Dennish 2016 - Bacca to the Future

No specific theme this year, as although I enjoyed sourcing and growing Fataliis last season I did find this a little limiting for other things I wanted to grow.  So this year I return to my usual eclectic mix of old favourites and new varieties I'm itching to try!
 
Current list updated 16/01:

 
I’ve decided to go heavy on c.baccatum this season, I just can’t get enough of the beautiful flavours and mid-range heat.
 
I’ve also been careful to limit my super hots and generally turned down the SHU wick a bit this year too, as to be honest I only have limited use for the face melters.
 
I’m growing out my own Lemon Drop x Aji White Fantasy cross… can’t wait to see what Lemon Drop Fantasy will bring and very excited about this, hoping for something special. 
 
The mysterious and uniquely shaped Death Cap hybrid will also make an appearance, will the F2 yield the same blistering heat and pod shape?  On the subject of hybrids, I'm the lucky recipient (thanks John!) of the Madame Jeanette x Goronong cross all the way from Holland.
 
So far I've had great germination rates including my Lemon Drop Fantasy crosses which are flying, I'm going to have to pot them up soon and cull a few as had multiple loops in each pellet...

 
Meanwhile, my overwinters doing very nicely, TS CARDI veteran looking positively perky after hard cutback root and branch for the 5th time (Year 5)!

 

 

 

 

 
Hope 2016 is a decent year weather wise here in the UK!  Good luck for a great season all.
 
Cheers,

Dennish

 

[dennish]

The weather has been unseasonably kind of late in Yorkshire, so all of my plants now potted-up and moved out into the GH, happy days!
 

 

 

 
[URL="http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160506/cb5ea9a06071368c673494a824da97dc.jpg%5B/img"]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160506/cb5ea9a06071368c673494a824da97dc.jpg[/img[/URL]]
 
[IMG]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160510/98eb894e201d22fe1d3d1e9344e0c981.jpg
 

 

 
Space is tight but I manage to squeeze every last inch out of my greenhouse.  Here is this seasons ‘final’ layout (always room for one more plant!).

 
As you can see a similar layout last season produced a ‘bit of a jungle’!

 
I’m using wick fed pots almost exclusively, i.e. passive hydro.  I’ve had great results from GH Sensations planters and made my own individual units which are based on this design to great effect over the years.

 
Also, my Aji White Fantasy X Lemon Drop F1 continues to excite with it's unique pod shape.  Large, somehow alien like pods with slightly bulbous tops, wedge shaped and a deep central groove.  About 5cm x 2.5cm and these are only the first pods, I'm certain when the plant is in a bigger pot and mature the later pods will be larger.
 

 
Seeing the way the dangle from the plant reminds me of something from a science fiction B Movie...
 
Aji Bodysnatcher has a certain ring to it
 

 
Can't wait to see what colour they turn out and taste them!

 

[Comptine]

Wow! I'm super impressed with the system you've got going in the greenhouse. It looks so neat! What size are your pots? I think I have the identical large square pots, but without any sort of wicking system, I just like them because they use the space more effectively than round pots do in my greenhouse. 

 

[dragonsfire]

Awesome looking plants, nice greenhouse

 

[dennish]

Wow! I'm super impressed with the system you've got going in the greenhouse. It looks so neat! What size are your pots? I think I have the identical large square pots, but without any sort of wicking system, I just like them because they use the space more effectively than round pots do in my greenhouse. 

My pots are mainly 11l, with some 6l and a few larger 26l too... Thanks for the comments! If you google greenhouse sensation, they do a variety of self watering planters which I would highly recommend.

Awesome looking plants, nice greenhouse

Cheers dragonsfire!

 

[dennish]

Quick update for this week...

Weather has been good, greenhouse has had decent night temps +10c so far since plant out.

Apple tree coming into blossom too [emoji1]

Steady progress in the GH... Hope this weather continues!

The pods on my Aji white fantasy x lemon drop looking more plump and delicious each day, ripen damn you!

 

[Trident chilli]

Looking good Dennis as always you are very organised ... time to wash the light blue pots and pack away till next season

 

[Spicegeist]

Great varieties.  Love that 5-year old plant.  Only thing missing is a good Bhut Jolokia...

