maxcaps 2014 grow: avoiding the freeze!

Hello All,
 
New here, but feeling right at home. I figured I'd go ahead and get my glog started, though I may wait a few weeks yet before starting anything.
 
I'm pretty new, not totally new. I had a small grow last year, mostly in containers, bringing up plants that I hoped would make cool overwinter bonsai's (bonchi's). I ordered a handful of different varieties from http://fataliiseeds.net, all  95% of which sprouted nicely, though something must have gone wrong because many never grew true leaves. I think my house was too cold... I've moved now and now have an excellent heating system. I also kept the seeds by a window that I think got too drafty. 
 
I did have a handful of chinenses survive, including a wonderful Red Habanero from fataliiseeds, and some chiero roxa plants that produced a handful of tasty purple pods. I purchased some local Scotch Bonnett starts from a small scale nursery, and grew jalapeños and serrano starts from a local nursery. It's safe to say I am now addicted, as all these fire worked its way into my family's weekly diet. I have a 12'X8' plot begging for plants, and I may do some extra in containers...
 
Enough background. Here's the plan. As jalapeños (salsa, roasted, and canned) are not a staple, I want to grow a handful of varieties. The chinenses have amazing flavors, so I'm going to branch out with two or three new varieties (though sadly I did not save any scotch bonnet seeds from the last season... what is wrong with me?). Last year I tried some super hot varieties... none lived. I am going to try again! I actually ordered most of these seeds before stumbling upon this wonderful community. In any event, here is the lineup:
 
Chinenses:
 
Red Habanero (seeds kept and OW bonchi (thanks fatalii)
Chiero Roxa (seeds kept, may use OW bonchi, haven't decided)
Scotch Bonnett (forgot to keep seeds, but I can replant OW bonchi)
White Habanero (seeds from Pepper Joe, should arrive soon...)
Chocolate Habanero (seeds from Pepper Joe, should also arrive soon)
Fatali (from pepperlover.com)
Big Sun Habernero (from pepperlover)
 
Superhot Chinenses:
 
Carolina Reaper (seeds from PuckerButt)
Naga Morich (seeds from PuckerButt)
Bhut Jolokia (seeds from PuckerButt)
Dorset Naga (seeds from PuckerButt)
7 pod (from pepperlover.com)
 
Other Superhot:
 
Tiepin (seeds from PuckerButt)
 
Annuums:
 
Poblanos (from Pepper Joe... growing to Acho's to use as powder base)
Giant Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Early Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Black Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Purple Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Fresno Pepper (from Pepper Joe)
 
Wish I had found you guys sooner, I'd have added some douglah's to the list. I am also on the fence about adding a couple more chinense varieties. 
 
Also growing some companions. Planning on putting in a couple tomato plants, garlic, cilantro, and carrots (had a lot of luck with tasty fat purple carrots... atomic purple I think they were called)
 
Will post some picks of my OW bonchi's tomorrow, and start going into techniques. On the fence about coffee-filter germination versus sowing in a tray.

 

[Pinoy83]

raised beds, babies, looking good day by day, soon you will have loads of pods and monster babies

 

[Devv]

40's, high 40's or low? I don't like low, but sometimes it happens. I believe we hit around 46-48° twice since I planted the bulk of the plants, I don't feel it hurt them, but they just sit there. Be prepared for your plants being not so pretty once you drop them in the dirt. I know mine looked worse from the wind, I have hit them twice so far with mild ferts and they are finally starting to grow again, yay!
 
Dang gnats, I took Jeff H's advise and bought some mosquito dunk and float a piece in the water jug, it sure does work.
 
Lack of nitrogen will make the overall color of the plant lighter, at least that's been my experience.
 
Enjoy the weekend!

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Still new to this, but I don't think 40's will damage them too much. I've had a few of the plants I started last summer out in the elements since the last of the 30's temps passed and have had no ill effects. Even have some of the plants setting pods even with the odd nights going into the 40's. Even the plants I started more recently that were doing well enough that I thought they'd do ok outside are growing well even with the odd 40's nights. Only problem I noticed was even with the vents open in the greenhouse they weren't hardened off enough to the wind we're getting so a few are bending due to that.

