DocNrock's 2013 Glog - 7/11/13

My 2013 grow officially began 10/14/2012, when seeds hit soil. After seeing Fernando (SocalChilehead) growing in his greenhouse "sanctuary" and KiNGDeNNiZ continuing to start new growth in his AeroGarden, as well as the community HP22B grow thread already being 8 pages, I broke down and started my 2013 grow. I was going to limit it to 50 varieties, but that ended up being 64, 77 including the plants I want to save from 2012. If some varieties don't pop or I end up losing some along the way, I might still be down to 50 (or less!) in no time. The grow list with pop dates is at the bottom of this post.

Since I had plenty of seeds I wanted to try an experiment. Which is better for germination, soil or Rapid Rooters? I have two mini-greenhouses with 36 soil cups each, and one mini-greenhouse with a 72 cell insert loaded with Rapid Rooters. All seeds were soaked overnight in water that had been boiled and cooled and contained a dilution of brewed chamomile tea and H2O2. The Rapid Rooters and soil were both moistened with the same mix. The soil is Sungro Sunshine mix #1 amended lightly with Ancient Forest and worm castings. Wondering if the organisms in the amendments might help break down the seed coat. Each cell contains about five seeds. This will force me to cull the weaklings, as opposed to trying to save them, hahaha! At most I will end up with two seedlings for each variety. If both survive, I can try to gift one of the two. I am thinking that some varieties may germinate better in soil, some better in the Rapid Rooters, and for some it may not make a difference. I read somewhere that kelp solutions are rich in growth hormones. Has anyone added a light kelp solution dilution to their germination setup? I was thinking of adding a couple of drops to each Rapid Rooter cell. Fert-wise, the kelp solutions are very, very weak. I doubt it would do any harm. Has anyone ever tried the kelp? I have not, but might try it later on anything that seems stubborn to sprout.

I am hoping these guys are all budded up come springtime, and ready for an early harvest. Since my indoor space is limited, I am giving serious consideration to building a small greenhouse in the backyard and putting in a couple of space heaters for the night time. I decided against a raised bed, and will probably go with 5 gallon Root Pouches for the larger plants. Some of the annuums and plants I'm as yet unsure of I will grow in 2 gallon pots. If I end up liking them, I can always up-pot them.

Getting organized:

Man, I hope I didn't mix any of these up! 64 cups to keep straight is a far cry from 3. It will be 6 months until I know for sure!:

Rapid Rooters:

Soil:

Let the waiting game begin!:

Also, in case anyone is interested, the white plastic labelling tags are available at Discount Hydroponics, $2.95/100! Cheaper than popsickle sticks!

Regarding the plants I already have, I am going to try to start cuttings off most of them in the event the plants don't make it over the winter. I won't need to start those from seed, although there are four varieties (Douglah, Fatalii, Barrackpore and Yellow Bhut) I am starting from seed, as well.

Question: When we start a new grow season, is it typical to just add to one's glog thread, or is it appropriate to start a new thread for the new grow year?

Anyway, happy growing to you all and thanks for looking. I'm hoping all the lessons I learned this year will help me to make this grow much more successful!

GROW LIST: I will try to edit in pop dates for both soil and Rapid Rooters. The Rapid Rooters might get earlier pop dates since I can see the rootlets before hooks form.

Sown seeds (65):

