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

stc3248 · Apr 15, 2012

When do we get some new pics? Main reason I'm posting is to steal the top of the page from Paul G... :dance:

Looking forward to the next update!
Shane

Beaglestorm · Apr 15, 2012

I'd be lying if I did't say that I check your Glog once a day for new pictures. Just saying... lol

Flamecycle · Apr 15, 2012

Beaglestorm said:
I'd be lying if I did't say that I check your Glog once a day for new pictures. Just saying... lol

+1

cmpman1974 · Apr 19, 2012

Oh I don't think my late start of Feb 26th is hurting me too badly this season.

Here's an update. The 36 cell plug trays are working well for most, but it is very important to keep similar pepper species together for best results (i.e., annuums with annuums, chinense with chinense). Otherwise, smaller growing plants get drowned out for light. I had to move some to their own separate containers when that happened. I'm thrilled with the size of these seedlings given they aren't even 8 weeks old!

I should've waited two more weeks to start tomatoes. They are almost ready to go out. I may experiment with a few this year and put them out early since we're having much warmer weather than previous years. If I lose the gamble, oh well. There will be back-ups.

The smaller tray of pepper seedlings were started mid-March so that's why they are this size. Still plenty of time yet.

Chris

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ZINNIA FLOWERS - 50 CT CELL PLUG

GROW ROOM

LETTUCE SEEDLINGS - READY TO HARDEN OFF THIS WEEK

Spicegeist · Apr 19, 2012

Nice lush growth, plants look contented. Such a clean and shiny space... like a laboratory.

cmpman1974 · Apr 19, 2012

Spicegeist, I'm not sure I'd give the area a laboratory clean level label. lol. It has been cleaner than previous years so that's a plus.

Thanks for the nice comment on the plants.

Chris

AlabamaJack · Apr 19, 2012

looks like you are on your way Chris...good luck this season man...

millworkman · Apr 19, 2012

Wow Chris those plants are looking gorgeous. Nice work man.

patrick · Apr 19, 2012

Looking like the true professional you are Chris.

Are the peppers with the darker leaves in the 6th picture down your 7 Pot Congo's? The one I had survive has the same color.

Pr0digal_son · Apr 19, 2012

Chris are you using any hid lighting? I think I remember you saying you were looking to buy one. What kind of zinnia? I have thumbelina and starlight rose growing.

ajijoe · Apr 20, 2012

nice work my friend keep it up

your friend Joe

PIC 1 · Apr 20, 2012

Very professional, indeed!

. I compared these photos from your first batch ... your plants have really taken off!
Good luck with your plantout

Greg

kiddc · Apr 23, 2012

those lettuce looks delish. what kind are they?

And yes, i agree, your grow area looks spotless. I will endeavour to keep mine as clean as yours.
Seedlings looks way too perfect!

cmpman1974 · Apr 26, 2012

Patrick, no the darker leafed plants are my Pimenta Elisa - AISPES plants.

patrick said:
Looking like the true professional you are Chris.

Are the peppers with the darker leaves in the 6th picture down your 7 Pot Congo's? The one I had survive has the same color.

No HID lighting used yet. I'm using regular T12s and have transitioned some peppers to T5s a week ago. I don't want to push growth too much. I really don't want to pot up if I can avoid it. I'm pretty happy with the size of most. Perhaps waiting 1-2 more weeks to sow my first batch of seeds would've been the optimal timing in my region. We'll see.

Pr0digal_son said:
Chris are you using any hid lighting? I think I remember you saying you were looking to buy one. What kind of zinnia? I have thumbelina and starlight rose growing.

Kiddc, the lettuce is a french mix of different leaf types I got from an Italian seed supplier back in 2007. I forgot the exact name. I'll need to look it up.

kiddc said:
those lettuce looks delish. what kind are they?

And yes, i agree, your grow area looks spotless. I will endeavour to keep mine as clean as yours.
Seedlings looks way too perfect!

mascalzone · Apr 26, 2012

Great job Chris, the plants are in perfect shape and also a beautiful rich green, you are a teacher :clap:

Pepper-Guru · Apr 26, 2012

Nice mobile plant stations! I would like to get some shelves like that before the season over with. Sure does look great and easily moved around! You got some healthy plants Chris! Grow on brotha!

patrick · Apr 26, 2012

Thanks for the response Chris. Do your 7 Pot Congo's have darker leaves?

jsschrstrcks · May 12, 2012

awesome looking plants! would love to see more pictures!

cmpman1974 · May 12, 2012

I just moved 80% of my plants out to my plastic 'cold frames' outdoors to start the hardening off process. We've had some pretty nice weather here compared to other years. Low temps of 55-60+ at night for the 7-day forecast. A "sea of green" is out there. lol. I have another 144 plants to put out that are in 36-cell plug trays (4 separate trays). Overall, I'm convinced at this point that growing in these plug trays and 2.5" square x 3.75" deep individual pots (same as Cross County Nurseries) is most efficient from a space/cost perspective. A few times you may get a plant that grows very fast and needs to be potted up to a 3.5" or 4.5" square pot, but generally if started 75-90 days ahead of plant-out, it's a perfect strategy. I can fit 140+ plants under a single 4' long x 18' wide shelf. Not too bad.

I'll post more pictures soon.

Chris

highalt · May 12, 2012

I'm glad you posted this, Chris! My grow table is about the same dimensions as your shelves, and I potted mine up from the plugs to the 3 1/4" pots. I could only fit 4 of the trays (18 pots each) on the table. When I had a few late sprouters, I had to put them in 2/12" pots, because that's all the room I had left on the table. Otherwise it meant using a 2nd growlight. Anyway, the ones in the 2 1/2" pots caught up to the ones in the larger pots pretty quickly. It didn't seem to hurt them at all to be in smaller pots. I may put all of them in that size next year. That way I'll have room to grow even more peppers.