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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:

cupsandseeds.jpg


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!:

soaking.jpg


Rapid Rooters:

rapidrooters.jpg


Soil:

soilcells.jpg


Let the waiting game begin!:

germination.jpg


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!
 
Brent that's a huge list. I can't wait to see some of these varieties outside in action........
Those mini Brains (if you had enought) would be dynomite pickled in quart jars.
I also grow the Goronong......It's pine/apple tasting with average heat. I actually had a plant last season that had all red pods on it...
 
Pots ≤ growbags. Hows my math?
Yes. ;)
Brent that's a huge list. I can't wait to see some of these varieties outside in action........
Those mini Brains (if you had enought) would be dynomite pickled in quart jars.
I also grow the Goronong......It's pine/apple tasting with average heat. I actually had a plant last season that had all red pods on it...
Thanks for the input on the Goronong. I haven't gotten much flavor out of mine, but I think that had to do with soaked soil in the pots. Below I am going to post some outdoor action! ;)
Now that is an awesome list there buddy keep a look out as list always seem to extend when possible ;) plants look great with those early pods.
Thanks Fernando! Finally have a Red Rocoto coming up from your seed!

Time for a bit of an update. First off, Shane asked me about the Wally bags as compared to a #5 nursery container. It turns out Wally World has two sizes of bags. I have both and will give you the comparison.

number5_zps12a88f8d.jpg


So here is the large Wally bag (50 cents) filled with what it took to fill the #5 pot:

bigwallybag_zpsd6c24119.jpg


Then I filled it to the brim, then re-filled the #5 container:

bigwallyand5_zpse699d4d7.jpg


I would guess the large Wally bags are about #7 or greater!

The smaller Wally bags are about #5 in size.

smallwally_zps49bf26e4.jpg


According to my grow zone, my last frost is between Feb 1 and 10. I'm a bit concerned about the 9th, as it is predicted to get down to 35 F. But if it is not a frost, I should be good. Anyway, I still have some plants in the g-house that need to be up-potted, but I did get the other guys outdoors. If I can get a bump...I'll post 'em in their current homes. :)
 
Planting out in February just makes my stomach turn lol. Good luck to you.

What's one more plant when it comes to peppers. Yes a Jimmy Nardello. Slice em, saute them lightly, then add them to quesadillas and OMG!!! If you don't grow any, I might be forced to send you some pods!!!
 
Planting out in February just makes my stomach turn lol. Good luck to you.

What's one more plant when it comes to peppers. Yes a Jimmy Nardello. Slice em, saute them lightly, then add them to quesadillas and OMG!!! If you don't grow any, I might be forced to send you some pods!!!

I read up on them, Bodeen. You are right...one more plant...maybe...fighting the temptation....Hmmm.

Thank you for the bump!

Here are my guys in their current home:

The "old guard." Last years saved plants. The ones that were in 2 gallon pots have been up-potted into Wally bags.

grow1_zps5d93f02f.jpg


I put the Anaheim in a true grow pouch, and left the Chenzo in a 2 gallon pot:

grow4_zps0b736ef5.jpg


The new plants are now outside. They are in two gallon grow bags for now (a few are in one gallon bags):

grow2_zpsa2592dd5.jpg


grow3_zps6526eb6a.jpg


I didn't get to these guys today:

stillneedwork_zps345288ad.jpg


So back in their cage until next weekend, as well as the ones inside under a light fixture (not shown):

nextweekend_zps7448273f.jpg



Tallest plant award: Aji Yellow! The retaining wall is about three feet. Honorable mention is Assam.

tallest_zpsa4aef1d3.jpg


Enjoy the Super Bowl! Time to order a pizza so it will be here in a few hours, LOL!
 
Very nice set of pics, Brent! I was wondering how those grow bags are when it get really windy. We have insane wind coming through here from time to time, and just looking at the pictures here makes me think those bags would just tip over onto their side.
 
Very nice set of pics, Brent! I was wondering how those grow bags are when it get really windy. We have insane wind coming through here from time to time, and just looking at the pictures here makes me think those bags would just tip over onto their side.

Yeah, that is a consideration. We had some winds today and they stood up like champs. It's always a possibility, though. I don't think this would happen to the Wally bags, though.

On a different note, pizza is on it's way from Dominos. I remembered a few ripe (or mostly ripe) pods while working outside today. Extra pizza toppings:

Anaheim - Brain - Jamaican Yellow Mushroom - Thai:

freshpods_zpsaf5755f8.jpg
 
That is one freaking huge list!!!! So I guess you don't have anything else to do because you're going to need all your time for the plants ;) Are you growing only one of each variety? or will some be getting a few bags?
 
Great list Brent...your last frost is over a month and a half before mine and I am south of you! Dang it! Good luck with plant out. Thanks for the comparison! Do you think those white disposable grow bags would last a season?
 
