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]

 
Cheese isn't the best bait for Rats Doc... try peanut butter. They'll literally slab themselves to get the last little bit on the trigger.

There must be geographic differences in their taste buds.  Last year when we moved back into this house there were some rats living in the garage.  They wouldn't touch peanut butter on the traps.  But they seemed to have a "fatal attraction" to Velveeta. So that's what I'm using now. 

 

[stickman]

There must be geographic differences in their taste buds.  Last year when we moved back into this house there were some rats living in the garage.  They wouldn't touch peanut butter on the traps.  But they seemed to have a "fatal attraction" to Velveeta. So that's what I'm using now. 

How strange... maybe it's demographic... our country rats don't have as sophisticated palates as the ones in SoCal urban areas. Lol! If you set the traps out and find them tugging on your trouser cuffs demanding Grey Poupon and a nice crisp Chardonnay to go with it, you're in trouble.

 

[DocNrock]

How strange... maybe it's demographic... our country rats don't have as sophisticated palates as the ones in SoCal urban areas. Lol! If you set the traps out and find them tugging on your trouser cuffs demanding Grey Poupon and a nice crisp Chardonnay to go with it, you're in trouble.

Hahaha!  Nice!

 

[WalkGood]

Now that's funny, grey poupon & chardonnay ... BTW FL rats love dat peanut butter too

 

[DocNrock]

Last harvest was this past Friday.  We had a couple of days of 110 degree weather.  I think it caused a mass wave of ripening.  I harvested about half of the plants this evening after getting home from work.  Had to stop when it got dark.   
 

 

 

 
I'll harvest the other half of the plants tomorrow.  To be continued.  Hope everyone has plans for a great 4th!

 

[Portuge]

Pretty darn good harvest I say... Have a great 4th Doc....

 

[WalkGood]

Mind-blowing harvest, way to go Doc \o/  and it’s staggering think that’s only half.

 

[DocNrock]

Pretty darn good harvest I say... Have a great 4th Doc....

 
 

Mind-blowing harvest, way to go Doc \o/  and it’s staggering think that’s only half.

Thank you, guys.  Just finished harvesting the other half of the plants.  Most of them are younger, so not as many pods.   
 

 

 

 

 
That's it enough!  I've said this before, but I'll say it again.  I fully expected to lose about 3/4 of my plants given my experience last year.  Moreover, I had no idea the plants would be as productive as they are.  Of course, I didn't want to lose 3/4 of my plants and I did want them to be productive, but this is friggen ridiculous!!! 
 
How does the old saying go?  Be careful what you ask for...you just might get it. 
 
Happy 4th, everyone! 

 

[GA Growhead]

So true doc!

 

[DocNrock]

So true doc!

 
Yup!  Well, some may remember the photos of my chiles smoking alongside the duck a few weeks back, and the dehydrator trays loaded up a week or two back.  Today was powdering day! 
 
I learned my lesson last year when powdering these things.  My face is fine, but my forearms are burning from powder residuals! 
 
 
 
Every bag of powder got one of these.  Hopefully it will keep it from getting clumpy. 
 
 
 
The finished products. 
 
Left, top to bottom:  Chocolate mix, Jalapeno/Fresno mix, Peach mix (Peach Hab, Peach Bhut), Red Chinense Hots, Yellow Supers, PI281317, Mixed Green Chiles.
Right, top to bottom:  A few Jimmys to go on the grill with dinner , Mixed Chiles (some smoked), Yellow mix (Jamaican Yellow Mushroom, Yellow Cayenne, Beni Highland). 
 
 
 
Tomorrow:  Process freezer (and hopefully fresh) chiles and start up the dehydrator again!  I now have 14 racks that I can fill! 

 

[saugapepper]

Doc, absolutely awesome! Your grow is one of the best on this forum. Rivals even PeriPeri. Hear that Lourens??!?! Time to turn things up a notch in South Africa.

 

[DocNrock]

Doc, absolutely awesome! Your grow is one of the best on this forum. Rivals even PeriPeri. Hear that Lourens??!?! Time to turn things up a notch in South Africa.

 
Conor, so very kind of you to say.  I'm not sure that I agree, as there are many awesome grows, and growers, on this board.  But I greatly appreciate the kind comment.  Everything I've learned about growing these things I've learned on this board.  After all, this is my first full season.   

 

[stickman]

Most excellent pod porn and powders Doc! Your choice of armor before doing battle with the grinder was a hoot! EMS personnel have an advantage in that they already have a Scott air pack on hand... Double up on the Nitrile gloves when handling large numbers of superhots... they let less of the oils through to the skin than latex or vinyl, and change the outer gloves when they get too badly discolored.
 
How do you like the Baccatum chiles Doc? They have a different flavor and texture than any other chiles I've tried, but I'm getting to really like them. Did I see some ripe Kapia peppers in there too? Have you tried them yet?

 

[DesertChris]

Wow, Awesome stuff you have going on there Doc!!

 

[MisterNo]

OMG, I've seen pepper powder heaven
 
DOc, you are having one of the best harvests I've seen on THP, great stuff
 
Are those Kapijas on the last pic up there?

