maxcaps 2014 grow: avoiding the freeze!

maximumcapsicum · May 17, 2014

GA Growhead said:
That white bhut is... Badass!
Everything is going off! Crushing it Adam!
I would go beer traps. Don't want to harm anything beneficial. Even what could run off in the soil sounds bad.
I found earwigs on a few plants. I have never seen them on any of my plants before. It's all you fault for talking about you getting them last season.
Joking.
Looking amazing Adam!

Thanks Jason! Yeah they are looking mean. Hidden until you look under the leaves. Hoping the yellows look as mean.

No earwigs downtown yet... tons of centipedes and grasshoppers. I think grasshoppers are doing the most damage so far. Moving away from the snail/slug theory, as I just can't find any of 'em. Plants are looking pretty good right now regardless.

MeatHead1313 said:
Looking great all round Adam! Love that white bhut. As far as the slugs and snails, I tried beer traps last year with not much success. Resorted to slug and snail bait this year and it seems to be working good.

Beer traps are fun. Had mixed success with them last year, though coffee grounds seem to help. Problem with coffee grounds is they spike the nitrogen in the soil and lead to flower drop. I think DE is the way to go, if I get angry enough.

JJJessee said:
Great form on the white bhut!
That plant is worth isolating some seed.
Maybe not quite as pebble-y as a classic red, at least at this point, but form is right in there.
Looks like a winner to me.

Everything is coming on strong!
If the plants are out growing the bug damage, I usually just deal with what pests I see manually.

That's my strategy right now JJJ. The bugs don't seem to be seriously impairing any of the plants, even the frost-shocked 7Pots, so I am letting it ride. DE, mantids, and nemotodes are all possibilities for the future if I get angry enough.

I'll go ahead and isolate a branch of buds from that white bhut. Just stick a sack over the branch and tie it off right? Any suggestions on materials?

stickman said:
Nice job Adam... I see poppers in your near future! Everything else looks very happy as well. Since you have the frames for your raised beds already, think you'll get or improvise a shade cover for mid-summer?

If you do go with spreading DE for the slugs, just spread it on the ground around the plants, not on the leaves themselves. If it rains, you'll have to wait for the ground to dry out before re-applying. Walkgood said that the DE is made up of lots of flat pieces of Diatom shells... when applied to dry soil a lot of the pieces stand up on edge and cut up the slugs. If it rains, the pieces all lay flat, and he'd seen the slugs just ski right over it with no problem.

Cheers!

Yeah I can't wait for those jals. They put the breaks on with a recent bout of cold winds knocking the night-time temps into the 40's. Also some of the taller plants are shading the smaller plants now, which is slowing down the jal growth a little. Need a bigger garden, lol.

Almost there on the DE. They are using it in neighboring beds. I hesitate because I see tons of beneficials that will also get cut up by it... lady bugs and spiders are in the firing line. I've read adding mantids can help, or attracting birds.

Jeff H said:
Plants and pods are all looking real nice Adam. Keep it up.

Thanks Jeff! Gonna give it my all.

Jamison said:
Yea, I agree with Triple J and Jason on that one. Def should isolate some flowers on that White Bhut. If it actually turns out white I'd be amazed. Wouldn't mind having a few of those seeds for next year Go beat the hell out of it and tell it to hurry up and ripen so I can see! The anticipation is killin me over here Enjoy your weekend bud!

Going to. The white bhut seeds were a bonus from Judy. Gave 'em a grow because Charles sent the yellow bhuts, so I figured I should shoot for the whole spectrum.

HillBilly Jeff said:
Some great looking peppers. They are starting to kick in gear!!!

Yeah man! Temps went down again, which will slow things down, but I am hoping they'll be running again next week.

Devv said:
Wow!

Impressive Adam!

You're on your way to pain!

That White Bhut pod is a gnarly looking pod! Hope it's white. Mine are smooth so far.

The Chuncholito is kicking in nicely! Your definitely still in the game!

Have a great weekend master gardener!

Thanks Scott! Hope it's white too. No way to know bud wait. Anticipation is killing me.

Thanks for all the comments guys!

Pic isn't hot, but it sure does look like this blondie pod may be done...

GA Growhead said:
My plants look happy as can be after that cool night we just had. You should have been a few degrees warmer too. Is the sun coming out today or what?

Got to get out there later today and see how they're doing. Worried me a little bit when the wife came in yesterday and said it was in the 40°'s. May have actually helped a bit with the bugs.

annie57 · May 17, 2014

DAYum, Adam! Gorgeous plants!! (and the white bhut is filling me with envy :party:

); I used some summer curtain lining material for tying off branches last year--free since my mother relines her summer curtains every spring :rolleyes:

--but grateful to have her extra. Any fabric shop would have it, really light stuff.

