Compmodder26's 2014 Grow Log - Supers ripening

So my 2012-2013 season has offically come to a close.  All of my plants are now composting with the exception of one plant.  I picked the final 3 pods off of my 7 Pot Brown this weekend.  Potted the mother down to a 3 gallon pot and gave her a haircut.  She's in her new home for the winter.  Crossing my fingers as this is my first time to try overwintering a plant.
 

 

 
I will be back on in a bit to post my grow list for 2014.
 
There won't be much activity on this glog until mid-late January.  That's when I'll be starting my Chinenses.  
 
 
Stay tuned...

 

[OCD Chilehead]

That sucks. I hope the second round has better results.

 

[compmodder26]

Good list, hey at least you didn't lose all your starters!

Hey, Brian, sorry to hear about the damping off; that's sucky for sure.
The survivors look great, though, and that's an awesome round two start-up!

Sorry to hear about the set back too. At least it's still early and you're going back at it.  I'll be curious to see how the wood chips tilled into the soil works.  Is 6 months enough to break them down to avoid nitrogen lock up?  I use the wood as a mulch and figure that over the years they'll break down.  Also, I see your white bhuts had good germination rates and times. I noticed that because mine were the same, they popped up early and almost every seed germinated.  I loved the flavor of those last year.

That sucks. I hope the second round has better results.

 
Thanks for the good vibes guys!  This 2nd round is already kicking into high gear.  Less than 7 days in, and I'm seeing plenty of action.  Every variety of my Annuums/Baccatums has at least 1 seedling pop through the soil except for the Jimmy Nardelos. 
 

 
 I also have 1 White Bhut, 1 7 Pot Burgundy, 1 Scotch Bonnet, and 2 Choco Habs that have popped through the soil as well.

Sorry to hear about the set back too. At least it's still early and you're going back at it.  I'll be curious to see how the wood chips tilled into the soil works.  Is 6 months enough to break them down to avoid nitrogen lock up?  I use the wood as a mulch and figure that over the years they'll break down.  Also, I see your white bhuts had good germination rates and times. I noticed that because mine were the same, they popped up early and almost every seed germinated.  I loved the flavor of those last year.

 
Sorry Andy, forgot to respond to your question about the wood chips.  I've talked this over with Gary (Windchicken), and from what we've both looked at, 6 months should be sufficient for the majority of the N lock out to have subsided.  It it proves otherwise, I'm not opposed to adding some high N suppliment as needed.  I did it last year with great success.  Just wish I had done so earlier last season, as I could have at least doubled my total harvests.

 

[OCD Chilehead]

That's awesome. Keeping my fingers crossed they all pop. By the way the powder mix you sent was fantastic.

 

[compmodder26]

That's awesome. Keeping my fingers crossed they all pop. By the way the powder mix you sent was fantastic.

 
Thanks.  I'm glad you like it!

 

[Pulpiteer]

Sorry Andy, forgot to respond to your question about the wood chips.  I've talked this over with Gary (Windchicken), and from what we've both looked at, 6 months should be sufficient for the majority of the N lock out to have subsided.  It it proves otherwise, I'm not opposed to adding some high N suppliment as needed.  I did it last year with great success.  Just wish I had done so earlier last season, as I could have at least doubled my total harvests.

Cool - thanks for answering. It'll be interesting to watch. I'm wondering if the wood being chipped up helps it break down faster, which would make it release the nutrients. The wood has to be good for your fungal life in the soil as well. Have you heard of hugelkultur? Basically burying wood - trees and branches into raised mounds and planting on top of that. From what I've read with that system, the first year can have some nitrogen issues, but then it starts to break down and works amazing. Anyway, good luck this season!

 

[compmodder26]

The fungal life is thriving right now on my raised beds.  You should see the white rot fungus that is at work in there.  I'm using the same method in them as I am in the community plot.  Moving the top layer of chips aside, I can see that the chips underneath have been broken down quite a bit and look almost like pure humus.  It really is a pretty sight.  I have heard of huglkultur.  It seems to work on much the same principle as RCW except the placement of the wood is opposite.  Not sure how long the wood in the mound lasts, but only downside I see from that would be that you'd eventually have to rebuild the bed/mound.  The great thing about RCW is that you just have to keep adding a top dressing of mulch yearly and it will continue to replenish the soil.
 
Good luck to you too Andy!  Thanks for stopping in.