Trinidad Scorpion (AJIJOE) 10/20/12 (RR)
HP22B (Pepper Joe) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/27/12 (soil)
Primo (Primo) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Billy Boy Jonah (Silver_Surfer via Coheed) 10/22/12 (RR)
7 Pot Congo Gigantic (Pepperlover) 10/23/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
7 Pot Barrackpore (Biscgolf) 10/27/12 (RR)
Dorset Naga (Pepperlover - pods) 10/24/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Naga Morich (Biscgolf - pods) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/24/12 (soil)
Bhut Jolokia (JoynersHotPeppers)
Red Rocoto (SocalChilihead) 10/22/12 (RR)
Malawi Peppadew (Refiningfirechiles) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/24/12 (soil)
Trinidad PI281317 (Pepperlover) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/24/12 (soil)
Anaheim (Pepperlover - gift)
7 Pot Chiguanas (Silver Surfer via Coheed) 10/23/12 (RR)
Red Devil's Tongue (Pepperlover - gift) 10/28/12 (RR)
Butch T (Pepperlover - pods) 10/24/12 (RR)
7 Pot Jonah (Pepperlover - pods) 10/27/12 (RR)
7 Pot Burgundy (Silver_Surfer via Coheed) 10/23/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Infinity 10/20/12 (soil), 10/22/12 (RR)
Yellow Moruga (Pepperlover) 10/23/12 (soil), 10/23/12 (RR)
Yellow Brain (Biscgolf) 10/24/12 (RR)
Yellow Bhut Jolokia (Biscgolf) 10/26/12 (soil)
Fatalii (AJIJOE) 10/22/12 (RR),10/28/12 (soil)
7 Pot Yellow (Biscgolf) 10/24/12 (RR)
Peach Bhut (AJIJOE) 10/28/12 (RR)
Beni Highland (AJIJOE) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/22/12 (soil)
Trinidad Morova (Pepperlover) 10/23/12 (soil), 10/28/12 (RR)
7 Pot Orange (Silver_Surfer via Coheed) 10/23/12 (soil), 10/28/12 (RR)
Golden Cayenne (SocalChilehead) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/20/12 (soil)
Yellow Scotch Bonnet (AJIJOE) 10/22/12 (soil), 10/22/12 (RR)
7 Pot Brown (Biscgolf) 10/24/12 (soil)
Douglah (Biscgolf) 10/27/12 (soil)
Black Habanero (Refiningfirechiles) 10/20/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Chocolate Scorpion (KiNGDeNNiZ) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/23/12 (soil)
Douglah x Chocolate Scorpion F4 (Silver_Surfer via Coheed) 10/23/12 (RR), 10/24/12 (soil)
Black Naga (Refiningfirechiles) 10/20/12 (soil)
Pasilla Bajio (Refiningfirechiles) 10/22/12 (soil), 10/27/12 (RR)
Long Chocolate Habanero (AJIJOE) 10/24/12 (RR), 10/24/12 (soil)
Chocolate Habanero (AJIJOE) 10/23/12 (soil), 10/24/12 (RR)
Black Stinger (Refiningfirechiles) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/23/12 (soil)
7 Pot White (Pepperlover) 10/24/12 (RR), 10/27/12 (soil)
Giant White Habanero (AJIJOE) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/23/12 (soil)
White Bullet Habanero (AJIJOE) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
White Devil's Tongue (Silver_Surfer via Coheed) 10/28/12 (RR)
Serrano (Pepper Joe - free) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/19/12 (soil) ***FIRST SOIL***
Jalapeno (Pepper Joe - free) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/20/12 (soil)
Red Bell (store bought pepper) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Andy F1 Gochu (Stickman via SocalChilehead) 10/17/12 (RR) ***TIED, FIRST OVERALL*** 10/23/12 (soil)
Korean Winner Hybrid (Stickman via SocalChilehead) 10/17/12 (RR) ***TIED, FIRST OVERALL***
Pimenta de Neyde (SocalChilehead) 10/28/12 (RR)
Trinidad Scorpion Green (SocalChilehead) 10/19/12 (RR)
Most Prolific C.chacoense (Pepperlover - gift) 10/23/12 (RR)
Royal Black (AJIJOE) 10/22/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Assam (SocalChilehead) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/22/12 (soil)
Trinidad Scorpion "FG" (AJIJOE) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/24/12 (soil)
Australian Lantern Habanero (AJIJOE) 10/26/12 (RR), 10/26/12 (soil)
Aji Yellow (AJIJOE) 10/23/12 (RR)
Jamaican Hot Chocolate (KiNGDeNNiZ) 10/22/12 (RR)
Aji Omnicolor (OROZCONLECHE) 10/19/12 (RR)
Not-Trinidad Scorpion (long yellow pod from Arboretum, KiNGDeNNiZ) 10/22/12 (RR)
Mystery Chocolate Mix (Silver_Surfer) 10/23/12 (RR)
Red Congo (AJIJOE) 10/23/12 (RR)
Peach Habanero (AJIJOE) 10/19/12 (RR), 10/22/12 (soil)
Yellow Hablokia (AJIJOE) 10/20/12 (RR), 10/22/12 (soil)
Sown 10/20/12
Yellow Bell (store-bought pepper) 10/23/12 (RR)
Sown 10/28/12
Chocolate Bell (Refiningfirechiles)
Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion (Refiningfirechiles)
Malaysian Goronong (Refiningfirechiles)
Douglah (Refiningfirechiles)
Peter (Refiningfirechiles)
Yellow Bhut (Refiningfirechiles)
Chocolate Bhut (Refiningfirechiles)
Aji Pineapple (Refiningfirechiles)
Aji Dulce 1 (Tradewinds)
Datil (Tradewinds)
Goat's Horn (Tradewinds)
NuMex Big Jim (Tradewinds)
Paprika (Tradewinds)
Brain Strain 7 (PepperRidge)


What I hope to save from my current grow, either whole plants or clones (13):

Carribean Red (local nursery)
Aji Panca (Refiningfirechiles)
Peter Pepper (Refiningfirechiles)
Jamaican Yellow Mushroom (Refiningfirechiles)
Moruga (Refiningfirechiles)
Malaysian Goronong (Refiningfirechiles)
Thai Dragon (North Park Produce)
Chenzo (North Park Produce)
Red Brain Strain (Baker's Peppers - pods)
Chinese 5-color (Orozconleche)
Aji Dulce (Orozconleche)
Datil (Orozconleche)
Bonnie "World's Hottest Hab" (Fatalii?) (Home Depot)

I'm going to do my best to keep one of each alive, but with 77 total, I might be lucky if a few croak!