 
Thanks MH! Yeah they keep changing the forecast. Bounces between 42 and 46 for a couple days in the week. You got much higher daytime temps right now though. Can't wait to get these guys in the ground!
 

raised beds, babies, looking good day by day, soon you will have loads of pods and monster babies

 
Thanks Jericson! Need to roast up some pork with another of your powders!
 

40's, high 40's or low? I don't like low, but sometimes it happens. I believe we hit around 46-48° twice since I planted the bulk of the plants, I don't feel it hurt them, but they just sit there. Be prepared for your plants being not so pretty once you drop them in the dirt. I know mine looked worse from the wind, I have hit them twice so far with mild ferts and they are finally starting to grow again, yay!
 
Dang gnats, I took Jeff H's advise and bought some mosquito dunk and float a piece in the water jug, it sure does work.
 
Lack of nitrogen will make the overall color of the plant lighter, at least that's been my experience.
 
Enjoy the weekend!

 
Lowest listed is 42°, but they keep bouncing between 42° and 46°, then it's in the 50's. I *think* I may be safe as the box stores just put all their peppers out... and they're sitting outside with no protection. Not that that's proof of anything, but they sure aren't afraid of wrecking their stock.
 
At the same time, my beds sit on asphalt, so I think the soil temp will actually be higher than the air temp, but no way to confirm before next week.
 
Tangentially, sure is nice when the starts on your grow shelf look healthier than the fresh ones in the box stores!
 
Would love to hear more about what temps your peppers have braved... I really don't want to ice these guys.

 

[Jeff H]

 
Thanks MH! Yeah they keep changing the forecast. Bounces between 42 and 46 for a couple days in the week. You got much higher daytime temps right now though. Can't wait to get these guys in the ground!
 
 
Thanks Jericson! Need to roast up some pork with another of your powders!
 
 
Lowest listed is 42°, but they keep bouncing between 42° and 46°, then it's in the 50's. I *think* I may be safe as the box stores just put all their peppers out... and they're sitting outside with no protection. Not that that's proof of anything, but they sure aren't afraid of wrecking their stock.
 

 
How far away is the garden from your appt? f it is close enough then when/If frost is predicted, just bring a bed sheet out and cover the plants, or spray them down with a little water predawn if the do get frosted.
 
Even in the low 40s, you are past the risk of killing the plant with freezing temps.

 

[Devv]

I agree with Jeff, you can also cover them with 5 gallon buckets if a frost is going to happen. I watched our dew point very closely this spring, they were always low because of low humidity.
 
While in pots I let the plants stay out many nights when it got down to 40°, here it was a short cold, by 10AM we were usually in the 50's. I was more cautious of the temps when I put them in the dirt for a few reason. The large number of plants, once in dirt it's final, somehow being in the pot versus dirt @ 40° is different. Maybe because the pots get heated by the sun.
 
My average last frost is March 15th, and that's when I planted the bulk of the plants based on the 10 day forecast, which changed of course after planting Most years I plant tomatoes on March 1st. I've never lost one yet due to cold. They actually kick in and start to grow before the peppers, that's why I give them 2 more weeks lead time.
 
I chuckled when I read about the plants at the store, here at one place they left them out and we had a freeze can you say doh?

 

[GA Growhead]

Lovely how the forecast changes.
Tax day is still looking good though.

 

[maximumcapsicum]

 
How far away is the garden from your appt? f it is close enough then when/If frost is predicted, just bring a bed sheet out and cover the plants, or spray them down with a little water predawn if the do get frosted.
 
Even in the low 40s, you are past the risk of killing the plant with freezing temps.

 
Thanks Jeff! I think I will do this as best I can. I can get down there with a bed sheet if the temps drop too low. I don't think we're at risk for an actual freeze.
 

I agree with Jeff, you can also cover them with 5 gallon buckets if a frost is going to happen. I watched our dew point very closely this spring, they were always low because of low humidity.
 