 

[jedisushi06]

I good good results on my last tray hope you do too.

 

[compmodder26]

I good good results on my last tray hope you do too.

 
It's looking very promising right now.  I've got sprouts on all varieties except for 7 Pot White and Yellow Bhut.  It's only been 7 days too.

 

[compmodder26]

Things are progressing nicely in the second round of seeds.  I have at least 1 sprout for every variety I planted except for 7 Pot White.  I've gone ahead and removed the germination mat as it was drying out the soil too much and I've got good amounts of seedlings already.  I figure that any that haven't popped above the soil yet will do so anyway now.
 
Here's a pic of the 2nd round of plants:

 
First round seedlings look happy as well.  The Reaper in the back still has the seed helmet on.  Not sure if it will come out on its own just yet.

 

[OCD Chilehead]

Awesome. Looks like your lucks turning around.

 

[compmodder26]

Just thought I'd share my quadruple cotyledon Orchid seedling with you guys:

 

[stc3248]

Sweet! Often the quad coty plants are actually conjoined twins! Will be interesting to watch it grow!

 

[compmodder26]

Update time.  Things are progressing nicely on all fronts right now.  
 
The 2nd round starts are really taking off.  All my varieties have at least 2 seedlings that have come up.  Most have at least 5 seedlings.  I've gone ahead and culled the cells that had multiple seedlings sprout.
 
The 1st round is still progressing, but not by as much as the 2nd rounders.  I think it's combo of root development stage and them starting to want some nutrients.  I'm waiting on an order of Happy Frog to come in at my local hydro shop.  When that comes in I'll probably go ahead and pot up the first rounders into 1 quart size root pouches.  The Happy Frog should take care of their nutrient needs until I plant out in mid May.
 
Here's a pic of the first rounders (Sad news, it looks like the lone Reaper has given up the ghost.  It fell over this morning and the seed helmet has never come off.  Oh well, I have plenty more of other varieties):

Interesting how the Monster Naga looks to be developing purple leaves.  The purple color appears to be more than just a mere suntan.  It'll be interesting to see how the other MN starts develop.
 
 
2nd Rounders:

 

[Jeff H]

Plants look nice and healthy. Should be getting about transplant time for those 2nd rounders. I just did most of my last 72 cell tray. That was a job.

 

[jedisushi06]

Sounds like you had good germination rates, I didn't plant the white 7 pots this year.

 

[compmodder26]

Things are moving along quite nicely now.  I have all of the plants I want to keep potted up into 1 quart root pouches except for the 2 7 Pot Whites that took forever to germ.  I'll give them another week, then I'll put them in new homes as well.  The plants are taking to their new homes nicely.  I think they are grateful for the nutrients that are in the Happy Frog, as they are greening up quite nicely and are growing MUCH faster.  Can't wait to see the difference between now and plant out in mid May.
 
Pics:
 
Shot of all the babies:

 
 
Closer views:

 

 
Leftovers in need of a home.  Going to give out to friends and family:

 

[OCD Chilehead]

Everything is looking good Brian. I like those quart pouches. I was thinking of potting up with those or 1 gallon plastic pouches. I still have until the end of May to plant out. Just wait and see what the look like in 2 weeks. Good luck and thanks for the update.

 

[compmodder26]

Everything is looking good Brian. I like those quart pouches. I was thinking of potting up with those or 1 gallon plastic pouches. I still have until the end of May to plant out. Just wait and see what the look like in 2 weeks. Good luck and thanks for the update.

 
Thanks for the kind words Chuck.  If I had the space I would certainly go for the 1 gallons, but I can't fit 44 1 gallon pots in my grow boxes.  So I opted for the 1 quart root pouches.  Since they are root pouches, I won't have to worry about the roots circling and becoming a tangly mess.  By the time I'm ready to plant out, they should have a very vigorous root system.

 

[OCD Chilehead]

That's the same problem I'm having. I'm up to 62 plants and have some mystery Habs and yellow Cayennes germinating right now. More plants equals more space equals more lights. Was just wondering. How many plants do you guess I could put in a square foot using your pouches? 4?

 

[compmodder26]

That's the same problem I'm having. I'm up to 62 plants and have some mystery Habs and yellow Cayennes germinating right now. More plants equals more space equals more lights. Was just wondering. How many plants do you guess I could put in a square foot using your pouches? 4?

 
Yep, I would say 4 would be the max.