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!

 

[DocNrock]

Well, so much for cruise control. My largest Sepia Serpent looks like it is infested with some sort of mite.

I have some sulfur spray, so I sprayed it down and put it outside. It will have to fend for itself with the rest of the established plants. I looked through every plant in the greenhouse and so far don't see evidence of more. I will be away for the next three days, so I'll see what they look like when I get back.

Speaking of the established plants, they're done "overwintering" for the week, now that our night time lows will be back to normal in the 40's. I put them back in the back yard and was greeted with some ripe pods when I took them out of the back of the truck. I think this is my largest harvest yet, lol!

Goronong - Chinese 5 color - Thai Dragon - Chenzo - Caribbean Red.

EDIT: I'm going to order some of these next week for the greenhouse: http://www.arbico-organics.com/product/mite-predator-neoseiulus-californicus/pest-solver-guide-mites

Gassy had good luck with these, I believe.

 

[Stefan_W]

Sorry to hear about the infestation on the sepia serpent, that really sucks.

On the other hand, it is great to see that you have some fresh ripe pods! What are you planning to do with them?

 

[WalkGood]

Nice harvest Brent! Love the pics and update, sad to hear of the mites but maybe she'll surprise you when you get back

 

[Trippa]

Yeah those are what gassy used although are you sure that is mite damage?? Or can you actually see the mites?? Looks to me more like a fungal type issue but that is just from that single picture. Looking good regardless doc!

 

[gasificada]

^ What Trips said.

If you do have mites, Californicus should help keep 'em in check (they did a ripper of a job in keeping broad mite population right down for me! ), but yeah, hard to tell from the one pic but deffo looks more like a fungal issue.

You are in California, right? Being Californicus are naturally occuring there, you should see if you can find 'em doing their naturally occuring thang somewhere and collect your own! I dunno... give me the ease of having to pay but getting them delivered all in a ready-to-go tube and right to my doorstep any day.....

Being so far ahead this season, you are gonna absolutely kill it when spring arrives, Doc!

 

[DocNrock]

Sorry to hear about the infestation on the sepia serpent, that really sucks. On the other hand, it is great to see that you have some fresh ripe pods! What are you planning to do with them?

Nice harvest Brent! Love the pics and update, sad to hear of the mites but maybe she'll surprise you when you get back

Yeah those are what gassy used although are you sure that is mite damage?? Or can you actually see the mites?? Looks to me more like a fungal type issue but that is just from that single picture. Looking good regardless doc!

^ What Trips said. If you do have mites, Californicus should help keep 'em in check (they did a ripper of a job in keeping broad mite population right down for me! ), but yeah, hard to tell from the one pic but deffo looks more like a fungal issue. You are in California, right? Being Californicus are naturally occuring there, you should see if you can find 'em doing their naturally occuring thang somewhere and collect your own! I dunno... give me the ease of having to pay but getting them delivered all in a ready-to-go tube and right to my doorstep any day..... Being so far ahead this season, you are gonna absolutely kill it when spring arrives, Doc!

Thanks guys. OK, the spots are on the underside of every leaf. The spots you see are "non-holes." I thought that is what mite damage looked like. I could be wrong. In person, it doesn't look fungal, at all.

 

[megamoo]

Nice harvest. Bad news with the infection. I'm battling mites right now and I've read they prefer the newer growth. You should check the youngest shoots and see if they are all withered and twisty. When I saw the picture my first thought was fungal or something like that but I don't have much experience with either.

 

[stickman]

Sorry to see the damage on your Sepia Serpents Doc. It looks more bacterial than fungal I think. You might want to separate it from the other plants until you get it under control, so you don't spread the infection by splashing when you water. The other thought is to carefully water from the bottom so you keep the leaves dry.

The good news is that you're getting a bit of a harvest... enough to make a few really hot curries at any rate. I made a chicken curry in our slow cooker yesterday and threw in a Bih Jalokai pepper in addition to everything else. (That should keep the tubes clear...) I made an apple/raisin/ginger chutney, Indian fried potatoes and Kashmiri collard greens to go with it.

Got your envelope with the seeds yesterday and was just bowled over! You're very generous my friend! That'll keep me in superhots for a few years at least, and give me quite a few seeds to trade. Thank you!

 

[DocNrock]

Nice harvest. Bad news with the infection. I'm battling mites right now and I've read they prefer the newer growth. You should check the youngest shoots and see if they are all withered and twisty. When I saw the picture my first thought was fungal or something like that but I don't have much experience with either.

