CMPMAN1974 - 2012 Grow Log - Started 2/26/12

SocalChilehead · Jul 26, 2012

Great news Chris on the plants sorry to hear about the pepper maggots can not wait to see your garden pics again.

Spicegeist · Jul 26, 2012

cmpman1974 said:
I seem to have the most resistant pepper maggots on the face of this Earth. NOTHING stops these bastards. I just don't know any way to eliminate them from the garden. Fortunately, they leave the C. chinense alone mostly. and all smaller pods. They love the cherry bomb types and jalapenos. I don't know how any pest can be this destructive w/no way to eliminate them.

Chris

The Rocotos I'm growing on the patio have attracted these little characters too. After reading about them, it seems your assessment is correct - they are unstoppable. They are native to wherever Carolina Horsenettle is (where I live at least), so maybe their predators will also find their way into your garden too. The flies that develop are very easy to identify. They move very quickly, but I have managed to squish one.

KiNGDeNNiZ · Jul 28, 2012

Chris. Sorry to hear your struggles stud flowering/podding up. Here in SoCal we maybe have had 3-7 days if rain so far this year. And lately see been having hot and humid days. Fortunately they are in my sunshaded area. Things will boom for you. I'm sure of it. May the pepper gods watch over you. I want to plant my peppers in ground but last year I dealt with grubs that consumed my crop. The year before that spider mites made my pull everything. Grubs suck as hell. Btw. What kind of eggplants u growing. ?! Nice tomato flower. Btw. If u need mater seeds I have a few fun ones. Someone here has then teaspoon tomatoes. Those seem cool. Would you happen to know what kind of maters these are

Green then purple then red I think

Keep your head up
Denniz

patrick · Jul 28, 2012

Good to hear you're seeing some improvement Chris and sorry about the critters. I'm having my ups and downs too. Hope the good luck continues.

cmpman1974 · Jul 29, 2012

AJ, looks like we have a winner. Dream come true for me - REAL Red Scotch Bonnet finally.

Thanks so much.

Chris

PaulG · Jul 30, 2012

Glad to see some good pod news, Chris. On the other hand,
the pepper maggot thing is sucky. I've never heard of them
before. Seems like there are as many pepper pests as there
are pepper varieties.

Stiff upper lip, bro - looks like you are overcoming the obstacles
as they come your way. I wonder if there is some kind of predator
you could order and release to get after them?

I answered my own question:

http://www.plantdex.com/index.php/pests/163-controlling-pepper-maggot
Parasitic nematodes are also a possible control. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (H.B.) nematodes are active pepper maggot larva seekers and move quickly through the soil. To obtain these nematodes, please call the Experiment Station for a list of biological control suppliers. When adult flies are first detected in mid-July, the nematodes can be placed into the soil about 1 month later, from mid to late August, to intercept the maggots as they drop into the soil to pupate. They are effective in the first year of release if conditions are favorable.

Choosing resistant cultivars can also reduce pepper maggot populations. The adult female prefers fleshy peppers, such as dark green bell and cherry peppers, to lay her eggs on. Pepper plants, like the thin-walled Cayenne, Jalapeno, Tabasco yellow or red banana and Serrano peppers, are not attractive to the fly. Cultivars that reach maturity during August often sustain little damage because the adult flies are absent.

AlabamaJack · Jul 30, 2012

cmpman1974 said:
AJ, looks like we have a winner. Dream come true for me - REAL Red Scotch Bonnet finally. Thanks so much.

Chris

That's fantastic Chris...lets hope next year grows true also...

MGOLD86 · Jul 30, 2012

That is a beautiful pod you have there Chris. Definitely the perfect shape!

cmpman1974 · Jul 31, 2012

Well, it's time to take a trip to Korea - thanks Bootsie B!

Paul, I actually released these nematodes last year AND this Spring already. I was gifted them by a good friend here.

It's still early to see results, but I guess by year end I'll know if they made any positive difference. They are tough SOBs to eradicate for sure! Thanks for researching.

Chris

PaulG said:
Glad to see some good pod news, Chris. On the other hand,
the pepper maggot thing is sucky. I've never heard of them
before. Seems like there are as many pepper pests as there
are pepper varieties.

Stiff upper lip, bro - looks like you are overcoming the obstacles
as they come your way. I wonder if there is some kind of predator
you could order and release to get after them?

I answered my own question:

http://www.plantdex....g-pepper-maggot
Parasitic nematodes are also a possible control. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (H.B.) nematodes are active pepper maggot larva seekers and move quickly through the soil. To obtain these nematodes, please call the Experiment Station for a list of biological control suppliers. When adult flies are first detected in mid-July, the nematodes can be placed into the soil about 1 month later, from mid to late August, to intercept the maggots as they drop into the soil to pupate. They are effective in the first year of release if conditions are favorable.

Choosing resistant cultivars can also reduce pepper maggot populations. The adult female prefers fleshy peppers, such as dark green bell and cherry peppers, to lay her eggs on. Pepper plants, like the thin-walled Cayenne, Jalapeno, Tabasco yellow or red banana and Serrano peppers, are not attractive to the fly. Cultivars that reach maturity during August often sustain little damage because the adult flies are absent.

That Gogo's Laudium chile lit me up big time. I'm still trembling a bit after 5 minutes! Oh the Serbian variety is AWESOME - so sweet and crunchy. A real treat for sure.

stickman · Jul 31, 2012

Good on ya Cmpman...
I planted most of the same varieties from BootsieB. They're just getting red-ripe here, so you're a few weeks ahead. Cheers

915river · Jul 31, 2012

Very nice images Chris

cmpman1974 · Jul 31, 2012

Thanks Stickman and Vladan.

A few pictures of the garden to show how things have 'grown' since last update:

patrick · Jul 31, 2012

Looking real good Chris. Hope the 'todes work for ya.

PaulG · Jul 31, 2012

Awesome garden pics, my friend! Glad to hear you got the
nematodes already - will be interested to see how they do.
I wonder if repeated innoculations each year are necessary
for a while?

Hate pests! I gave foliar shot of Neem oil to the plants that show
evidence of chew holes, or have had a pod attacked. Preemptive strike!

Good luck, bro!

Silver_Surfer · Jul 31, 2012

Beautiful, very healthy plants man.

Have any Manzanos podding up yet? Heat here has given me zilch thus far.

Barley-pop57 · Jul 31, 2012

Chris,

Lookin good!! Looks like you don't have to worry about mowing your lawn much...lol. Cont'd good luck with peppers.

cmpman1974 · Jul 31, 2012

Silver, no pod set yet on them. The summer has been WAY too hot.

I'm hoping for a late set and to bring a few indoors. My climate is very frustrating when it comes to this species.

Silver_Surfer said:
Beautiful, very healthy plants man.

Have any Manzanos podding up yet? Heat here has given me zilch thus far.

915river · Jul 31, 2012

You have nice plant my friend nice & tall & healty soon both of as will be very busy deseeding bunch of pods but after all hard wok it worth it. Chris did you plant any of my crosses like Armageddon F-2,Kaval F-2, Impact F-2,Majur ljuta F-1 or any another .I like to see differenes from mine & yours when they ripe.

roper2008 · Jul 31, 2012

Wow, lots of peppers chris. I'm thinking next year I want to put most of mine in the
ground. How far apart are yours?

buddy · Aug 1, 2012

very nice looking chiles and very nice pictures. i always enjoy seeing pictures of your pods. the weather in illinois sucks this year too - way too hot and no rain. good luck!