2018 Southern Hemisphere Grow Down-Under

Hi All
 
It's getting to that stage where we need to plan the next growdown.
 
I can supply the Aji Cito seeds, but will need to get them posted pretty quick so get voting
 
I also have no issue if we go with something else, but will need to order in good time as it takes ages to get to NZ
 
If you vote 'Something Else' post a suggested variety
 
Poll closes Friday 27th April
 
 
General Rules

• GROWDOWN BEGINS 21st JUNE
• Seeds to be started on or after start date
• Germinate and grow as many as you want
• All grow styles and techniques welcome
• Only one plant can count towards your entry
• Nominate your growdown plant at first weigh in
• Weigh each harvest, and post picture of pods on scales here
• Heaviest total weight of pods in one year from start will be the winner
• Honour system - If you cheat the Aphid Gods will know

 
 
 

 

[timnz]

Still going pretty slow for some reason.
 
Last year I used a custom mix and this year I'm trying a good quality soil with perlite added.
Growth this year not as good for sure.
 
First photo is one of the Citos
Second photo is a MOA Scotch Bonnet - Do you think it's sunburn perhaps (I have a number of different varieties doing the same thing).
 
Cito
 
MOA

 
That looks a little like a fungus, powdery mildew. Not sure it's that though.

 

[DK Peppers]

Just a quick update from me! Everything is coming along nicely, despite a considerable amount of neglect on my end. The seed was germinated by just soaking it in water for 4 days (i forgot about it), and it had germinated by the time i remembered. 
 
The seedling was then planted in potting soil in a cup, and left alone for 1 week at a time for 3 consecutive weeks. But by the time i get home in a week, I'll be potting it up and it should be off to a good start.
 

 

[High Country Crow]

Weekly update. Looks like they have grown a little bit this week. an extra set of leaves. This week i added some calmag into the A+B coco mix.

 

[karoo]

Those look strong and healthy.

 

[High Country Crow]

cheers they seem too be going ok. some of the other weaker varieties seem to be curling up the leaves a bit but the plants that are strong seem to be growing quite fast.

 

[Devv]

 
Things have been quite crazy around here. Here's my neglected best of the bunch. I'm impressed it survived while I was away on vacation. It's been in diffused sun since it popped..

 

[High Country Crow]

Weekly update.
 
Some good growth out of the Aji Cito this week, even though some of my other varieties seem to be struggling a bit. i think i have been under watering some of the others so ive increased the amount of nutrients too them.
 
I like the clear pint plastic cups, you can really see the root development happening.
 
i chose one of the three in the pictures and planted into a bigger self watering pot so it will be interesting to see the comparison between the plants.
 
Heat has been reduced and is mainly sitting between 22-25. the minister for finance got our latest power bill and reduced my budget. Lights are still on 18hrs at this stage.
 
 

 

[bob65]

Looking good, HCC.
 
I haven't done an update for a while, because they are hiding in this lot somewhere so I think they are doing okay.
 

 
I know I nearly decapitated one of them yesterday when it got bent over and pinched between two of the trays that I was moving around.
 
 

 

[dimensionz]

Seeing as others are posting, I may as well get a quick pic. Here are my two that are doing the best. 
 
Vertical grow has slowed, getting a few side shoots now. The pot size is only 650ml and im trying to keep them in these small pots for as long as possible before moving house. 
 

 
 

 

[High Country Crow]

Looking good, HCC.
 
I haven't done an update for a while, because they are hiding in this lot somewhere so I think they are doing okay.
 

20180820_163952.jpg
 
I know I nearly decapitated one of them yesterday when it got bent over and pinched between two of the trays that I was moving around.
 
 

For Proof Bob we are going too need to see what plants are what. pull them out and move them around. need to slow you down a bit.
 
how are you watering? top or bottom?

 

[High Country Crow]

Seeing as others are posting, I may as well get a quick pic. Here are my two that are doing the best. 
 
Vertical grow has slowed, getting a few side shoots now. The pot size is only 650ml and im trying to keep them in these small pots for as long as possible before moving house. 
 

AhDUlh6.jpg
 
 

That will be my plan, keep them in the Pint cups for as long as possible. then hopefully by then some of them can go outside. 

 

[karoo]

Update.

I can't wait for Spring to get these in the ground and just let them be.
The last 2 weeks have been a real PITA carrying these guys in and out twice a day.
8 hours of sun per day followed by 16 hours og lights, but seems to be paying off.

Sent from my FIG-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

[bob65]

Your plants look great Karoo.

 

[karoo]

Your plants look great Karoo.

Thank you , this has been hard work , but it seems that the combination of lights and 14 days of sunlight really paid off. Cito B started to fork 2 weeks ago and then forked twice after that .
 
On lights alone they were pale and spindly. Now bushy and deep green and larger leaves. Nothing beats a bit of sunshine.
 
Bottom watering with diluted fish ferts every second day.

 

[KAOS]

Plants are all looking great keep it up - Karoo you need to give us a fighting chance dude (looking superb)
 
Here is my offering. Got my soil all wrong this year soil had to repot all my seedlings. Time to play catchup now.
 

 

 

[Devv]

Nice looking plants! Still around 100° here, and it will be for a few more weeks. Wow Karoo, I see flowers ready to rock there!

 

[karoo]

Nice looking plants! Still around 100° here, and it will be for a few more weeks. Wow Karoo, I see flowers ready to rock there!

 
 
Knowing peppers .......
........those blossoms will drop!

 

[Devv]

 
 
Knowing peppers .......
........those blossoms will drop!

 
Shhh. Don't let the plants hear you!
 

 

[KAOS]

Things starting to pick up now.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[High Country Crow]

Weekly Update. 
 
The plants seem to be going nicely. ive changed the watering to bottom watering so we will see how that goes. 
 
They are starting to get fairly tall now and are struggling to support them selves so i will tie them up in the next day or so. Just a question too you more experienced growers when would you consider pinching the tops or shortening back to try and bush them up a little? Do Aji Cito respond well too this or should they be let run?
 
Still really cold in the north east of victoria so they still have a long journey ahead of them in the grow tent under lights. We had 10cm of snow at our place last sunday.