 

[stickman]

Thanks, Rick. You back home yet, or is it tomorrow? Been toying with the idea of a timed drip system, but have also been house shopping. So we will see. Happy New Year!

Hi Brent
We're pushing it back another day because the weather here is supposed to be pretty nasty tomorrow with about 6 inches of "wintry mix"... snow, sleet and freezing rain incoming, so the return will be the day after tomorrow and early to bed because I have to work on New Year's Day (I'm a home health aide).

the plan is to get the growing area ready mid-week and plant the first wave of seeds next weekend. Cheers

 

[DocNrock]

Hi Brent
We're pushing it back another day because the weather here is supposed to be pretty nasty tomorrow with about 6 inches of "wintry mix"... snow, sleet and freezing rain incoming, so the return will be the day after tomorrow and early to bed because I have to work on New Year's Day (I'm a home health aide).

the plan is to get the growing area ready mid-week and plant the first wave of seeds next weekend. Cheers

Glad to hear you are home Rick, safe and sound, and as a bonus, the agency didn't need you on New Year's Day! Awesome! Looking forward to seeing the true start of your 2013 season!

Decided to do a New Year's Day update, with a focus on a few select plants.

L to R: Beni Highland, Sepia Serpent F4, Yellow Brain. Also note the Goat's Horn in the background to the right. Why it took a right turn growing I have no idea. It has been where it is since I moved it to the greenhouse.

Korean Winner Gochu, Andy F1 Gochu, and Pasilla Bajio:

Chocolate Hab, White Bullet Hab, and Black Stinger:

?PI281317, Trinidad Scorpion "FG", and Douglah:

Long Choc Hab, Trinidad Morova, and Yellow Scotch Bonnet:

Yellow Hablokia, Black Hab, Malawi Peppadew:

Billy Boy 7 Pot Jonah, Chocolate Stinger, Black Naga:

First clone attempt ever, and it worked! Aji Panca, although the plant this was cloned from is a three foot tall plant that has yet to make a single flower!

Another Sepia Serpent F4, Pimenta de Neyde, and 7 Pot White:

That's the best I've got for a New Year's update. If I can get a little bump, I've got a couple of more, but nothing too exciting.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Brent

 

[Stefan_W]

Careful with the clone, it is liable to run amock and try to take over the world. At least that is what clones do in the movies I watch late at night.

Happy New Year, Brent!

 

[DocNrock]

Careful with the clone, it is liable to run amock and try to take over the world. At least that is what clones do in the movies I watch late at night.

Happy New Year, Brent!

Stefan, sounds like the movies my Wife watches. Thanks, Bro, Happy New Year to you and yours, as well.

 

[KiNGDeNNiZ]

Brent plants look hella nice.. i sowed some SSerpents but none popped... oh well...one day you need to swing by and show me the ropes so i too can have my walk in greenhouse.. =D Happy New Year Doc

 

[Trippa]

Looking good doc. That glasshouse is certainly paying dividend's

 

[stickman]

Hi Doc
Happy New Year! I see at least one of your gochus is blossoming. Is that the Andy? Cheers

 

[DocNrock]

Brent plants look hella nice.. i sowed some SSerpents but none popped... oh well...one day you need to swing by and show me the ropes so i too can have my walk in greenhouse.. =D Happy New Year Doc

Thanks for stopping in, Denniz. I have more SSF4 seeds if you need some. I got pretty good germ rates,

Looking good doc. That glasshouse is certainly paying dividend's

Thanks Trippa! I couldn't have done this without the GH, that's for sure!

Hi Doc
Happy New Year! I see at least one of your gochus is blossoming. Is that the Andy? Cheers

Thanks Rick, you too! It is indeed the Andy, but the KW is making buds, too!

 

[PaulG]

Your grow is awesome, Brent! Your greenhouse turned out to be just the ticket
for those babies. And good job on the Panca clone, it looks really healthy and
vigorous. Makes me want to enter the clone wars again! Maybe I'll try to grab
a cutting or two from my bushy Yellow Aji! I think you re wise not to pinch the
tall ones unless you have space issues or are going for a certain bushiness.
Those nodes will push out branches like gang busters when Spring/Summer
gets here!

 

[DocNrock]

Your grow is awesome, Brent! Your greenhouse turned out to be just the ticket
for those babies. And good job on the Panca clone, it looks really healthy and
vigorous. Makes me want to enter the clone wars again! Maybe I'll try to grab
a cutting or two from my bushy Yellow Aji! I think you re wise not to pinch the
tall ones unless you have space issues or are going for a certain bushiness.
Those nodes will push out branches like gang busters when Spring/Summer
gets here!

