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Aussie Burnzy's first grow log

G'day,
 
So Im starting this early (really early),
 
We are in the lead up to winter in Melbourne but preparation should always start early. Fair to say nothing of mine has started yet, let alone finished. It's not my first year growing peppers but it is my first year growing more exotic peppers.
My inspiration came from tasting reaper paste. HOLY SH!T Ba!!$ that was hot! But I liked it. Now I cant get enough. Sad but true....
 
I really want to start this log so I can keep track of updates for myself. I've seen so many awesome logs on here that I kinda feel like I need this to keep it all in one place myself. So it's not about you, it's about me lol.
 
My list as it is:
 
From http://thehippyseedcompany.com/ Efficient dispatch, less than 24 hours perfect!
THSC Chocolate Trinidad Scorpion
THSC 7 Pod Douglah
Dorset Naga
Fatali Pepper
Pimenta de Neyde
Red Cayenne Pepper
 
From http://www.wildfirechilli.com.au/ Well, AFAIK it hasnt left yet and ordered a day before THSC. Hopefully my goods arrive....eventually.
Smoking Ed's Carolina Reaper
Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion
Moruga Scorpion
 
On top of this I have a few things I want to test. Im a beginner folks so what happens happens. I have some plants that are doing OK this year that I want to try seeds from and overwinter. "Not isolated...nothing special...really just to see what will happen. Aldo have a handful of dare I say supermarket seeds. C'mon man supermarket seeds are cool as! They're free and that fits well with me. If they come out true then even better.

What I will be trying:
Butch T From Chilli Factory - Will also try to overwinter this one.
Orange Habanero From Bunnings
Red Habanero From Coles...We will see.
 
I currently have a fridge that was highjacked at an earlier stage and met face to face with a grinder and now has 2 'vent' holes either side of it. (makes some ripper salami and killer Prosciutto) and now has a new life of growing seed. Currently in testing but here it is:
bMuyoNrl.jpg

 
Taking a look at the year as it is:
 
Butch T:
Great looking healthy plant but only 6 pods in March. A little disappointing but will use the seeds.
 
QSINX2Jl.jpg

 
Seeds from this pod:
F7MSaPNl.jpg

 
Orange Habanero that struggled a little to start but pushing daisies all day long now:
OnL4nNul.jpg

 
VUMXVlTl.jpg
 
Far out! Last post in August!!! Where has the time gone??
 
Well there has been a lot of learning happening over here.
 
1, I won't start my peppers in May again. Just too much work.
2, I won't be using pot n all pots again. Too hard to manage moisture.
3, I will be extremely careful on hot days when covering peppers with aplastic greenhouse. They don't like it much. :cry:
oshZ7ox.jpg

 
Not the peppers but this is the result of a day that was meant to be 16C but turned out the be 21C and in the above greenhouse. Very sad indeed but all managed to bounce back.
1ognNxp.jpg

 
Anyway, I have learnt alot that I have never dealt with before when just buying seedlings in Spring.
 
I have my chillies now in their bed and have been there around a month. My soil mix finihsed as follows;
50% soil conditioner (compost mixed with biochar from Bullen Art and Garden)
20% Vermiculite
5% Perlite
20% coco coir
2% Zeolite
1.5% Worm Castings
1% Alroc
0.4% Rock Dust
0.4% Seamungas (chook poo, seaweed and humic acid pellets)
 
The plants took a few weeks to settle in but are now starting to stretch out. Some still look a little unwell but are improving. The Cayennes have started to show pepper buds so i'll be leaving them on.
 
Here is the layout for the pepper bed.
 
D7CChf8.jpg

 
That's it for today. Thanks for looking! :party:
 
Looking good mate.  Sorry about the seedlings, it is disappointing when you put the effort in and one step wrong and blammo!  Going to have a good chilli crop though, and plenty of time for new tomatoes etc to go in
 
Surprisingly well Smokenmirraz, thanks for asking. No real affect to be honest. They had a very slightly wilted look yesterday but nothing too serious. We had almost 4mm rain yesterday after the 41'C and today we are already at 6mm. Enough to keep them happy :P .
 
Took these snaps today:
 
They ar growing but a little concerned they were fairly root bound and have taken a while to spring to life. A couple might not make it.
LzahlEdm.jpg

 
Cayennes are colouring up :party:
ataZTU5m.jpg

 
Mighty surprised by this thai chilli. The seed sprouted unassisted in my back garden bed last year. I potted it and put it under my deck over winter. 2-3 hours sunlight but potected from frost to an extent. Popped it in the ground October and its going crazy! Better than all my other plants which is a pain but good nontheless.
xYPFF8Fm.jpg

 
UEulZ6wm.jpg

 
For the sake of showing the heat had no effect here is a roma tomato. Still looks happy :dance: .
r3PzXOKm.jpg

 
I only hope that everything gets through the heat waves this year like they have done the last few days.
 
The worst is yet to come so only time will tell.
 
Nice bed ya got there. Your plants seem to have yellowed somewhat since Nov 10th, that Cayenne certainly looks pale in your last post. I'm thinking something just isn't right here.
 
Your soil mix seems ok, but I see you have a layer of mulch on top. While this is fine, have you checked the soil below is getting thoroughly wet after being watered? 
 
Also, your Thai volunteer is doing much better in a different soil and location so it seems happier than the others for some reason. It could be a good indication/comparison of a problem in your raised beds.
 
 
SR.
 
Yeah thanks shorerider. Been racking my brain trying to work this out. I thought at first they aren't getting the nutrients required but it's changed from affecting my C.Chinense now it affecting my C.Annuums and I've been feeding them. I am getting the feeling it's the opposite to underwatering and believe the soil mix is in fact holding water too well. I may be wrong though.

It's lucerne on top which seems to get hard and stiff after a while. The root system seems to be quite significant and much larger than the plants themselves but I just can't work it out.
 
You need to dig down between the plants to the same depth as the root system and see if the soil is dry, moist or soggy. If it is moist, then you're most likely looking at a deficiency of some sort.

Could you post some larger pics of some of yellowing plants, it may help to properly ID the issue.


SR.
 
Shorerider said:
You need to dig down between the plants to the same depth as the root system and see if the soil is dry, moist or soggy. If it is moist, then you're most likely looking at a deficiency of some sort.

Could you post some larger pics of some of yellowing plants, it may help to properly ID the issue.


SR.
Thanks Shorerider.  So I dug down to about 10-12 inches. The soil seems to be slightly moist. Certainly not bone dry. I gave them a really good soaking with the hose this morning just to be sure. I have noticed my drip line doesn't really spread out that much due to the lightness of the soil and no real structure to it so it's possible that the water is flowing straight through but I would have thought the soil would be dry if that was the case.
 
My backyard has never had an issue growing anything. In fact everything seems to power on out there but the yard is small. The thai chilli was put in the ground with a handful of seamungus pellets underneath (did the same out the front) A bag of Activ8 soil mix was placed on top and around the plant then the mulch. The soil mix out front is similar to an extant to what is in the activ8 soil mix but I did notice when opening the bags quite a bit of white hyphae so it seems to contain a high amount of fungi. The soil conditioner I used may not have composted enough to be able to feed the plants and the additions of seamungus and worm castings may simply not be enough.
 
I had noticed a couple weeks ago on my plants that the new growth was pale in colour. Up to that point I had only been feeding with worm compost AACT. I added some trace elements and started feeding with dynamic lifter I let sit in water for a few days. The new growth on the chinense is now a nice green but as mentioned and noticed, the annuums are struggling.
 
Here are some picks of the plants.
aoyUVME.jpg


Curling leaves but new growth is a slightly better colour on the cayennes.
OZUUmfI.jpg


2 cayennes full plant shot
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The rest are my chinense. They really seemed to have some issues early on with very little growth curling leaves etc. I get the feeling this may have been due to being root bound in the potnall pots or maybe I'm wrong.

These 2 are still struggling
3xnOcQs.jpg


uwkBRCU.jpg


This is a reaper, it seems to be coming back to life but yellow undergrowth.
C3VuzNW.jpg


Red Moruga. Seems to be doing well but a little light on colour
tSxgndn.jpg


This is a Jay Peach. The lower branches are pushing up well with plenty of flowers atm but the leaves are still curling. The second pick are the older leaves that seems to be stunted in the middle of the plant.
lJii8yl.jpg


OzzmWx8.jpg


Whatever is happening here it's making me concerned I won't get a decent crop if anything at all. If there is anything you think might be the issue I would love your help.
 
I had a similar issue to what you're experiencing in my new raised beds only a few weeks ago. I had yellowing of all growth and my plants were even dropping leaves. The soil had plenty of nutrients, so that had me puzzled. It wasn't until I dug down after a good watering that I noticed that the soil underneath wasn't getting wet. I added this granulated soil wetter... 
 
http://www.bunnings.com.au/amgrow-8kg-wettasoil-professional-granular-soil-wetter_p3010122
 
...and after a week I noticed a big improvement.
 
The culprit was the bulk soil I got from a garden center, it contained a high amount of top soil which once dried out became hydrophobic. My plants are now going great, have all turned dark green and are growing like crazy. 
 
I think you may be experiencing a lack of nutrients for your plants. You've added pellet ferts which are slow release, but your plants need food now!
 
I'd suggest a watering with some of this:
 
http://www.bunnings.com.au/powerfeed-600ml-tomato-and-vegetable-liquid-fertiliser_p2990056
 
It will be taken up by the plants quicker than the slow release ferts.
 
Then a watering with some diluted epsom salts a few days later.
 
Even a little blood and bone mixed in to the top layer of soil a week after the liquid fert (above) would help to give them a boost. You don't want to overdo the ferts and make things worse, so be sure to stagger your feeds. Hard to overdose on epsom salts though.
 
You're running drip irrigation, but peppers actually prefer to dry out between waterings. If their roots remain constantly wet it can lead to root rot. I only hand water, and only when the top 50mm of the soil is dry. I water on a needs basis, because each day is different and the soil drys out slower or quicker depending on the weather. 
 
Here's a nutrient deficiency chart to help diagnose deficiency issues. 
Screenshot_2015-12-22-10-24-21-1.png

 
I am by no means an expert, but after what happened to me, I couldn't let the same thing happen to you.
 
Hopefully someone else will jump in and give their advice. 
 
 
SR.
 
Yep, I hear ya! and I agree! My intention was to do a full organic grow this year relying solely on the soil food web. No synthetic fertilisers etc. I knew this year might not be the best grow but subsequent years should be better. I didn't expect to have as many issues as I have had though. I went in the buy Epsom salts a while ago because I noticed the lower leaves on my tomatoes where yellowing with green veins. Ended up getting the Manutec Trace Elements as I started thinking about all the other possible deficiencies and causes. Probably time to hit it with just Epsom salts. The dynamic lifter feed not long ago was pellets soaked for a number of days so thought that would be quick release and seems to have had some impact so far. It's since then that the new growth on some plants are green and not pale. The drip feed is hardly ever on because the soil seems to stay reasonably moist. I always test the soil to 3 inch before turning on. 
 
So here's my plan;
 
Because the Activ8 soil mix showed a high amount of fungal activity (which is necessary) and it is only helping everything out back I'm going to grab 50lt bag. To that I will mix in Epsom salts and blood and bone. Give it another quick water to leech some of it to the current soil below. Next week I will hit it with a liquid fertiliser. It was only a week or so ago that I used the diluted dynamic lifter tea so I think this is the best way. If you disagree let me know. Otherwise I'll update with the results next week and the week after.
 
Agree hitting it with diluted Epsom salts asap.
 
Active8 is suitable for a growing medium "as is" from what I can tell, so once you mix this in to your existing soil, you're diluting it's benefits with an already under fertilized soil.
 
I recommend buying a couple of bags of good quality compost as this will be higher in nutrients because it is designed to be mixed in with existing soil.
 
Mix in your Epsom salts and blood and bone to the compost to ensure it is thoroughly mixed through. Then mix this in as best you can with your existing soil. Water in with the Epsom salts dilution, then a week later with the  liquid fertilizer I mentioned earlier. 
 
Just keep in mind not to overdo it, and note down what you've added, how much, and when. It's always useful for future reference. 
 
Best of luck. 
 
SR.
 
Shorerider said:
Agree hitting it with diluted Epsom salts asap.
 
Active8 is suitable for a growing medium "as is" from what I can tell, so once you mix this in to your existing soil, you're diluting it's benefits with an already under fertilized soil.
 
I recommend buying a couple of bags of good quality compost as this will be higher in nutrients because it is designed to be mixed in with existing soil.
 
Mix in your Epsom salts and blood and bone to the compost to ensure it is thoroughly mixed through. Then mix this in as best you can with your existing soil. Water in with the Epsom salts dilution, then a week later with the  liquid fertilizer I mentioned earlier. 
 
Just keep in mind not to overdo it, and note down what you've added, how much, and when. It's always useful for future reference. 
 
Best of luck. 
 
