MGOLD86's GLOG, of sorts. NEW Billy Boy Douglah Review!

Dulac · Mar 28, 2012

MGOLD86 said:
Yup, the ground is frozen....definitely not planting out early....

Freakin NC.

Ahh! I'm hardening off here in south VA. Super windy today! One plant has some damage. They need to be able to withstand coastal winds so if it dies it dies. Our temperatures dropped this week too but no frost. I was thinking our states were pretty much in clear for frost. To be on the safe side I'm not putting them in the ground until mid April. I think your forecast for April is fine. The soil will stay a bit warmer while in the ground. My plants in red cups have been doing fine when it has hit the low 40s this month. You can also cover the plants when the temperatures get low.

PaulG · Mar 28, 2012

Hey, Matt, good luck with the double dig!
It will pay off for you, for sure.
Let's face it, weather sux.

MGOLD86 · Mar 31, 2012

Whats up MGOLD Fans! Bwa.ha.aha..aha..... Ok, enough being dumb...

I am tired of fighting with kids on facebook about purpling leaves on non-purple varieties. OK...You are right, you cant burn your seedling putting it 2 inches away from your HO T5. You are right. Go ahead an loose your crop because you don't wanna take a bit of advice from someone who has already killed everything from it....OK, rant over. Time for an update.

First off, I am truckin along waiting for plant out. Last week I potted up everything and I think that most everything made the transition pretty well. Here is a pic.

My name is Matt and I am an overwaterer.....Don't you dare laugh! I know you have done it before.... :lol:

In an attempt to make sure my babies were comfy, I gave them a bit more water than they may have needed. You know, like when you are playing PONG and loosing. You never go to the table expecting to down a 12 pack in 20 mins, but your opponent had nothing better to do in college but practice throwing pong balls into red solo cups....

I also was bottom watering. I read that Greg used bottom watering once he potted up, and I gave it a shot. I think I am gonna stick with watering from the top. I don't know what it is about bottom watering and me, but it just always turns out bad. I bumped my ferts to about 1/3 strength instead of 1/4 and am using it every other watering. I had some heavy yellowing, but after one feeding from the top, a lot of green has shown up.

Instead of focusing on the good, I want to focus on the bad for this one. I have a couple of issues and photos to show you to see if anyone has any advice. A lot of my plants look good and I am not worried about having more than enough to plant out, I would just like to figure out what is up with some of these guys so I can avoid a bigger issue down the road.

Here are some of my older guys. With these two, I have some leaf burn. I have avoided getting water or food on the leaves, I only sprayed the leaves with water once right before the lights went out for the night. But I am seeing this on a handful of them. Little brown "burnt" spots.

Also I have some leaf curl. I know, I know, CALCIUM...But I am giving them calcium in every feeding. It is 1/3 strength, but they are still getting it.

What I have done: I let everything dry out before watering, and I ran Clearex through the bigger ones to kind of drain out the salts. I am just trying to make it another 3 weeks until plant out. I think once I get them in the ground they will take off, and since I am going to fertilize my whole plot i will not have to worry about feeding at least until fruit sets.

I talked to my local Horticulture representative about my soil analysis and she gave me some great tips. I talked about it in my other thread about determining the amount of fertilizer to put in a garden plot, but basically I need about 10 lbs of lime, 1 pound of N and a tiny bit potassium. That, combined with a few inches of compost will really supercharge my soil and be perfect for peppers. I am having my dad come into town next weekend over Easter to see the baby, and I told him to bring some work clothes...I have 350 sq ft to double dig and it aint gonna dig itself.....

Here is the vid for all you non-reading growers....

http://youtu.be/PwqmbR6s5r0

TheAmatureGreenThumb · Mar 31, 2012

Damn Matt you're lookin' like a beast now.

I have the hardest time with my iPhone and not getting my fingers in the way when filming. I swear its like I always grap the lens.

Lookin good tho kid. Can't wait to see how things look in a month.

MGOLD86 · Mar 31, 2012

TheAmatureGreenThumb said:
Damn Matt you're lookin' like a beast now.

I have the hardest time with my iPhone and not getting my fingers in the way when filming. I swear its like I always grap the lens.

Lookin good tho kid. Can't wait to see how things look in a month.

LOL! I didn't even notice it until I watched the video back. I am gonna have to make sure I don't do it next time...

Maxsack331 · Mar 31, 2012

I'm not sure, but i have had some curling too with some of mine, and I think, since like you I have been adding Calcium every watering, but I believe it has to do with the soil getting really dry before watering again, possibly.. I have been trying to let the pots dry out, but not completely, but it's been a pain since a few of them dry out a few days slower and some dry out a few days earlier.. but oh well, every 5 days for the 1 gallon pots are working pretty well so far....

they don't have edema bumps on them do they? and what is the humidity in there, because mine was really high and it was causing a bunch of them to curl in some way...I just leave the top of my "door" flap unzipped to get some good airflow, since it it warm enough now for it to not really matter trying to keep the heat in, it's the humidity that I need out. and in the mean time, I would not spray the ones that are curling for now, and see what happens.