As u yanky boys say wallybagsi laugh , but m8 not sure if u gave me the idea but they rock cheap , stay cool drain well , my best plants are in them, sure it was u , cheers , good grow to m8
 
Wicked update Brent as always ^_^ in regards to Stefan’s question and your reply, regarding Mama wind and the bags.” I don’t see why a long steak into the ground where one could not only tie the bag but also add support to the plant as well. Have you tried that in the past or is this your first bag grow? Thanks for not posting the pizza with the extra pepper toppings as I just ate breakfast, lol … those foody shots here me dan hambre :D
 
That is one freaking huge list!!!! So I guess you don't have anything else to do because you're going to need all your time for the plants ;) Are you growing only one of each variety? or will some be getting a few bags?
You are right on, MM. Once things get into their final bags I'm going to look into fashioning an automatic watering system. Stickman suggested it and I believe you did it with your grow. I'm only growing one of every variety, except the Sepia Serpent, of which I have 5.
Great list Brent...your last frost is over a month and a half before mine and I am south of you! Dang it! Good luck with plant out. Thanks for the comparison! Do you think those white disposable grow bags would last a season?
Thanks Shane. Are you sure about the frost dates? I looked up Poway and our dates seem to be very close. Hmm. Anyway, those white grow bags are just temporary until the plants are ready for a 5 to 7 gallon home. They might last a season. I did buy ten 5-gallon ones to try for a season. We'll see if they hold up. I like that the white will probably help keep the roots cooler come summertime.
As u yanky boys say wallybagsi laugh , but m8 not sure if u gave me the idea but they rock cheap , stay cool drain well , my best plants are in them, sure it was u , cheers , good grow to m8
Thanks, but I learned of the Wally bags from Cayennemist. He had great results with them.
Wicked update Brent as always ^_^ in regards to Stefan’s question and your reply, regarding Mama wind and the bags.” I don’t see why a long steak into the ground where one could not only tie the bag but also add support to the plant as well. Have you tried that in the past or is this your first bag grow? Thanks for not posting the pizza with the extra pepper toppings as I just ate breakfast, lol … those foody shots here me dan hambre :D
That is a great idea, Ramon! This is the first time I have tried growing in bags. Heck, this is my first "real" season. I started 2012 in July for the first time and learned a lot...as evidenced by how few plants survived! I lost over 2/3 of my plants at varying time points because of newbie mistakes. Trying to do it right this time around. ;)
 
Temps and CHEAP are why I asked. Soil temp in my nursery containers reached over 120 last year in August so I sheathed them all in white garbage bags and duct tape...they were stylin!
 
Man Doc, I didn't read all 21 pages, but skimmed through several and everything is looking fantastic. Can't wait to see a huge forest of adult plants. Good luck to ya friend
 
As far as the temps go...we average a little below the official Poway temps. If you look at the record lows for Poway there are below freezing temps steady all the way out to the end of March. The latest recorded freeze was 31 degrees on April 10th I believe. Last year I planted out too early, and although I kept them alive, if I would have held them inside on the nice warm grow shelf they would've been better off. I am not home every night, so if a last minute frost advisory comes up they're gonners. I will plant out late March regardless of what the groundhog indicated! Good luck to you, I would rig up some sort of frost emergency system to be safe if I were you. I used a thermocube outlet and Christmas lights last year...very ghetto-fabulous but they saved my bacon from several late frosts!
 
Temps and CHEAP are why I asked. Soil temp in my nursery containers reached over 120 last year in August so I sheathed them all in white garbage bags and duct tape...they were stylin!
Definitely cheap! I'll bet those pots looked awesome!
Man Doc, I didn't read all 21 pages, but skimmed through several and everything is looking fantastic. Can't wait to see a huge forest of adult plants. Good luck to ya friend
Thanks Vincent, and thanks for stopping in. Some of these are from pods I bought off you last year!
As far as the temps go...we average a little below the official Poway temps. If you look at the record lows for Poway there are below freezing temps steady all the way out to the end of March. The latest recorded freeze was 31 degrees on April 10th I believe. Last year I planted out too early, and although I kept them alive, if I would have held them inside on the nice warm grow shelf they would've been better off. I am not home every night, so if a last minute frost advisory comes up they're gonners. I will plant out late March regardless of what the groundhog indicated! Good luck to you, I would rig up some sort of frost emergency system to be safe if I were you. I used a thermocube outlet and Christmas lights last year...very ghetto-fabulous but they saved my bacon from several late frosts!
Thanks for the tips, Shane! That is one reason I left them in the one to two gallon bags for now. If a frost does get forecast, I can dodge them back into the g-house quickly enough.
 
Plants are looking so nice out there. The mention of chenzo has me longing for that first black pod to hit the omelet as I can't hold out any longer. That was my first ripe pepper last year and it replaced the super chili as my omelet pepper early in the year.

Keep the plant porn coming. Amazing grow.
 
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