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Guru's Garden - Traveling the World in Search of Peppers

Just starting this glog now so it's one less thing to do in a few months when I'm knee deep in compost and getting things in the ground.
 
Not much to report at the moment. Strains yet to be determined, but I'll probably end up growing too many like always...lol
 
 
Only thing that's going on right now is a clean back patio and the chickens doing their part turning over my compost pile on the daily. Intersted in seeing how the soil microbes appreciate the added chicken poop!
 
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Hope everyone has had a decent winter so far and here's to happy germination!
 
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EDIT UPDATE: This glog has turned into an ongoing overwintering, greenhouse and soil building how-to!
 
My tomatoes went in the dirt last weekend, and based upon my schedule here, had I grown rye this season, I would have turned my rye in 4-6 weeks ago. For two reasons: I want it to break down and be available to supply the new plants with all the nutes, and it's really hard to kill. Usually turn under, a week later turn under again, as it's coming back, then the third try to kill the remnants. Or it becomes a weed ;)
 
Devv said:
My tomatoes went in the dirt last weekend, and based upon my schedule here, had I grown rye this season, I would have turned my rye in 4-6 weeks ago. For two reasons: I want it to break down and be available to supply the new plants with all the nutes, and it's really hard to kill. Usually turn under, a week later turn under again, as it's coming back, then the third try to kill the remnants. Or it becomes a weed ;)
 
 
Think I turned it in enough?! haha
 
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I figured while I was at it to go ahead and break some new ground. 
 
 
The largest plot is for corn, sunflower, wildflower etc We are getting into bee keeping and want to grow a large area for them to forage for pollen. 
 
 
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The smaller plot near the truck will be for tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, okra, melons, etc 
 
 
 
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Seedlings are doing very well. Almost time for them to move outdoors and harden off a bit! 
 
 
 
 
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Here's the first to flower indoors. The "Banana" looking pepper I found in Sri Lanka. 
 
 
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Happy Spring Everyone!
 
Beautiful shots.  I had no idea what an octabox was.  I had in mind an aquatic storage unit with 8 arms. What it really is made more sense, but my mental image was awesome.  
 
Pulpiteer said:
Beautiful shots.  I had no idea what an octabox was.  I had in mind an aquatic storage unit with 8 arms. What it really is made more sense, but my mental image was awesome.  
 
 
Haha, that's awesome. Yeah, just a special reflector that softens light. Been getting into flash stuff recently. Started a website with a small portfolio with some of my work. http://www.richblood.photo
 
Up until now, I've just used available ambient light to take photos. Learning light and controlling it is a whole new ballgame. Fun stuff!
 
 
 
 
Well, the two large plots have been planted and seeded. I already have sunflowers germinating in the three sisters field (rare corns, beans, sunflowers/squash) Planted tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and squash in the other plot. 
 
Overwinters are ready to go into the pepper plot tomorrow!
 
 
2017 Seedlings saw the outdoors for the first time today. Leaned a shade rack over them against the south side of the house and gave them a drink. They loved the extra light! Snapped these just after dark:
 
 
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Here is the variety from Sri Lanka that looked like a banana:
 
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Going to shop around for that shade cloth for the pepper plot and get it hung. These things want to be in the ground!
 
 
 
Grow on!
 
Easter Update:
 
 
Last year around this time, things looked like this:
 
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Today, plants have been in the ground for 2 weeks. 
 
 
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The pepper plot is on a slight, south facing slope. So the shade cloth's main 24x20ft 30% shadow, wipes over the garden from west to east each and every day. Only during the early morning and late evening hours, letting direct sunlight into the sides, albeit very low angle sun light. Haven't noticed a bit of lag so I think the seedlings are liking the soil. I imagine the roots are going nuts under the surface. I'm just now beginning to see bright green growth coming from every node, so its just about time for them to explode. 
 
 
One of the Sri Lankan varieties I brought back already podding up!
 
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Coyote Zan White
 
 
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Sri Lankan "Cobra" - the pod I obtained from a hostel kitchen, looked shockingly similar to Hoyt Saxton's Red Pumpkin Habanero. Fingers crossed its some type of ancestor, hopefully more direct than not. It is already displaying the signature leaf structure! HUGE heart shaped and lobe-y. 
 
 
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Fed the container plants some of the stankiest, compost sludge out of the dank tank this evening. Here is a Rooster Spur "SlothNail" in a 15gallon smarty. Already showing lots of growth at every node and basal branching to boot. 
 
 
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Lastly a quick shot of a Mini Rocoto flower. 
 
 
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Happy Easter! 
 
 
 
 
Trippa said:
Awesome Rich! Do you still make the fish hydrolysate ? And only feed them once as in previous years?
 Yes! Still make it! I actually got word from the manager at a local fish market, he's going to fill up my brute yard can with fish scraps!
 
Portuge said:
Sweet looking plant out Rich, keep on feeding the soil...
You know it! This year I raked all of the remaining wood chips off the surface and tilled all the organic matter, and grown cover crop down into the Ga red clay bed. The barrel stave theory really spoke volumes to me when I read the last installment of "Teaming with Nutrients" the sequel to Teaming with Microbes. Nutrient content is only as good to your plants as the weakest link (nutrient) and all others and the way they are absorbed by the plant are governed by that weak link. So, without doing a proper soil test, I guessed what my weak links were and went for it. I may do a soil test soon just to see but not before I monitor what the plants do this season!
 
Holy cow!!! That's a super sized garden area...pretty envious of that!!! Can't wait to watch the progress. Plants are looking very healthy and a nice deep green.
 
Update time  :party:
 
 
Wide Shot of the 30% shaded pepper plot. 
 
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Tighter shot
 
 
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CGN 21566
 
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Aribibi Gusano in the ground
 
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Patio Aribibi Gusano 
 
 
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7 Pot Bubble Gum Flowers 
 
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Some Fennel for the absinthe  :shh:
 
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Coyote Zan White ( possible cross) will see...
 
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Sri Lanka "Chili Red"
 
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bump for more
 
Update continued:
 
 
Fatalii
 
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Sri Lanka "Cobra"
 
 
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Sri Lanka "Banana"
 
 
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Bug
 
 
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Rooster Spur in ground
 
 
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Rooster Spur patio
 
 
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Mini Rocoto
 
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Iquitos, Peru - "Giant Rocoto"
 
 
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Aji Lemon Drop - patio plant for 2017 Growdown! 
 
 
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Hoping this one keeps pumpin the pods! Gonna keep it drenched in fish hydrolysate and compost slurry. 
 
Plants look fantastic Rich. I like the photos added to the portfolio. I'm still trying to squeeze time for the Nikon. I've got a whole greenhouse to practice on. Oh, and the humming birds are back. They are my favorite bird.

Anyways, I'm sure those plants will be rewarding you soon, for the kindness you've given them.


Chuck
 
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