oh and what kind of kids are you hanging out with on facebook?? lol you should tell them to learn to respect their elders and people that know more than them or you will call their house and tell their mom's :lol:

gnslngr · Mar 31, 2012

My name is Matt and I am an overwaterer.....Don't you dare laugh! I know you have done it before.... :lol:

...a lurking overwaterer..er
I too am an overwaterererist.....any way -enough being stupid til next time. As to bottom watering, it always leaves me water logged...or did until I went to styro cups, I will figure the volume for 1" in each cup bottom, and just add enough to the tray. Since the cups are all doubled, even less gets into the bottom. I top water around the sides of each cup.I AM FANATICAL about this.My wife sweares she does this too, she is fibbing...but I thinks she does swear the first time or 2 she actually does try this, before she goes into a zombie like trance fills 2 solo cups ,and "row waters" using POUROMETRICS-this is the careful timing of each pour, based on the amount of angle to distibute the most water, that will cover the entire row, in the least amount of time.
She can water em all in less then 7-8 minutes.For some reason they have all lived through this, and she tells me all 85 are high and spry.-it is a mystery to me though.If this is true....I won't care. :rofl:

Excess water will make the leaves cup as does to many nutes....your plants are "bad ass" green, lookin vascular and ready grow like mofo's.
So....do we fret for naught, I think not....when you look at numbers-we will concentrate on the few little problem guys, trying to tweak them into awesomeness, and lose sight of the many...but I guess why so many turn out really well-because of the few.

I said that beer free(6 weeks to make up :drunk:

), disturbing so...5 days til feet dry;and I finally got some hooks on my onboard grow :halo:

14 days..wtf?.

You watch out for those little facebook bastards...they will be tweetin your adress to masses for dis'n em!
Beers-
DJ

PaulG · Mar 31, 2012

Your plants are looking very healthy and happy, Matt.
That overwatering thing is a real booger, all right. I really
like the idea of weighing a dry pot full of soil and watering
accordingly, thanks to somebody for that idea. Takes the
guesswork out of it. And using all one size pot. I have a
hodgepodge now, and its a PITA.

Anyway, you are implementing a superior grow. Carry on, Matt!

Maxsack331 · Apr 1, 2012

oh and Matt, I was wondering why you are going to add all that lime? the lowest pH on your test shows 5.8, I would think between 6-6.5 would be where you want to be, and I would think only a little bit of lime would get you there.. since peppers like it around 5.5-6.5 or so, what did the lady from the soil test say that the lime would bring the pH to?

gnslngr · Apr 1, 2012

Forget about the lime......unless you are in NEED of tweaking the soil to maintain mental control :whistle:

.

MGOLD86 · Apr 1, 2012

PaulG said:
Your plants are looking very healthy and happy, Matt.
That overwatering thing is a real booger, all right. I really
like the idea of weighing a dry pot full of soil and watering
accordingly, thanks to somebody for that idea. Takes the
guesswork out of it. And using all one size pot. I have a
hodgepodge now, and its a PITA.

Anyway, you are implementing a superior grow. Carry on, Matt!

Yea, I really hate myself for overloving them.... But I think that once they are outside I will be able to read the signs more often. I have most of my plants in one size pot, but the other 10 or so are in a bigger one. I haven't weighed them before, but I do kinda use the lift method. If the flat is super light, then I water. But I think it is easier to overwater when you bottom water (at least it is for me). Watering from the top is easier for me to control.

Maxsack331 said:
oh and Matt, I was wondering why you are going to add all that lime? the lowest pH on your test shows 5.8, I would think between 6-6.5 would be where you want to be, and I would think only a little bit of lime would get you there.. since peppers like it around 5.5-6.5 or so, what did the lady from the soil test say that the lime would bring the pH to?

I don't know, the lady just said I needed a lot of lime. I think like 75lbs per 1k sq ft. If you guys are saying I don't need all of that, then ill skip it. I don't wanna overdo it. We never talked ph, just total lime reqt.

gnslngr said:
Forget about the lime......unless you are in NEED of tweaking the soil to maintain mental control .

May end up going that route. That or just adding a little bit.

Also, I ordered all of my irrigation stuff last night. I got a hundred feet of Drip Tape and plan on burying it a few inches under the row. Also, I am thinking about using weed cloth instead of plastic mulch. That way I can avoid a weed overtaking, but also get air to the soil. What do ya think?

gnslngr · Apr 1, 2012

Go for the weed cloth....allows the soil to breath , work great.

Maxsack331 · Apr 1, 2012

I was thinking about the same thing about the weed cloth, haven't had great results with it before on the sides of the yard, because it just grew through it, but there was mulch covering it, I might just do the weed cloth on top without anything else. .that way it will also warm the soil more, and then in august or something I will put some hay down.. I dono, we will see.. haven't checked out the prices on that yet..

I also have been meaning to do the drip line like you too, I need to give my friend a call, his dad helps run an irrigation business and I use to work for him a little, so if I can get the stuff semi cheap I can run drip lines for the rows, and then a line buried going to the house spicket (sp?)

but as far as the lime, there was only that 1 spot that was a little low, but for kicks you could just do a light dusting, and hopefully with the added N, it will even out to around 6pH or 6.5pH at the most

PaulG · Apr 1, 2012

gnslngr said:
Go for the weed cloth....allows the soil to breath , work great.