Thanks, Paul. Always love it when you stop by. I think you should go for the cutting on your Yellow Aji. If you love the pods, you'll have twice the fun!

Here's a question for anyone who happens to stop by: Are White Devil's Tongue exceedingly difficult to germinate? I've tried seeds from pods I bought from Coheed via Silver_Surfer's farm, nada. I bought the only commercial seeds I could find, Jungle Rain, nothing. Any thoughts?

 

[DocNrock]

Update time! More baby pods!

Jalapeno (freebie from Pepper Joe):

Pasilla Bajio (RFC):

The Yellow Cayenne (SocalChilehead) pod is growing pretty quickly for a "teenage" plant:

My first pests, fungus gnats, seem to be increasing in number. I need to pick up a few more yellow sticky paper tomorrow and treat the soil with Bacillus thuringiensis.

Now for a few select plants.

This Serrano (freebie from Pepper Joe) seems to be smart. Before hitting the celing of the greenhouse, it has curved both branches downward. Probably just a fluke, but pretty neat, nonetheless.

I've read about how difficult pubescens varieties are to grow. This year I am trying two: Red Rocoto (SocalChilehead and Pepperlover.com) and Giant Mexican Rocoto (Pepperlover.com). I have had awful germ rates with both varieties. I planted at least 20 seeds of each. One sprout from the Pepperlover.com Red Rocoto seeds and only one from the seeds SocalChilehead sent me. After the fourth sowing attempt, I am finally getting a couple of hooks from the Giant Mex Rocoto. Both varieties have been incredibly slow growing. Is this normal for pubescens? Below is the largest Red Rocoto, sown 10/14/12. The plants on either side (not-Australian Lantern, L, Goat's Horn, R) were sown on the same date:

Does anyone have any tips on getting the pubescens to grow? PaulG? Fernando?

Speaking of growth rates, there has to be one overachiever in the crowd! Assam (SocalChilehead):

Finally, Primo (Primo) - HP22B (PJ) - 7 Pot Congo Gigantic (Pepperlover.com):

I'm thinking tomorrow I need to up-pot some of these and rearrange the greenhouse to make better use of the space. Until then, hot stuff to all!

 

[Jamison]

Wow man plants look insanely healthy! Wanna trade for some sepia serpent seeds?

 

[DocNrock]

Wow man plants look insanely healthy! Wanna trade for some sepia serpent seeds?

Thanks, Jamison, and thanks for stopping in! PM sent regarding the seeds.

 

[GA Growhead]

Looking good Brent! I going to have to agree on the pot up and rearranging plan. Some plants are getting swallowed up by the others, which is a good problem to have. Everything looks amazing btw. Wish i could help you with the pubescens, but have not yet grown any. You got me wishing i had a greenhouse too. Maybe oneday.

 

[DocNrock]

Looking good Brent! I going to have to agree on the pot up and rearranging plan. Some plants are getting swallowed up by the others, which is a good problem to have. Everything looks amazing btw. Wish i could help you with the pubescens, but have not yet grown any. You got me wishing i had a greenhouse too. Maybe oneday.

Thanks Jason, and thanks for stopping by! I agree on both fronts: a problem, and a good problem. So glad I got the little greenhouse. It really wasn't that pricey, at all. If you are interested, it is from Harbor Freight, One-Stop Gardens is the brand, 6 x 8.

 

[Stefan_W]

+ for insanely healthy plants. It is all looking great, and the plants are supremely health. It looks like your first start in the greenhouse is a winner, even with some inevitable bugs and pests.

 

[DocNrock]

+ for insanely healthy plants. It is all looking great, and the plants are supremely health. It looks like your first start in the greenhouse is a winner, even with some inevitable bugs and pests.

Thanks, Stefan. I gotta say, this greenhouse makes it easy. Of course, using good soil and amendments didn't hurt. All I do is water and the space heater I have on a timer keeps the night-time temps above 50F. Seems like they are getting all they need, so far.

 

[Portuge]

Man those plants are huge Doc... Whatever your doing keep on doing it

 

[DocNrock]

Man those plants are huge Doc... Whatever your doing keep on doing it

Thanks, Portuge. They really seem to be loving the greenhouse. I'm going to look into getting some Walmart bags today to up-pot the larger ones Idea for Walmart bags courtesy of Cayennemist.

 

[stickman]

Keep on rockin' Doc, everything looks insanely healthy. Baby pods at this point are a bonus! I hadn't realized that BT was a remedy for Fungus Gnats. We have a few in the soil of our indoor plants, but by no means an infestation since we let the soil dry out pretty thoroughly between waterings and we have sticky traps set up in the pots as well. It's good to know what to do if they get out of hand though.