I'm thinking grasshoppers too. One almost defoliated one of my white 7's so around dark o'clock, during that heat wave, I waited, hunting, as he came back for more. Got him as he jumped with Raid Hornet spray. :rofl:

Kilt him deadern 4 'clock: I was "angry." Cool weather has chilled their jets but best control is weed control, I think. But with cold and rain, glad not mulched yet.

When the heck did you start these plants, man??! Looking great (and please let it warm back up!). 40's at night from 70's but OTOH, stress makes peppers hotter. I was screaming at my winter squash babies last night--just cotys. The heat + rain and here they came poppin' out of mounds with lows in 40's--can't teach a seed nuthin.'

I too would love to try some of those white bhuts; prettiest one seen on here yet! Might be gnarly and if so . . . serious winner as all I got were smooth last year. Just gorgeous!

Spicegeist · May 17, 2014

maximumcapsicum said:
Yellow Bhut has set pods! No lookers yet though, just little guys.

Barrackpore X Chiletepin is maturing! Going to be tons of these guys. Look like they'll make a mean sauce, what do you think Charles? A great looking plant for sure.

The cross looks like it may have been pollinated by a third pepper... reminds me of a Chintexle the way they are turning out...

In fact, did I send you any Chintexle seed? They look very much like it...

Yellow Bhuts on the way... hurray!

stickman · May 19, 2014

maximumcapsicum said:
Almost there on the DE. They are using it in neighboring beds. I hesitate because I see tons of beneficials that will also get cut up by it... lady bugs and spiders are in the firing line. I've read adding mantids can help, or attracting birds.

I don't think I'd worry too much about friendlies getting cut up by the DE if you put it down on the ground. Most of them have wings and can fly over it, or exoskeleton-covered bodies and legs that minimize contact by elevating the insect body above it. Some folks dust the leaves of their plants with DE to cut up chewing insects... especially caterpillars... but that doesn't seem to be enough of a problem for you to worry about ATM.

So cool you're getting ripe pods now! How do the Blondies taste?

PaulG · May 19, 2014

Looking good, Adam!

OCD Chilehead · May 19, 2014

Plants are looking happy.

maximumcapsicum · May 21, 2014

annie57 said:
DAYum, Adam! Gorgeous plants!! (and the white bhut is filling me with envy ); I used some summer curtain lining material for tying off branches last year--free since my mother relines her summer curtains every spring --but grateful to have her extra. Any fabric shop would have it, really light stuff.

I'm thinking grasshoppers too. One almost defoliated one of my white 7's so around dark o'clock, during that heat wave, I waited, hunting, as he came back for more. Got him as he jumped with Raid Hornet spray. Kilt him deadern 4 'clock: I was "angry." Cool weather has chilled their jets but best control is weed control, I think. But with cold and rain, glad not mulched yet.

When the heck did you start these plants, man??! Looking great (and please let it warm back up!). 40's at night from 70's but OTOH, stress makes peppers hotter. I was screaming at my winter squash babies last night--just cotys. The heat + rain and here they came poppin' out of mounds with lows in 40's--can't teach a seed nuthin.' I too would love to try some of those white bhuts; prettiest one seen on here yet! Might be gnarly and if so . . . serious winner as all I got were smooth last year. Just gorgeous!

LOL! Great way to handle the grasshoppers. They're all nymphs at this stage... little tiny grasshoppers. I'm 99% sure they're doing the damage. Luckily the holes in the leaves aren't stoppin' the plants, and they're numbers are going down. Moreover they're really only harassing one bed (poor 7 pots) so I'll continue to let it slide.

Thanks for the tip on the curtain material. I'll look around this weekend and see what I can come up with. Got to try to get some flowers covered in the next week or so.

Spicegeist said:
The cross looks like it may have been pollinated by a third pepper... reminds me of a Chintexle the way they are turning out...

In fact, did I send you any Chintexle seed? They look very much like it...

Yellow Bhuts on the way... hurray!

YES! The Bhuts look so good. Hoping the taste as good as they look. Not sure about the Chintexle... you didn't send chintexle seed, but who knows? I think its my son's favorite plant though, so there you have it. Can't wait till all those tiny little pods start to mature.

stickman said:
I don't think I'd worry too much about friendlies getting cut up by the DE if you put it down on the ground. Most of them have wings and can fly over it, or exoskeleton-covered bodies and legs that minimize contact by elevating the insect body above it. Some folks dust the leaves of their plants with DE to cut up chewing insects... especially caterpillars... but that doesn't seem to be enough of a problem for you to worry about ATM.

So cool you're getting ripe pods now! How do the Blondies taste?