When I up-potted it a couple of weeks ago, I noted the top inch with all the new growth was just dead, so I cut it off down to healthy stem. At that time the other leaves looked fine. Oh well, still not sure what it is. I really want this variety to grow, and it is an F4 cross, so I started six plants of it. If this one doesn't survive, I still have five more growing. This was just the largest one.

Sorry to see the damage on your Sepia Serpents Doc. It looks more bacterial than fungal I think. You might want to separate it from the other plants until you get it under control, so you don't spread the infection by splashing when you water. The other thought is to carefully water from the bottom so you keep the leaves dry.

The good news is that you're getting a bit of a harvest... enough to make a few really hot curries at any rate. I made a chicken curry in our slow cooker yesterday and threw in a Bih Jalokai pepper in addition to everything else. (That should keep the tubes clear...) I made an apple/raisin/ginger chutney, Indian fried potatoes and Kashmiri collard greens to go with it.

Got your envelope with the seeds yesterday and was just bowled over! You're very generous my friend! That'll keep me in superhots for a few years at least, and give me quite a few seeds to trade. Thank you!

Glad you got the seeds and you are very welcome. The SS is indeed out of the greenhouse and outdoors. When I get back I'll see what kind of shape it is in. Your Indian food sounds most excellent.

 

[Jamison]

I agree. I don't think that is mites or bugs. Def looks fungal to me. Whats the humidity like in the GH?

 

[DocNrock]

I agree. I don't think that is mites or bugs. Def looks fungal to me. Whats the humidity like in the GH?

Well, the humidity is about 80 percent usually, but I do have two fans running full time. Anyway, if it is fungal, the sulfur spray I used is supposed to be antifungal. If it looks no better when I get back home, then I'll try some H2O2 spraydown.

 

[WalkGood]

Well, the humidity is about 80 percent usually, but I do have two fans running full time. Anyway, if it is fungal, the sulfur spray I used is supposed to be antifungal. If it looks no better when I get back home, then I'll try some H2O2 spraydown.

Brent I’ve had no luck spraying with the H2O2 on a fungal issue I have with my Datil’s, so out of curiosity what sulfur spray do you use? Can I mix my own and are there any negative effects to one that grows all naturally/organic?

 

[Stefan_W]

I can't say for sure whether it is fungal or some type of nasty critter, but good luck either way!

 

[DocNrock]

Brent I’ve had no luck spraying with the H2O2 on a fungal issue I have with my Datil’s, so out of curiosity what sulfur spray do you use? Can I mix my own and are there any negative effects to one that grows all naturally/organic?

The brand is Safer brand. I really have no idea about mixing it as this is the first time I have tried it. The H2O2 is going to be tried in the event it's bacterial.

I can't say for sure whether it is fungal or some type of nasty critter, but good luck either way!

Thanks. I'll find out if it is any better when I get back tomorrow.

 

[WalkGood]

The brand is Safer brand. I really have no idea about mixing it as this is the first time I have tried it. The H2O2 is going to be tried in the event it's bacterial. ....

Thanks Doc, even if you don't post about it here, please pm me your observations as I'm still treating some Datil's that might soon see davey's locker if I can't cure dem.

 

[DocNrock]

Thanks Doc, even if you don't post about it here, please pm me your observations as I'm still treating some Datil's that might soon see davey's locker if I can't cure dem.

No prob. I'll post it here, good or bad.

 

[GA Growhead]

Hope you can get this worked out and save that one.
Best of luck!

 

[stc3248]

Nice little harvest Doc! Can't complain when you're picking pods when everyone else is shoveling snow! Hope you figure out your pest issue and get that little one perdy again.

 

[DocNrock]

Hope you can get this worked out and save that one.
Best of luck!

Nice little harvest Doc! Can't complain when you're picking pods when everyone else is shoveling snow! Hope you figure out your pest issue and get that little one perdy again.

Thanks, guys. After getting back home, I can say the Sepia Serpent looks...unchanged. Which I guess is not bad since it doesn't look any worse. I had to take another plant out of the greenhouse. Long Chocolate Hab had a nasty case of the aphid. There were a couple on surrounding plants which were easily squished, but there were too many on the LCH to squish without damaging the top. Now it is outside, as well, and got sprayed down with Safer KFA/neem/pyrethrin.

 

[JoynersHotPeppers]

Aphids are ruthless, good luck!