While in pots I let the plants stay out many nights when it got down to 40°, here it was a short cold, by 10AM we were usually in the 50's. I was more cautious of the temps when I put them in the dirt for a few reason. The large number of plants, once in dirt it's final, somehow being in the pot versus dirt @ 40° is different. Maybe because the pots get heated by the sun.
 
My average last frost is March 15th, and that's when I planted the bulk of the plants based on the 10 day forecast, which changed of course after planting Most years I plant tomatoes on March 1st. I've never lost one yet due to cold. They actually kick in and start to grow before the peppers, that's why I give them 2 more weeks lead time.
 
I chuckled when I read about the plants at the store, here at one place they left them out and we had a freeze can you say doh?

 
Looks like I can definitely put out the maters then. I am getting impatient because I should have potted up a bunch of these plants in early March, but I planted too many! Almost out of the tunnel. I think the 40's just slow the plants down, won't kill 'em. But I mean they're STOPPED in doors right now, so a slowdown may actually be preferable.
 
10 day actually went up a couple clicks today. Tomorrow is still 40°, so I'll do some crude hardening off, but Monday through Wednesday will probably be plant out.
 

Lovely how the forecast changes.
Tax day is still looking good though.

 
Frustrating! I started a bunch of these guys too early I think. But not all of em. Annuum timing looks about right actually. Hoping to start plantout on Monday, but afraid of those 4's. I am doubting putting them out will be any more damaging than keeping them in at this point though. I don't think we're going to have any more freezes.

 

[Jamison]

The temps been crazy unpredictable lately! Forecasts are always changing unfortunately. I'm in the same boat at you right now, need to pot up or plant out. Glad that package arrived. I completely forgot about it, then the seed train came and it totally reminded me that I was gonna do that. Hope you get to plant out next week!

 

[annie57]

Dang Adam, you got grown (I nearly exaggerate) babies! Looking good! Be careful with the weather, hon. I got "happy" (fed up waiting) one year, went early, covered with buckets, pots, cloth, but didn't count on freeze-thaw cycle (we had some rain prior to). Also, peppers do okay if a tad rootbound. PIA is watering them, fer shure, however.
 
Love Greg's suggestion about the planting hole. I did something similar but then realized I could go with kelp, bone, blood, more mycorr for giggles, Azomite, perlite, Indonesian bat guano (high phosphorous), EWC--had already limed because pH was high--basically made "supersoil" with Promix BX, and let it "cook" in 55 gal metal trash can with lid off, turning it, except for rain and then dumped that into wheelbarrow to take to holes, with powdered milk, Epsom salts, 10-10-10 (eye of newt) last season, as late as the soggy plant out was, got everything to maturity and harvest in time. It was just easier than adding separate ingredients to the hole.
 
Looks great! (And please be careful --I trust April sometimes as much as I could toss an elephant.)

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Wow, planting peppers has certainly cut into my THP time! 
 
Temps have been looking good. The dips I was worried about have disappeared, though there is one trouble spot in a week or so, but it doesn't even look like temps are going to go into the 40°'s. So, plantout begins!
 

 
Began loading everyone up on 3/31, just got the third wave planted yesterday and set some time aside to do a quick portrait of each plant. A couple were really getting stress from their looong stretch in the solo cups, but already some have started bouncing back. Beds are going to be crowded, but I am hoping strict pruning helps. I may cut back some of the annuums after a pull or two. Without further adieu...
 

 
The beds... composted and amended. Rich black soils holding moisture for now. Starting with the back bed (10) after the annuums had been planted...
 

 
Black Jalapeno... 54 days old.
 

 
Purple Jal from Jason... 55 days old.
 

 
Another purple Jal from Jason... 54 days old.
 

 
Purple Jal from PepperJoe… 53 days old.
 

 
Another purple Jal from PepperJoe... 53 days. 
 
I have noticed these annuums seem to be aphid magnets. They appeared en masse about two weeks ago, and I smushed 'em all by hand, they were gone for a week, but then reappeared a day or two before plantout. Luckily ladybugs started SWARMING the plants as I put them out. Thanks neighboring organic farm!
 

 
Giant Jal from pepperjoe... 51 days...
 