 

[WalkGood]

Doctor, my eyes have seen the years
And the slow parade of Powders without crying
Now I want to understand
I have done all that I could
To see the greatness in your Powders
Doctor, my eyes ...
You must help me if you can
Get dem colors in my powders
Tell me what is wrong
Doctor my eyes ...
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long
Doctor, my eyes ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
 

Whoa what beautiful powders, love da colors brethren, great job!!!!
 
 

 

[JoynersHotPeppers]

 
 
The finished products. 
 
Left, top to bottom:  Chocolate mix, Jalapeno/Fresno mix, Peach mix (Peach Hab, Peach Bhut), Red Chinense Hots, Yellow Supers, PI281317, Mixed Green Chiles.
Right, top to bottom:  A few Jimmys to go on the grill with dinner , Mixed Chiles (some smoked), Yellow mix (Jamaican Yellow Mushroom, Yellow Cayenne, Beni Highland). 
 

 
Tomorrow:  Process freezer (and hopefully fresh) chiles and start up the dehydrator again!  I now have 14 racks that I can fill! 

Amazing looking powders Doc, so looking forward to getting some harvests. You pre 4th/4th harvest was stunning!

 

[DocNrock]

Most excellent pod porn and powders Doc! Your choice of armor before doing battle with the grinder was a hoot! EMS personnel have an advantage in that they already have a Scott air pack on hand... Double up on the Nitrile gloves when handling large numbers of superhots... they let less of the oils through to the skin than latex or vinyl, and change the outer gloves when they get too badly discolored.
 
How do you like the Baccatum chiles Doc? They have a different flavor and texture than any other chiles I've tried, but I'm getting to really like them. Did I see some ripe Kapia peppers in there too? Have you tried them yet?

Thank you for the kind words, Rick.  From the neck up, it's pretty much what I look like in the OR, hahaha!  Use what ya got, I say.    I still single-glove it when processing supers, I just change gloves often.  Never liked double-gloving, even in the OR on a patient with a blood-borne pathogen like Hep B or C.  I lose my sensation and am probably more likely to stick myself or someone else.  In the case of chiles, it makes it more difficult for me to deseed but leave as much placenta as possible.  YMMV. 
 
The Baccatums are awesome!  This year was my first time trying them.  The Blonde tastes like hot jicama!  Love the Aji Pineapples.  Perfect heat for a snacking pepper with great flavor.  The Malawi Peppadews are great, also.  Still have yet to try the Amarillos and the Omnicolors.  Of course, can't wait for the BCs to ripen!  Actually, I did try those last year.  Great flavor.  Would make a fantastic stuffing pepper.  Those indeed were three ripe KKs!  The picture doesn't do their size justice.  They're about 6" x 2".  Haven't tried them yet.  Perhaps today with lunch. 
 
Thanks for stopping in!
 

Wow, Awesome stuff you have going on there Doc!!

Thanks, Chris!
 

OMG, I've seen pepper powder heaven
 
DOc, you are having one of the best harvests I've seen on THP, great stuff
 
Are those Kapijas on the last pic up there?

Thank you, MisterNo!  I started my seeds in October, so I'm a few months ahead of most on the board.  They'll be catching up and passing me any day now. 
 
There are indeed three Kapijas in the last shot.  Looking forward to trying one today with lunch!
 

Doctor, my eyes have seen the years
And the slow parade of Powders without crying
Now I want to understand
I have done all that I could
To see the greatness in your Powders
Doctor, my eyes ...
You must help me if you can
Get dem colors in my powders
Tell me what is wrong
Doctor my eyes ...
Was I unwise to leave them open for so long
Doctor, my eyes ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪
 
Whoa what beautiful powders, love da colors brethren, great job!!!!
 
 

Hahaha!  Ramon, you crack me up!  Thanks.  I was pleased with how the colors turned out.  Even the peach seemed to hold its coloring.  Just wash, cut, deseed, dry, grind.
 
I wish there was a ".snf" file I could share with you all to communicate the aromas! 
 

Amazing looking powders Doc, so looking forward to getting some harvests. You pre 4th/4th harvest was stunning!

Thank you Chris!  I'll take that as a major complement coming from the master of powders! 
 
 
I didn't want to post this directly in my glog, but there is a NSFW July 4th classic fail if anyone hasn't seen the failed launch of a butt bottle rocket.  Darwinism at it's finest. http://thehotpepper.com/topic/40277-nsfw-a-4th-of-july-classic-in-case-you-havent-seen-it/

 

[PaulG]

Amazing harvest, Brent!  It's way cool when you have to use
three photos to show just half the harvest!  Great variety of heat.  
I guess your greenhouse just paid for itself!
 
Powders look awesome.  I need to powder up my dried pods to
make room for new ones this season!

 

[DocNrock]

Amazing harvest, Brent!  It's way cool when you have to use
three photos to show just half the harvest!  Great variety of heat.  
I guess your greenhouse just paid for itself!
 
Powders look awesome.  I need to powder up my dried pods to
make room for new ones this season!

 
 
Thank you, my friend!  Today I will be chopping and loading the dehydrator again.  Just emptied the freezer of frozen pods from earlier this year.  Those plus what I just harvested...holy crap!  I'm going to be processing all day and possibly tomorrow, as well! 
 
Keep it green, bro!