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Karoo 2018/19 Glog African Adventure

Hi everybody.
Starting early this year . i just can't help myself, first frost hits and all i can think about is germinating a few seeds.
 
Germination:
In small pots with coco coir/compost 50/50.
In insulated container with heat mat .
Temp 28-30 C.
 
Seedlings:
Will stay in small pots , fits in trays , easy to move . For about 3 months.
I have a small , wooden grow box/cabinat with cfl lights.
 
Grow area:
two areas under 40% shadenet/birdproofing .
Biggest area, two one meter high raised beds , filled with 90% pure compost 
Second area , large containers partially buried in the ground to keep them cool.
 
Soil:
germination , 50/50 , cococoir/compost
after that 90% compost with added  ash , spent coffee grounds , fine eggshells etc.
Compost is my own , from garden cuttings , leaves and branches , just left in a hole in the ground for at least 2 years.
 
No added nutes . The year I am going to experiment with sheep droppings from my Brother-in-law'sfarm. Real 2-5 year old droppings from the shaving shed.
 
 
Stay tuned , pics will follow.
 
 
 
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That's my pride and joy . I planted every single one by hand and shovel. I dug a well and installed drip irrigation . All about 5 years ago . Now it's my sanctuary where I do my early morning walk with the dogs and a cup of coffee. I never sell pomegranates , but they do make great gifts , especially for people who used to eat them as kids and now can't find them.
 
I will send a few more pics soon.
 
karoo said:
That's my pride and joy . I planted every single one by hand and shovel. I dug a well and installed drip irrigation . All about 5 years ago . Now it's my sanctuary where I do my early morning walk with the dogs and a cup of coffee. I never sell pomegranates , but they do make great gifts , especially for people who used to eat them as kids and now can't find them.
 
I will send a few more pics soon.
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Jacques, I have never seen a pomegranate grove....I knew they must exist, the damned things don't just fall from the grocer shelves, now do they...
 
In awe over here....
 
I have a few late starters that I planned to harvest in the very late and much cooler season and then overwinter. 4 Rocotos and one Aji Charapita .
They are all doing great , but still a lot of flowers dropping in the late summer heat.
 
Aji Charapita has real small flowers .!
 
Charapita.jpg

 
Rocotos , Red, Guatamala and Costa Rica
 
Rocoto Red.jpg

 
Roc Guatamala.jpg

 
Roc Costa Rica.jpg
 
Well done sir! A most excellent grow ;)
 
I love the Pomegranate orchid! They should grow here as well, and after your glog last year I wanted to plant them. Somewho that thought slipped away :rolleyes:
 
CaneDog said:
Your rocotos look fantastic karoo!  Good to see the success you're having with them.
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Devv said:
Well done sir! A most excellent grow ;)
 
I love the Pomegranate orchid! They should grow here as well, and after your glog last year I wanted to plant them. Somewho that thought slipped away :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
 
Thank you , Pubes are all new to me and it's very exciting to watch them develope so differently from other peppers.
 
Devv,
with trees, don't wait , just plant them.
 
Taxman Matt said:
Hi karoo, hope you're well. The progress looks great so far.
 
Do you have any advice on the best time of year to start germinating down Cape Town side?
Click to expand...
 
I'm in Oudtshoorn , with winter frost. I started in June last year , but that was a bit early and I ran out of space in my grow box. I usually start mid July and keep them inside under lights for 6 weeks and take them outside in September.
 
You shouldn't have frost problems, so depending on your setup , anytime from end July to the start of September. If you get a cold September they do get a bit stunted outside.
 
CaneDog said:
Great to see them not only flowering, but setting pods for you Karoo!  
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CDNmatt said:
The Rocotos are so damn pretty Karoo....So are you guys into your fall temps now or still on the tail end of summer??
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This is my first time growing Rocotos , so every flower and pod is still amazing to see. I have a germination addiction , so I germinated these when I received them , a bit late in the season. They are in smaller pots to move around and overwinter more easily. They will go into my unheated wooden shed with a big window that gets all the morning sun . Temperatures should stay a few degrees above freezing .
 
Autumn/Fall is mild , with a mild winter as minimum temps only touch on freezing. Winters are dry and sunny. I've overwintered peppers outside only covered by shade net.
 
Stunning results with the Aji Amarillo, Jacques.
Those are awesome even by their own standards!

Nice to see you having success with the c. pubescens.
They ar e very rewarding to grow, indeed.
 
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