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

 
 
 

 

[bob65]

Suppose I should put up some pics of mine. Nothing that even looks like a flower yet.
 
We have been having funny weather here. Either it is raining and in the 20s, or damn hot and humid and 35°+. Then when they dry out it starts raining again.
 
I have also been hit with snails and caterpillars.
 
My 3 plants. One in the ground, one in a pot, and one in a raised garden bed,
 

 

 

 

[timnz]

Mine have just gone from a small plastic container to a growing box in the greenhouse, hoping they take off from here. No buds yet. I suspect they will start to catch up a bit now though.
 
I've giving most of my seedlings away to growers in the neighborhood. 
 
 

 

[KAOS]

Looking good Tim. They will need a pot size up in a few weeks no doubt.

 

[KAOS]

For some reference and motivation - The photo below was taken 05 Dec last year and there are four Cito plants circled.
 
These four produced consistent supply of  chillies over the summer season and were not cared for much.
 
If you further than this now you gonna have a good season, if you not then see how progress goes over then next four weeks.
 
Check out my Glog from last year with photos of cito harvests and when they are for an idea of harvesting dates
 
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/66171-kaos-glog-2017/page-3
 

 

[KAOS]

Update from this morning.

Weather has been all over the place. Hot cold windy rain fog. Overnight temps are normalising at around 10c so that’s a positive.

I still have to stake my plant and this is kind of on purpose. I figured that I’d try get stems as strong as possible before supporting to provide a solid foundation. Seems to be working.

Plenty flowers and pods but no ripe ones yet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[timnz]

Looking good Tim. They will need a pot size up in a few weeks no doubt.

 
Yeah they're almost rootbound already, the pot is mostly full of roots. I've put one into a 90L growing container with my semi-hydroponic growing style, it'll take off from there. Those other ones in pots will go to other people this weekend.

 

[High Country Crow]

Weekly update.
 
Not a lot of visible growth i can see. pods are setting though, counted 10 on the plant at the moment. 
 
i built a new enclosure for the plant and untied the branches hoping it would start growing again. 

 

[karoo]

Pods are ripening fast, but still very small due to the heat. I thought I would wait a week or more, but the pods are drying on the plant.
42 pods
59 grams

Sent from my FIG-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

[karoo]

Total
85 g
56 pods

Sent from my FIG-LX1 using Tapatalk

 

[PaulG]

Pods are ripening fast, but still very small due to the heat. I thought I would wait a week or more, but the pods are drying on the plant.

Sent from my FIG-LX1 using Tapatalk

Hey, Jacques, having fun with the Aji Cito?
They look a lot like Aji Lemon Drops, but
more orange-colored. What is the heat level
on them?
 
Have a super great season, buddy!

 

[bob65]

My plant that was put in the ground is growing well. No sign of flowers yet but looking healthy.
 

 
 
The 2 others that I have (1 in a pot attacked by snails and caterpillars, 1 in a raised bed) are not doing any where near as well as this one.

 

[Devv]

Sweet looking plant folks!
 
I need to take pics of mine. Currently inside under the lights; as we're experiencing January weather in November.

 

[karoo]

Hey, Jacques, having fun with the Aji Cito?
They look a lot like Aji Lemon Drops, but
more orange-colored. What is the heat level
on them?
 
Have a super great season, buddy!

Aji Cito and Aji Lemon are very similar in size , shape and heat.
Tastes different though.
 
Jip, a lot of fun to grow.

 

[Devv]

 

 

 
I may just do my first weigh in this weekend...

 

[High Country Crow]

Looking good guys. my plants have stalled although you cant blame them as we have had some pretty bad weather this week. snow for 2 days then just cold and wet for 3 days. They have been inside without direct sunlight. 
 
Ive got pods on both plants im still trying too decide between but they havent started to ripen yet.

 

[dimensionz]

Been awhile since i've posted, you guys are all coming along quiet nicely, already some big plants. My plant is actually still indoors at this point and is only just starting to get flowers now. 
 

 

[bob65]

Update for the first day of summer.
 

 

[Devv]

First pull, not bad for winter grown. Dirt day here is April 1-15th
 

 

[timnz]

I have mine in a full sized growing box now, it's coming along better. It's just started to bud. Bit of a slow start here, but my greenhouse is fantastic for growing chillis, and the semi-hydroponics tend to work well, so fingers crossed for the end of summer I'm just about to put better supports in, when I get around to it.
 
I gave a half dozen of these seedlings away too.

 

[drathag]

Things starting to move along for me at last, despite some insane winds that tried to take down every plant I have...