overwintering Overwinter Grow - Keep'in 'em going

Pledger · Oct 25, 2018

So I've set up a basic grow area to [hopefully] keep my peps going through winter.

I've got a few Aji Limons, a Chocolate Habanero, Fish Pepper, and a haba'nada! I recently pruned the Aji Limons fairly heavily. I've got a specific question about energy allocation. Aji Limon (baccatum) has pods emerge at the Y split, as well as a single [large] leaf. Is THAT large leaf contributing mostly to THAT pepper? I pruned back both sides of the Ys, leaving only the large leaf and pods to develop, presumably supplied by energy from the large leaf.

Here's what it looked like before I pruned it.

Here it is a few days later.

It looks a bit droopy and weak; as though it's struggling. Many leaves are turning yellow as well. Is this the onset of dormancy? I've got them in 80%+ humidity, ~68 deg F, 12 hrs of high energy LED light.

The chocolate hab is my favorite, and most compact (planted later), so I didn't prune it at all.

Any advice? Comments? What do yall think about this setup?

karoo · Oct 26, 2018

Setup looks great, but it could do with a harvest and a trim .

I assume you didn't transplant them and just moved them inside . With your setup they should not go into full dormancy , but will still be shocked enough to look sad.

Peppergrower · Oct 26, 2018

Prune back most of the pods first. Surface area of the leafs will be helpful with over wintering indoors. Be sure to have proper bulbs and keep the at the correct distance as to not crisp up the plant.

Pledger · Oct 27, 2018

karoo said:
it could do with a harvest and a trim .
How substantial of a trim to do?

With your setup they should not go into full dormancy, but will still be shocked enough to look sad.
Can you put them into a briefer dormancy toward the end of winter? What's the best way to begin the spring, with a good pruning done a few months before?

Pledger · Oct 27, 2018

Peppergrower said:
Prune back most of the pods first. Surface area of the leafs will be helpful with over wintering indoors. Be sure to have proper bulbs and keep the at the correct distance as to not crisp up the plant.

I thought crisping the plant would only be an issue with HID bulbs. I've got 5W LEDs; can these still damage foliage if positioned too close? I'd think metal halides / sodium vapor would roast them, not LEDs. Is this thought incorrect? These LEDs put off negligible heat.

So for the Hab, which is my favorite, I've done no pruning. I've espaliered (just learned that word), the branches it's entire life, so It's got a LOT of surface area and seems to be doing reel güd. Think I should hit it with a haircut?

On the topic of surface area, what would the plant do if I were to prune back all fruit and flowers?

Reactorpwr · Oct 27, 2018

Yes. LEDs can fry a plant. Easily at that. At least with HIDs you used the hand method for heat, you cant with LEDs

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

austin87 · Oct 27, 2018

If these plants were outside in the sun there is no need to worry about the strength from artificial light. It might burn them if its too hot with heat and the plants are too close but even the most powerful lights dont compete with the sun.

Its normal for plants coming indoors to drop leaves.

Greenguru · Feb 10, 2019

Pledger said:
So I've set up a basic grow area to [hopefully] keep my peps going through winter.

IMG_3105.jpg

IMG_2936.jpg

I've got a few Aji Limons, a Chocolate Habanero, Fish Pepper, and a haba'nada! I recently pruned the Aji Limons fairly heavily. I've got a specific question about energy allocation. Aji Limon (baccatum) has pods emerge at the Y split, as well as a single [large] leaf. Is THAT large leaf contributing mostly to THAT pepper? I pruned back both sides of the Ys, leaving only the large leaf and pods to develop, presumably supplied by energy from the large leaf.

Here's what it looked like before I pruned it.

IMG_3083.jpg

Here it is a few days later.

IMG_3104.jpg

It looks a bit droopy and weak; as though it's struggling. Many leaves are turning yellow as well. Is this the onset of dormancy? I've got them in 80%+ humidity, ~68 deg F, 12 hrs of high energy LED light.

The chocolate hab is my favorite, and most compact (planted later), so I didn't prune it at all.

Any advice? Comments? What do yall think about this setup?

these look same as when the Alphids come and or need of mag

Powelly · Feb 10, 2019

What is the Kelvin of the LED? If you get LEDs that are for aquariums or reptiles you're going to fry them
You need 4000-6500k