 
Another Giant Jal from PJ... 52 days...
 

 
Another Black Jal from pj...  51 days
 
That's 10! Bump for more... got a bunch of guys in the dirt itchin' to show off!

 

[Nulle]

Bump

 

[maximumcapsicum]

You got it!
 

 
Early Jal from pj... 53 days.
 

 
Early Jal from pj, 55 days.
 

 
Cracked Jal from Jamison! 50 days.
 

 
Another Cracked Jal from Jamison at 50 days.
 

 
Numex Jaquero from Jamison at 50!
 

 
Another Numex Jaquero from Jamison at 50!
 

 
Jamaican Yellow Mushroom! at 56 days from Jason!
 

 
A Giant Jal from Jamison!
 

 
Biker Billy from Jamison! 49 days.
 

 
Trinidad Chocolate Scotch Bonett from Jason! 67 days. May have stunted him a little.
 
More for the asking! BUMP

 

[Devv]

Woot!
 
I mean bump!

 

[HillBilly Jeff]

Plant out is looking good my friend.  Haven't heard of the cracked jalapeno.  Going to have to check into that one.

 

[Devv]

I check back for the bump tomorrow.
 
Glad to see your planting! Good luck with those nice looking plants!

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Work getting in the way of pepper posting! Here are the next 10:
 

 
Datil from Jason... 68 days.
 

 
Tobago Treasure from Jason...66 days.
 

 
Fresno Pepper from PJ.... 52 days.
 

 
Orange Thai from Jason via Annie! 55 days.
 

 
Goats Weed. Quite possibly my favorite annuum this year. From Jamison. 50 days. Got a second healthy seedling I am thinking about sticking in a pot.
 

 
Barrackpore X Chiletepin from Charles. Not liking the wind too much but hanging in there. Has 50+ tiny buds on it. 70 days old, but he got to hang out in a gallon pot for awhile.
 

 
TFM Bonnet. May need some support... 15 mph winds knocking him around a little. 70 days... from Jason!
 

 
Chiero Roxa generation 2! I think he crossed with a red hab, the only other nearby chinense. Wouldn't be the worst combo. 56 days old.
 

 
Red Bhut from puckerbutt. Late hook but has really taken off in the past couple weeks and plant up corresponds to a growth spurt. Got big hopes for this guy, and all the bhuts actually! 60 days.
 

 
White Bhut from Judy (pepperlove). Free seed she sent me with an order. Easily has the biggest leaves, though I stripped the bottom third. He's growing fast too. 68 days!
 
Almost through one bed, but got plenty more to show! 

 

[MeatHead1313]

Beds are looking great all filled up! Congrats! Your plants are all looking great too. 

 

[JJJessee]

Dirty Day is Here 

 

[GA Growhead]

Awesome Adam!!

 

[maximumcapsicum]

 
The majestic Yellow Bhut, c/o Charles. My best looking super. Stripped and thriving. 69 days.
 

 
Yellow Fatalii from pepperlover. Little cramped in that solo cup. 64 days.
 

 
Brown Eggs from Jason. Also stripped and strong! 69 days.
 

 
JA Hab from Scott! A little shocked but greening up nicely. 67 days. Got a younger nicer JA Hab that may go into a pot or into a neighbor's plot.
 

 
Scrappy, troubled white hab. 63 days. New growth already showing up.
 

 
Big Sun Habanero from Judy (pepperlover). Great looking plant. 55 days.
 

 
Giant White Hab from Jason! I swear it posed for this shot. Stripped and thriving. 69 days.
 

 
MoA Bonnet from Jamison. Growing very quick. It'll be interesting to compare the younger plants that'll spend more grow time in the sun to those that spent a long time under lights.. 49 days.
 

 
TFM Bonnet from Jason. 69 days. I actually have one of these mislabeled... one is a Trinidad Brown and the other is a TFM. Got to double check the tags when I hit the garden again tomorrow.
 

 
Blondie, my sole baccatum. A little lanky but taking the wind a bit better than the barrackpore x chiletepin cross. From Jason. 68 days!
 
Thanks for looking! Still another row to go!