsWork · Jan 14, 2016

One Jwala Finger Pepper came out of its shell today. Jalapenos are going nuts... may have started them a little early.

No action from the supers...

NeedsWork · Jan 15, 2016

The first cotys of the year award goes to a Big Thai in cell D3. Butch T appeared overnight. I added germination dates to the first post. I lied about the pumpkin habs germinating... no action thus far. I'm going to have to raise the germ tray closer to the lights. I might have some helmet head issues with the jalapenos.

The overwinters must be waking up. Soil was damp last night and bone dry this morning.

Runescape · Jan 17, 2016

Nice to see things poppin, good luck.

NeedsWork · Jan 17, 2016

Runescape said:
Nice to see things poppin, good luck.

Thanks!! Everyone but the pumkin habs has showed up.

Some pics from today. L to R of the germ tray from two different angles.

NeedsWork · Jan 18, 2016

It's too cold outside to check on the germ tray. I was supposed to be ordering flower seeds but found trouble. This makes 24 varieties I think. Trying to move away from all super hots.

NeedsWork · Jan 19, 2016

First culling

Before

After

Comptine · Jan 19, 2016

I find culling heartbreaking. All that potential gone...

NeedsWork · Jan 19, 2016

Comptine said:
I find culling heartbreaking. All that potential gone...

100% agree. Last year I tried to grow every sprout and ended up with 100+ plants, 72 in cups. It's much easier to pick between seedlings than 2 month old plants. :mope:

Who would have guessed that the pumpkin habs will be the last to get cotys?

On a happier note, the Dragon, Large and Hot Cayenne arrived today in the mail. Seeds are soaking in a tea bath and will hit the dirt before bed tonight. Updated first post.

NeedsWork · Jan 21, 2016

Upgraded my grow shelf. A 22 x 60" heat mat now keeps the entire grow box at 85F. I ground the flanges off of two big grow trays to fit the space for bottom watering. Cover is off the germ tray. Just about all of the sprouts are going to cups Saturday provided I can find Fox Farm Ocean Forest.

Runescape · Jan 22, 2016

Whoa, thats a pretty big heat mat lol. Looks like its working though.

NeedsWork · Jan 22, 2016

Runescape said:
Whoa, thats a pretty big heat mat lol. Looks like its working though.

It's a beast but the temperature probe has to go in the smallest pot or it will cook the little guys.

Tonight I put some dirt in cups.