 

[dennish]

Looking good Dennis as always you are very organised ... time to wash the light blue pots and pack away till next season

Thanks John!  Wife Camouflage pots safely stored and Defcon 1 cancelled with the wife around occupancy of the living room windowsill! 

Great varieties.  Love that 5-year old plant.  Only thing missing is a good Bhut Jolokia...

Thanks Spicegeist, I do have Bhut Orange Copenhagen on the go this season so think I have that box ticked too...  

 

[Spicegeist]

 
Thanks Spicegeist, I do have Bhut Orange Copenhagen on the go this season so think I have that box ticked too...  

 
The BOC will be interesting, but what I mean is a classic red Bhut Jolokia.  Something for next year perhaps?  I can send you some seed that will definitely grow true if you like for the occasion.

 

[dennish]

 
The BOC will be interesting, but what I mean is a classic red Bhut Jolokia.  Something for next year perhaps?  I can send you some seed that will definitely grow true if you like for the occasion.

Cheers for the offer, I may well take you up on it when thoughts turn to next season's grow.

 

[dennish]

Weekly round-up from sunny East Yorkshire...
 
Greenhouse a bit cramped as I've potted up pumpkins, squash and courgettes, all squatting at the moment until I put them outside in June... think my limited success last season was me planting out too soon so not taking any chances.

 
Both my crosses now potted up into 6l pots and in final positions... I figured the change in temps / environment may speed ripening whilst giving the plant chance to spread it's wings hopefully!
 

 

 
2nd year Aji Melecoton now podding up too, this plant doesn't like the SWP I've decided, as each time I fill up the res it's leaves start to yellow and drop.  The roots have hit the wick and are visible...  if I water from the top it seems happier, so thats what I'm doing for now.  I'll be keeping a close eye on my other baccas for similar traits.

 
Big Jim's looking more and more beastly... BJ Heritage in the AirPot has exploded with laterals on steroids from every node.

 
Chinenses sulking a bit still, I'm nipping all pods strictly at the moment to encourage vegetative growth.
 
Meanwhile 5 year old TS CARDI coming on nicely 

 

[mrgrowguy]

Love the old plant, love the hairs on that Orange Blob (reminds me of my black cobra). Great Glog, thanks for sharing!

 

[dragonsfire]

Great looking plant, Great stem

 

[Malarky]

Look at that TRUNK!

 

[mrgrowguy]

You should consider bonsai'ing some pepper plants. You have the potential!

 

[dennish]

Love the old plant, love the hairs on that Orange Blob (reminds me of my black cobra). Great Glog, thanks for sharing!

 

You should consider bonsai'ing some pepper plants. You have the potential!

Cheers Mr GG!  
 
Orange Blob is a new one for me, really looking forward to it... it's pretty unique in terms of growth habit when compared to any other chinense I've grown before.
 
I cut back the TS CARDI hard root and branch to overwinter, so when it starts to re-grow in a smaller pot I get that effect.  Also, I've stripped any growth form the stem over the years and now it seems to have given up trying and I'm just left with a beautiful woody trunk.  Hope I get another few seasons out of the old boy, 5 years is my record.

Great looking plant, Great stem

 

Look at that TRUNK!

Thanks guys!
 
Check out a few pics of the veteran plant at different stages I posted up in this thread...
 
Regrowth after hard cutback and re-potting
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/42085-show-me-your-chile-plant-with-the-fattest-trunk/?p=1266479
 
Fully loaded
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/42085-show-me-your-chile-plant-with-the-fattest-trunk/?p=1222481

 

[karoo]

I have one severe case of growtech envy overhere.
I really like your setup.
Where does your plants overwinter ?
Do you need to heat your greenhouse ?

 

[dennish]

I have one severe case of growtech envy overhere.
I really like your setup.
Where does your plants overwinter ?
Do you need to heat your greenhouse ?

Thanks for the comments Karoo!
 
I overwinter a chosen few (2 or 3 plants at most) indoors on a windowsill in a heated room in smaller pots, after a hard root and branch cutback.  I don't heat my greehouse, plants grown indoors on windowsill until the beginning of May and then moved into the GH... night temps still borderline here in the UK!

 

[OCD Chilehead]

Very nice garden. Plant's look amazing. Congrat's on the 5 year's. That is amazing.

 

[dennish]

Very nice garden. Plant's look amazing. Congrat's on the 5 year's. That is amazing.

Thanks OCD appreciate the comments!