+1

You can get the cheapest grade for your purposes, I think.

PIC 1 · Apr 1, 2012

Hey Matt your plants are looking perdy good!
As far as bottom watering, The main reason I do it is to avoid fungal gnats. It also makes it easier when you have 8 containers in a flat times lots of flats, When all the plants leaves are shaking hands it makes it difficult to remove containers without damaging leaves. It looks like your using taller style containers. If the roots are at the bottom then the bottom watering would help out dearly. But if your transplant is sitting high and your medium is dense the plants will not receive the amount of water needed.......who cares...right?
Lets talk about the camera on the table, Looks like your gearing up for some awesome close-up pod shots in the summer................... :cool:

Hey man keep doing what you are! It's all coming together and those plants will be monsters...

Greg

stc3248 · Apr 2, 2012

I am looking forward to pod shots as well! Looking good man, keep 'em going! You gonna take the pod shots with your Iphone too and keep your spensive camera in the background for scale?

Beehunter · Apr 2, 2012

Hey Matt you guys make me so damn paranoid with all your over watering top ive become an Underwatererererer. I think i end up wilting my plants everytime because im scared to water them. Let me know when you figure out how to find a happy medium

Hey i know you said you are getting close to plant out. Have you picked a week yet?

Pr0digal_son · Apr 2, 2012

Those plants have come a long way from the overwater,nute burn,light burn,or soil issue that was plaguing you. Growing these is a marathon and not a race I guess. Keep up the good work.

mrz1988 · Apr 2, 2012

Lookin good Matt. Keep it goin. I don't think Calcium is your issue with the leaf curl, maybe look at your watering?

MGOLD86 · Apr 2, 2012

PIC 1 said:
Hey Matt your plants are looking perdy good!
As far as bottom watering, The main reason I do it is to avoid fungal gnats. It also makes it easier when you have 8 containers in a flat times lots of flats, When all the plants leaves are shaking hands it makes it difficult to remove containers without damaging leaves. It looks like your using taller style containers. If the roots are at the bottom then the bottom watering would help out dearly. But if your transplant is sitting high and your medium is dense the plants will not receive the amount of water needed.......who cares...right?
Lets talk about the camera on the table, Looks like your gearing up for some awesome close-up pod shots in the summer...................
Hey man keep doing what you are! It's all coming together and those plants will be monsters...

Greg

Thanks Greg. It is a whole hell of a lot easier, but since I got the big watering "jug" with the pump and squirter it has made it a bit easier. I think you are right about the roots sitting high. Either way, I am still trying to figure out this watering thing. Once I do, it will pay dividends for me. But once they are in the ground, it wont matter much....No need to debate top or bottom watering. I have a dripline and that should work out better for me. Just gotta keep an eye on how long it is on for. Just gonna try to listen to the plants a bit and see what they want. The spots are bothering me a bit, they seem to be getting a bit worse. It may be an effect of the overwatering, or light burn. I raised the CFLs up a few inches and will see how that works out for me.

LOL! That camera takes amazing photos, IF you are in the right environment with the right lens. I have a lot of trouble getting well exposed shots in the tent, even WITH a tripod. Once we are outside, the sun should really take my photos up a notch.

stc3248 said:
I am looking forward to pod shots as well! Looking good man, keep 'em going! You gonna take the pod shots with your Iphone too and keep your spensive camera in the background for scale?

I just may! lol. I swear, this new 4s takes some pretty stellar photos. I don't have to worry about f stops, DOF, lighting.....BUT I will be breaking it out come plant out. Should take some great photos once I am under the sun.

Beehunter said:
Hey Matt you guys make me so damn paranoid with all your over watering top ive become an Underwatererererer. I think i end up wilting my plants everytime because im scared to water them. Let me know when you figure out how to find a happy medium Hey i know you said you are getting close to plant out. Have you picked a week yet?

I make myself paranoid! I still jack everything up. Honestly, if I can just make it another few weeks......another few weeks.......another few weeks.....

Pr0digal_son said:
Those plants have come a long way from the overwater,nute burn,light burn,or soil issue that was plaguing you. Growing these is a marathon and not a race I guess. Keep up the good work.

Thanks! It is crazy seeing them actually look like pepper plants for a change. I just told myself that it is my first season and if I can make it with a few plants, then it was a success. Every subsequent season for the rest of my life (so like 95 or so) will help me to get better. Definitely a marathon for a season and an Ultra for the rest of my life.

mrz1988 said:
Lookin good Matt. Keep it goin. I don't think Calcium is your issue with the leaf curl, maybe look at your watering?

Yea, I think that is what it is also. Thanks Matt.

Thanks everyone for the weed cloth recommendation, I can get it at Lowes (yay for 10% off) so I think that is what I am gonna do. I went to work today at 4 am and it was 69 F. I am definitely lovin this weather. If all goes well, I will plant out not this weekend, but the next. My dad is on his way into town to see the baby and spend Easter with us, so I told him to bring outside work clothes....FILTHY outside work clothes.... :lol: