CaneDog 2020

2020 is underway, so it's time to start the new season's glog!  Odd times though, as I'm still harvesting stragglers from last season while the earliest of my 2020 starts are already up.  Grow areas are a bit disorganized as a result 
 
This season's grow should be a little more balanced than last season, though I'll still have a ridiculous number of rocotos - many OW's plus a bunch of new varieties - and quite a few carry-over OW wilds, too.
 
A big "thanks" to all who shared seeds with me for this season.  I'm appreciative and excited to have lots of cool varieties in the mix, many of which I got to watch you grow last season and can now try myself.  I think I'm current with everyone, but if by any chance you were expecting seeds from me that may have slipped through the cracks just shoot me a PM.
 
As I mentioned, things aren't super organized right now, but here's a few pics anyway.
 
I planted a few seeds early, just because I couldn't hold off the extra few weeks without planting something.
 
Amarillo de Arequipa Rocoto just popped- Thanks CTB!

 
Ecuador Sweet Rocoto twins - and a big shout out to the two peeps who sent me seeds for these. Both sources germinated and I'm really happy to have them growing.  Disclaimer: they may look overly wet, but these just got sprayed (to avoid HH's) and it's a very porous medium.

 
Put another few rocotos in to soak today.

 
This is a galapagoense that popped a few days back, exactly 100 days after sowing.

 
And this pod contains Jalapeno Zapotec x Purple Jalapeno F1, one of a couple F1 JZ crosses I'll be growing out this season. The other is Tekne Dolmasi x JZ.

 
Finally, I got a solid recommendation on a new media mix I'll be trying out this season in a few variations. The mix is heavy in partially composted bark fines, a fir/hemlock mix as pine's hard to get locally. It's proving to be a veritable mycelium factory.  Bodes well for good symbiosis with the appropriate fungal species this year.

 

 
Heck, they're even fruiting out the drainage holes... 

 
 
That's it for now.  Good luck to all in 2020!
CD

 

[CaneDog]

For what it's worth, the stubborn germinators in
my wilds grow hooked up over the next three days
after I put them on the furnace duct where there
was a bit of temp swing rather than the constant
temp (80˚F) grow shelf.

 
Good info to post, Paul.  I've seen both temporary increases in temps or movement to day/night variation seem to do just that and your current experience is more supporting evidence.  Great tool to have in the bag when they've been sitting around doing nothing for too long.

 

[TattooedBullfrog]

Your killing it Cane, keep up the great work and info!!

 

[CaneDog]

Your killing it Cane, keep up the great work and info!!

 
Thanks man!  It was a bit of a bumpy start, but things are getting back on track

 

[TattooedBullfrog]

awesome!!

 

[solid7]

Temp swings - inside the upper and lower limits of optimal - are one of the cornerstones of plant vigor. Do that always.

I don't have the ability to do that as much in my current setup, but I do turn my fan off at night.

 

[CaneDog]

Temp swings - inside the upper and lower limits of optimal - are one of the cornerstones of plant vigor. Do that always.

I don't have the ability to do that as much in my current setup, but I do turn my fan off at night.

 
"Solid" advice! 
 
Still not a lot of picture-worthy stuff happening.  The plants are recovering strongly now with the change in growing media.  I suspect the bark will work for larger plants with more established root systems, but at least for me it was a no-go with the very young seedlings.  I'll be trying it again and some variations in a more limited scope once things are bigger.  It's truly amazing the difference in the plants and reinforces the importance of proper media.
 
I planted several Cusco Rocoto seeds in a rock wool cube a while back, but was getting nothing after what seemed a reasonable waiting period.  I decided to replant rather than simply wait, so yesterday I put a few into an overnight soak of diluted H2O2 and distilled water.  The picture below shows these popping by 18 hours, before I could even transfer them to soil.  Given that it's almost March I'm glad to see these last rocotos moving so quickly! 
 

 
I'd gotten a little lazy about my pre-soaks when I tried some starts using the Scottex method - I hadn't soaked the first round of Cusco seeds before they went into RW cubes - but I'll be going back to it 100% again.  I've read both that it does and doesn't make any difference to pre-soak if the seeds are fresh and healthy, but in my experience it seems to help.
 
And just for grins, here's one of PaulG's BJh-2's I think looks particularly good.  I have a few of each of the BJh-2 and BJh-M growing.
 

 

[solid7]

Still not a lot of picture-worthy stuff happening.  The plants are recovering strongly now with the change in growing media.  I suspect the bark will work for larger plants with more established root systems, but at least for me it was a no-go with the very young seedlings.  I'll be trying it again and some variations in a more limited scope once things are bigger.  It's truly amazing the difference in the plants and reinforces the importance of proper media.
 
I planted several Cusco Rocoto seeds in a rock wool cube a while back, but was getting nothing after what seemed a reasonable waiting period.  I decided to replant rather than simply wait, so yesterday I put a few into an overnight soak of diluted H2O2 and distilled water.  The picture below shows these popping by 18 hours, before I could even transfer them to soil.  Given that it's almost March I'm glad to see these last rocotos moving so quickly!

 
Yeah, the bark mix will definitely rock out with real roots.  But it's gonna have much better (although still sub-par) results with seedlings in a much more humid climate.  And even then, humidity plus actual moisture.  And there's just something about growing indoors that never quite mimics outdoor growing.  but nevertheless, barks shine when roots run deep.
.
Sorry if I missed, or mis-read, but have you had a chance to pot anything into the pine bark fines mix yet?  Not the locally sourced stuff, but the other stuff?
.
I've never actually grown in such bark-heavy mixes indoors before, so this is an interesting watch for me, as well.  I think I may end up here in Seattle through the summer, so might get to observe the difference in dynamics, firsthand.  This is a really exciting growing zone, for the 2 actual weeks that one can grow non-permafrost vegetation.

 

[solid7]

Also...  Those Cuzco rocotos were the fasting growing rocotos that I've grown to date.  They started and grew VERY well for me, indoors.  I had an apartment in downtown Savannah, Georgia that I grew them out in last year, and basically neglected them when I went home on weekends. (nothing more than small fan and an underpowered light, that I kept on a timer, 8 hours a day)  I started them in my 70/20/10 coco/perlite/worm castings, and then, if memory serves, cut the whole thing with 50% bark.   Unfortunately, disaster struck that batch.  Both plants met an untimely death in a hostile climate, when I took them back to Florida. 

 

[CaneDog]

 
Yeah, the bark mix will definitely rock out with real roots.  But it's gonna have much better (although still sub-par) results with seedlings in a much more humid climate.  And even then, humidity plus actual moisture.  And there's just something about growing indoors that never quite mimics outdoor growing.  but nevertheless, barks shine when roots run deep.
.
Sorry if I missed, or mis-read, but have you had a chance to pot anything into the pine bark fines mix yet?  Not the locally sourced stuff, but the other stuff?
.
I've never actually grown in such bark-heavy mixes indoors before, so this is an interesting watch for me, as well.  I think I may end up here in Seattle through the summer, so might get to observe the difference in dynamics, firsthand.  This is a really exciting growing zone, for the 2 actual weeks that one can grow non-permafrost vegetation.

 
Yeah, Seattle has its pros and cons, like everywhere does.  Many gripe up here about the short season and weaker sun, but we avoid a whole lot of challenges that others deal with constantly.  It's just a matter of knowing what you're dealing with and playing the hand you're dealt.
 
I haven't tried the pine fines mix yet.  I plan to wait a bit and then run it side by side with the local fines and perhaps an organic-type of mix that's worked well here before.  I need to get the right plants at the right stage, though, and I haven't figured that out quite yet.  I'm leaning toward trying it with rocotos as I'm likely to have 3 of a given variety at a proper stage of development sooner than anything else.

 

[solid7]

 
I need to get the right plants at the right stage, though, and I haven't figured that out quite yet.

 
Just a general suggestion...  If you have ever ordered plants from an online nursery, think of the size plant that you receive.  That's a really great size for transplanting.  I generally go about another inch or so deep in my plant out container, and magic happens.

 

[CaneDog]

A few more pics just because.
 
PaulG's BJh-M - the biggest of 3.

 
One of 2 Eximium 1491 x USDA Cardenasii F1.  This one started a single lateral early that is really growing despite no others following its lead.

 
Giant Yellow Rocoto x Eximium CAP1491

 
Puno Amarillo Rocoto - First time growing these.  The second true leaves are surprisingly lanceolate, perhaps even more so than is apparent from the photo.

 
Hyperpube-X (Yellow) x CGN Cardenasii.  It's currently awaiting a more permanent home after having been unceremoniously yanked out of a rock wool cube it was sharing, as are a good handful of others right now.

 
I had a very cool looking accidental Reaper x Yaki Blue cross, but it dehydrated overnight after transplant and I couldn't save it.  I planted 5 more seeds in the hopes of getting another, but all I have now is too many reapers 

 
And on the subject of "too many," every one of Wiri Wiri's Wiri Wiri seeds I've planted has germinated.  After the first planting went 8/8, they weren't doing too well in the bark mixture so I just started another batch.  All of these germinated quickly too, even the "extra" 2 I dumped into the center hole just from being too lazy to put them back in the bag when I'd filled all 5 holes.  These pods taste so darn good - and unique - I'm going to be sure to grow-out at least 3 plants.

 

 

[CaneDog]

A few more
 
BJh-2 #1 update.  Cool vascularity.

 
Galapagos Habanero is melting like a scotch bonnet.

 

 
Hyperpube-X (Yellow) F2 #1.  I'm growing out 5 of these hoping to catch some variety and a recessive pairing.  They have good vigor.

 
Rocoto Orange Arequipa

 
Some Ecuador Sweet Rocotos

 

[HeatMiser]

Looking good CD! The bags seem to be working well and they look like the perfect size if you need to give some plants away. 
 
One question - do you know what causes the spots on the lower leaf of the Hyperpube-X you posted? Some of my plants have these spots on older leaves but are otherwise growing great so I'm just ignoring it. Doesn't look like nutrient deficiency from initial research.

 

[Bookers]

Looking awesome Dog! I do like the bags too...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[PaulG]

 One question - do you know what causes the spots on the lower leaf of the Hyperpube-X you posted? Some of my plants have these spots on older leaves but are otherwise growing great so I'm just ignoring it. Doesn't look like nutrient deficiency from initial research.

 
Looks like a little minor leaf spot of some kind. 
 
My plants get those, too. If they get too ugly,
I just cut them off.

 

[internationalfish]

I had a very cool looking accidental Reaper x Yaki Blue cross, but it dehydrated overnight after transplant and I couldn't save it.  I planted 5 more seeds in the hopes of getting another, but all I have now is too many reapers 

 
Aw man, that's a shame. 
 
The rest are looking great, though!

 

[CaneDog]

Looking good CD! The bags seem to be working well and they look like the perfect size if you need to give some plants away. 
 
One question - do you know what causes the spots on the lower leaf of the Hyperpube-X you posted? Some of my plants have these spots on older leaves but are otherwise growing great so I'm just ignoring it. Doesn't look like nutrient deficiency from initial research.

 
Thanks HM!  The bags are pretty good.  I'm not convinced yet, but I'm not hating them either.  Proper watering was a bit of a challenge when I was new to them and the plants were very small, but now I'm getting a handle on it.  My best guess on those spots is they're from letting things stay a little too wet when they were very small.  They have the downward droop and chlorosis/necroses spotting that's typical to that.
 

Looking awesome Dog! I do like the bags too...
 

 
Thanks Bookers!  The jury is still out on them and whether and how much I'll use them going forward.  I'm not unhappy though; I just haven't seen an overall advantage yet.  The roots a have just recently started growing out of the bags though, so I'll be curious to see how the plants continue to develop and how good the root branching will be come time of transplant.  That's what I'm really looking for.
 

 
Looks like a little minor leaf spot of some kind. 
 
My plants get those, too. If they get too ugly,
I just cut them off.

 
Same.  I suppose I could have prettied it up a bit for the picture, but I think it's still getting some use out of that one.  With the HeatMiser's keen eye, though, I might have to up my game! 
 

 
Aw man, that's a shame. 
 
The rest are looking great, though!

 
Yeah, I was pretty bummed about that one.  When I saw the dried up sprout I thought just as long as it's not...  but it was... 
 
Oh well.  Maybe I'll make that one happen with this season's plants.

 

[BDASPNY]

your plants are looking incredible!
 
too many seedlings at my house is called just enough with insurance ill have a good plant. lol

 

[dragonsfire]

Their all Impressive, temperature and environment must be perfect

 

[CaneDog]

your plants are looking incredible!
 
too many seedlings at my house is called just enough with insurance ill have a good plant. lol

 
Thanks, man!  It hasn't been a perfect start this season and I have my share of uggo's too, but everything's doing better now.
 

Their all Impressive, temperature and environment must be perfect

 
Thanks, DF - "perfect" might be a bit of a stretch 
 
By the way, I was just taking a picture of the 2 Pumpkin Habaneros - so happy to have these growing.

 
Also, this is a good example of how vigorous the Hyperpube-X's are.  Stout little trees.

 
And this is the last shot I took of a Yaki Blue seed from the batch that had developed their own, possibly beneficial fungi in Scottext.  IIRC, this guy popped and was transplanted shortly after.  The transplants are doing well - who'd have thought acupuncture would help with seed starting?!