SR.
Hmmm that's a good point with the Active 8. Although it's said to be a soil improver as well and is designed to be mixed with current soil as well as plant straight in to. I've mixed a bag of it with a bag of compost, added some epsom salts and blood and bone. Also added a sprinkle of trace elements just for good measure. Removed the mulch and spread it out on top of existing soil then lightly spread the same mulch back over the top. This afternoon I watered in all the new soil with espom salts so now it's wait and see.
 
Here are the items I used
rubFGR7l.jpg

or8Ke98l.jpg

f4KGOh9l.jpg

 
Mixed up on a tarp and turned until nicely combined
2he27Oul.jpg

 
I will be watching in angst hoping for a nice revival.
 
I've kept by expectations low and hopes high with these new raised beds. My tomato plants in the same soil mix have at least 20 fruit each with quite a few not far off ripening and new ones showing up each day so if they can do that in this soil I can only imagine what they'll do once I get it right.
 
Good stuff mate, here's hoping it gives them the boost they need. If there's any improvement to be had, you should start to see it within 1-2 weeks.
 
I'd still recommend the liquid fertilizer once a week, but wait a week or two if you do.
 
Best of luck. 
 
SR.
 
Shorerider said:
Bump, has there been any change yet mate?
Hey Shorerider. Your advice has been well received by myself and my plants! :dance:
 
Here's a comparison of today vs 20th December.
MYB0PYxl.jpg
LzahlEdl.jpg

 
The colour has come back to almost all of the plants and even those that seemed like they won't make it have come back brilliantly with new green growth. I feel a little ashamed that I relied heavily on the soil mix to provide all nutrients my plant required but lesson learned... I have now come to the understanding that the soil conditioner I used is in fact a much higher percentage of bio char than compost hence the deficiencies in these plants.
 
There are a few that seem a little light on colour so to be sure I watered again with epsom salts today which should sort them out for a while now. I have not yet hit them with powerfeed but intend to do so in the next few days. Still some work to do but it's looking positive :).
 
Here's some extra pics close up.
 
Red Moruga. You can see the smaller one beside it (also an RM) has started to look good again.
MZwkJ1zm.jpg
UAgtwvQm.jpg

 
Jay Peach. Looking much better than before.
p0tkbErm.jpg

 
Jays Peach. This was the worst looking plant of all. Looks like it's coming back ok.
zfaxXIOm.jpg

 
Cayennes. It's hard to tell in this photo but colour has certainly came back and I feel it will continue to improve. I have picked any ripe peppers off so it can concentrate on growth again.
3JyFUT7l.jpg

 
I'll post back in another week with hopefully more improved shots.
 
 
Wow, just over 10 days since your last update and just look at the results!!!!
 
They ALL look much greener, and the growth they've put on is fantastic, it looks like they've all had a growth spurt.
 
The Cayenne's seem to have mostly become greener except for the tips of the leaves, hopefully this changes with a little more time and I think it will. The Powerfeed should give 'em another boost too.
 
Good stuff mate, it looks like you're on the right track to a great season now. 
 
I look forward to your next update.
 
 
SR.
 
8 days since the last post and the plants are continuing to burst with new healthy growth.
 
biaquLD.jpg

 
This Jays Peach is starting to show loads of buds and a handful of flowers. Should hopefully start seeing some peppers on it soon.
 
PTcx5jTl.jpg

 
This Red Moruga has put out about 6 inch's of growth in the past week. Buds are forming but no flowers yet.
 
k98thknl.jpg

 
Carolina Reaper. Growing nicely. I think a couple more weeks and this will be a nice size. All new growth is healthy.
 
IecfDAll.jpg

 
And the Cayenne's. I don't think this picture does them justice. The colour is back on almost all the plants except for a few older leaves with pale tips but the new growth is looking brilliant! Still picking off all ripe peppers as I go and new buds are starting to show.
 
nbBQ582.jpg

 
THSC 7 Pod Douglah. This was a late sprout. The growth is almost leggy and considering pruning the top branches off. I think though I might leave it just to see how it goes. Undecided yet.
 
bzaaLeNl.jpg

 
That's all for today.
 
Looking great there mate, they've certainly responded to the amendments you've made. 
 
The 7 Pod Douglah looks like it has two lots of growth, I'm guessing the higher growth was put on after the changes? I don't top any of my plants, that 7 Pot seems like it has plenty of lower growth so I wouldn't top it. Up to you though. 
 
Your season looks well on track now, great work. 
 
 
SR.
 
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