Hey everyone
I haven't been online much in the last 6 months. I moved from Virginia to Alaska last year and have been working on getting myself settled here.
If you don't know me...you might be thinking it's a little crazy trying to grow tropical plants in a subarctic climate...but I've been growing gardens and farming in the south most of my life so it's not a mystery to me how to make it happen. In fact, many many world record fruits and vegetables have been grown in Alaska. (hint: it's the summer sun) ...unfortunately peppers don't seem to respond well to the outdoor light stress when they're trying to bloom.
Fortunately, I know how to grow inside all the time.
A few years ago I really got into growing indoors using aquaponics...the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. All throughout this site I've posted a lot of information about the systems I used with koi in the basement back in VA.
I've always loved hot food, my dad raised me on something he called "blazin saddles" that was essentially chili made out of leftovers...spaghetti...Chinese food...cornbread... Just make it into a spicy mess and call it chili.
I had grown hot peppers before and the prospect of growing them indoors using fish waste water prompted me to buy some Thai plants and some habaneros. They did ok, not the best and I was learning a lot about lighting and nutrients and...aphidpocalypses. It can often be a struggle when trying new types of gardening but it helps me adapt to new ideas and techniques.
Now several years later I have many adult plants with me in Alaska...most of them I actually mailed to myself. The oldest plants I have with me are already in their third year. They're inside for now in my grow tent set up in my room...enduring the 6 months of ice we have here.
I have a 3X3X6 feet Apollo grow tent, I bought it for about $100 online and it's fantastic compared to the homemade one I was using before.
This week I'm going to be spending some time making a video or two about what I'm doing this year and let you guys meet some of my adult plants. And of course I'll be taking some pictures for everyone.
Meanwhile, in Alaska:
My current grow list:
I'll also eventually include some of the toxic plants that I grow as a hobby in this glog including mandrake, belladonna, and wormwood.
Cheers,
Rich
I haven't been online much in the last 6 months. I moved from Virginia to Alaska last year and have been working on getting myself settled here.
If you don't know me...you might be thinking it's a little crazy trying to grow tropical plants in a subarctic climate...but I've been growing gardens and farming in the south most of my life so it's not a mystery to me how to make it happen. In fact, many many world record fruits and vegetables have been grown in Alaska. (hint: it's the summer sun) ...unfortunately peppers don't seem to respond well to the outdoor light stress when they're trying to bloom.
Fortunately, I know how to grow inside all the time.
A few years ago I really got into growing indoors using aquaponics...the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. All throughout this site I've posted a lot of information about the systems I used with koi in the basement back in VA.
I've always loved hot food, my dad raised me on something he called "blazin saddles" that was essentially chili made out of leftovers...spaghetti...Chinese food...cornbread... Just make it into a spicy mess and call it chili.
I had grown hot peppers before and the prospect of growing them indoors using fish waste water prompted me to buy some Thai plants and some habaneros. They did ok, not the best and I was learning a lot about lighting and nutrients and...aphidpocalypses. It can often be a struggle when trying new types of gardening but it helps me adapt to new ideas and techniques.
Now several years later I have many adult plants with me in Alaska...most of them I actually mailed to myself. The oldest plants I have with me are already in their third year. They're inside for now in my grow tent set up in my room...enduring the 6 months of ice we have here.
I have a 3X3X6 feet Apollo grow tent, I bought it for about $100 online and it's fantastic compared to the homemade one I was using before.
This week I'm going to be spending some time making a video or two about what I'm doing this year and let you guys meet some of my adult plants. And of course I'll be taking some pictures for everyone.
Meanwhile, in Alaska:
My current grow list:
- 7 Pot Primo X Bhut Jolokia Yellow
- 7 Pot Jonah X Naga Viper (F4)
- Fatalii
- Orange Manzano
- Yucatan White Habanero
I'll also eventually include some of the toxic plants that I grow as a hobby in this glog including mandrake, belladonna, and wormwood.
Cheers,
Rich
) Alaskan topsoil is basically composted moss and it's pretty amazing. Too bad the grow season is so short. 