Truth. I don't know why I am procrastinating on putting down the DE... the pests just don't really seem to be slowing too much down yet. Maybe I'll make some decisions this weekend. I really should have followed more of your companion planting advice, luckily the people around me have so much lavender, basil, coriander, and marigolds in they're beds that I think I am pretty safe. Unfortunately a couple also let their beds go to weed.

Picked the blondies... will discuss below!

PaulG said:
Looking good, Adam!

Thanks Paul! Your grow is looking fantastic. My container plants aren't performing nearly as well. Except for the bonchis.

OCD Chilehead said:
Plants are looking happy.

Thanks OCD!

First ripe pods, first raw salsa (pico?). This has been a fun pepper week so far, and we're only at the hump!

Decided I'd do a round of mostly plant pics, as most of my pods are still quite small or unripe.

Here is the tomato/hot pepper bed. Tomato plants are huge. I am pinching sucker branches all over, and pruning branches from the bottom or over the peppers entirely. Got a couple flower clusters forming though, so it won't be long.

Annuum and chinense bed. It's doing quite well. Very little pest damage here... grasshoppers and snails are only interested in the weaker plants... 7 pots are the worse off. Unfortunately the freeze and uneven growth has created some shading issues. The chuncho, for instance, is stuck behind an orange thai that has really taken off. Shades it during the afternoon. Still gets the morning sun though. If it doesn't work itself out, I'll stake the thai forward to compensate.

This may be why the second bed is doing so well...

You guys may remember this as the frozen 7 pot that lost all its leaves. Doesn't seem to care now, lol.

Reapers are looking good. This is a Smokin' Ed. Tons of buds on these plants... hoping they leaf up a little to prevent sunburn.

The king and queen of my supers. Yellow on the left and white bhut on the right. Leaves are shading a couple dozen pods.

My flagship pepper of sorts. These are my chiero roxas... not the best tasting, but the only pepper I successfully grew from seed last year, so my first success. The first generation plant is there, a bonchi. Behind her is her daughter, a possible hybrid roxa x red hab, but sure is starting to look true. I only suspect its a cross because of its vigorous growth. Love these plants. The bonchis are looking very good now... need to pot them properly, but decided to wait until I see pods for some reason. Maybe get some true seeds.

Brown eggs starting to look like something...

Had some help doin the rounds on Monday. Henry has decided the Barrackpore X Chileten (Chintexle?) is fascinating, maybe because its bigger than he is. My wife helped collect a handful of unripe purple jals (so they were pretty much black) and some corked biker billy's.

Whipped up my first raw jalapeno salsa with this season's harvest, and I must say its quite good. The purple jals have almost no heat, but they have a good, fresh flavor. Distintively green, slightly sweet and slightly pungent. They are thin and crunchy, almost like serranos... very good for a fresh salsa. I am hoping ripe they get a little hotter and sweeter... I may use them for candied jal's, mixed with ripe Early's or Giants. The Biker Billy's were much juicier than the purple jals'. These pods were made for poppin'. They have thick walls, I'd say 5-6 mm, so I bet they'd cook up well. Pods have a slight bitterness in place of the purple jal's sweetness.

Here are my first ripe pods... 2 small blondies. Ripe 49 days after transplant. I ate the big one raw. Very thin, watery pod with perhaps cayenne level heat. More than I was expecting. Flavor reminded me of some of the long thai's, maybe a tad more floral. Tons of seeds. This particular pod was so watery that it was hard to get a good impression. These may be made for drying, or for using stews and chiles. Jury is still out... need to try a couple more.

I chopped the smaller one and cooked it with some eggs. Much better impression. Added a pleasant crunch and a hint of sweet heat that worked well with eggs and cheese (most peppers work well with eggs and cheese). Pod was small though, so it was underpowered.

Need a few more before I know exactly what to do with 'em! Anyone ever powdered one of these guys?

Thanks for readin!

Jeff H · May 21, 2014

Nice update Adam. Wife and kid look like they are enjoying the gardening experience too. Amazing how big your plants are compared to mine. What a difference 500 miles south makes.

Jamison · May 21, 2014

Little Henry had me crackin' up! What a cute little kid! So funny how they are fascinated with everything. Good job on raising a handsome young man!

Peppers and plants are looking great. Glad to see everything just kickin' ass over there. Lady bugs getting it on, bow chicka wow wow, nice photo indeed. I'm loving all your success Adam, awesome job brotha!

Devv · May 21, 2014

Everything is looking great Adam! Diggin' the Ladybug porn

Always good to see them around.

You have a nice looking family too! I'm sure Henry is into everything! My youngest G-Kid is 11 months and all boy, likes to mess with anything he can get his hands on.

Glad your first salsa was enjoyable, and it's just starting :party:

Weekend is getting closer!

GA Growhead · May 21, 2014

Is that purple on the blondes? If so they aren't ripe yet. After the purple tan fades and they are no longer transparent they are ripe.
If that's more of a red color they might have crossed with something.

HillBilly Jeff · May 21, 2014

Everything is looking good. Loved the update.

PaulG · May 22, 2014

Nice work, Adam; your grow is looking great!

Dreamweaver · May 22, 2014

Yeah nice setup...raised beds with shading hoops looks like the way to go.

maximumcapsicum · May 25, 2014

Jeff H said:
Nice update Adam. Wife and kid look like they are enjoying the gardening experience too. Amazing how big your plants are compared to mine. What a difference 500 miles south makes.

They for sure. Henry is mesmerized by all the bugs (mostly good guys). Got to be careful to keep the wasps away from the baby.

Yours will catch up and overtake... don't worry.

Jamison said:
Little Henry had me crackin' up! What a cute little kid! So funny how they are fascinated with everything. Good job on raising a handsome young man!

Peppers and plants are looking great. Glad to see everything just kickin' ass over there. Lady bugs getting it on, bow chicka wow wow, nice photo indeed. I'm loving all your success Adam, awesome job brotha!

Thanks Jamison! He was cracking up himself, but that's nothing new. You know, ladybugs can do whatever they want in those beds... I wish they'd hit up the tomatoes and 7pot bed a little more, but you take what you can get! Wish I could attract some mantids.

Devv said:
Everything is looking great Adam! Diggin' the Ladybug porn Always good to see them around.

You have a nice looking family too! I'm sure Henry is into everything! My youngest G-Kid is 11 months and all boy, likes to mess with anything he can get his hands on.

Glad your first salsa was enjoyable, and it's just starting

Weekend is getting closer!

Thanks Scott. I think they're a dam fine bunch too! Henry accompanies me for most waterings, those as the temps go up and the skeeters come out I may have to dial it back a bit.

What's cool is Henry is very gentle with the plants. I mean he'll rip most things apart in a flash, but seems to know that you got to have a light touch with the peppers.

GA Growhead said:
Is that purple on the blondes? If so they aren't ripe yet. After the purple tan fades and they are no longer transparent they are ripe.
If that's more of a red color they might have crossed with something.

Yes! So I ate them immature. Good to know. They did seem a bit watery. I'll leave all the others (and there are plenty of others) on the plant a bit longer and see where that takes me. We got to plan those SE meetups soon!

HillBilly Jeff said:
Everything is looking good. Loved the update.

Thanks HJeff! Everything is looking good on your end too...+ fish. We went to the Chattahoochee today and I thought of you.

PaulG said:
Nice work, Adam; your grow is looking great!

Thanks Paul. I do what I can. Don't quite have your touch with the containers yet but I am learning.

Dreamweaver said:
Yeah nice setup...raised beds with shading hoops looks like the way to go.

Thanks for stopping by man. Yeah I'll need to string some shading cloths up there a bit later in the season.

Visited the garden yesterday. Tons of pods are setting, jal's are maturing. First order of business was to isolate a couple. Trippa posted that he generally just shifts pollen from one flower to another on the same plant to get isolated seeds. I decided to start that way, following his comments and a guide on fatalii.net.

Found some unopened flowers. Removed a petal or two with tweezers.

Took a Q-tip to a couple of opened flowers on the same plant. Couldn't really see the pollen on the q-tip but I could see it on my hand when I removed a stamen.

Marked the "isolated" flowers after adding the pollen to the stigma of the unopened flowers.

Did this with the white bhuts, yellow bhuts, and JA habs from Devv so far. Also planning on pouching a couple of branches when I find suitable material, but haven't had a whole lot of time to look.

White Bhuts are still looking mean.

Yellow Bhut from Charles (Spicegeist) has set about a dozen pods... growing quick!

Brown Eggs are abundant!

MoA flowers are opening up!

Fatalii pod has set.

Second MoA is looking good too!

Bonchis are setting pods! Will do some closeups tomorrow.

Thanks for reading!

HabaneroHead · May 26, 2014

Hi Adam,

Once again, impressive pictures! It is good to see the pods on those monsters, I can't wait to see them ripening!

Balázs

Devv · May 26, 2014

Very nice Adam!

Glad to see all those pods setting. That brown egg is loading up!

Have a great week!

GA Growhead · May 26, 2014

Seriously! That brown egg is going off!

HillBilly Jeff · May 26, 2014

Your plants are looking sweet. I need to do a better job of getting them used to the sun so they don't burn so much.

Jeff H · May 26, 2014

Plants are looking good Adam. I'm amazed at how big they are.

I like your isolating, but you should bag the blossom after you pollinate it to keep other pollen out of it in case yours didn't take.