Mildfruits 2020 hydroponic

Devv · Apr 22, 2020

Well done!

Your plants are killing it!

I'm totally intrigued as to how, those of you in Northern climates, grow these warm climate loving plants.

PaulG · Apr 22, 2020

The de Arbol is loaded!

I found a half a pic of the tall Aji Amarillo on
the edge of another photo. It's in an 18 gallon
container. 2012:

Mildfruit · Apr 26, 2020

Devv said:
Well done!

Your plants are killing it!
I'm totally intrigued as to how, those of you in Northern climates, grow these warm climate loving plants.

Thanks you :=)!
Well we have to jump through a few hoops to get some peppers, but when there's a will there's a way

PaulG said:
The de Arbol is loaded!

I found a half a pic of the tall Aji Amarillo on
the edge of another photo. It's in an 18 gallon
container. 2012:

Holy shi* What an absolute monster. Im not sure if I want that beast in my glog, it'll make all my other pictures pale in comparison

Ah I truly miss a garden when I see plants like that

Mildfruit · Apr 26, 2020

Update time :dance:

Seems like some annuum pollen did the trick to kick start the first pod on the chocolate ghost. None of its flowers have created pollen yet, but with my new gained patience toward the chinense plants, im sure it will come in the next few weeks

This was a very nice surprise when I walked into the grow room this morning. Like the first time when plants germinate, I love the period when the first fruit starts to ripe.

And when we talk about ripe fruit, De Arbol was miles ahead, already a few ripe pods in between the many pods, I don't think 50 or 60 is a bad estimate of pods so far. Nevertheless im going to taste this classical pepper first time tonight! Im sure it'll be great

The KGS LB is rather rough looking, still no stinger, but some of the newer pods on the plant looks like they might be candidates to get a stinger. Fingers still crossed

The Costa Rica red is now beginning to set a new wave of flowers. First open flower in a few weeks after it lost the initial sets of flowers. I hope my time looking at Pauls pubescents have gained me some luck regarding pod setting. We'll see.

The 7pod Primo is loving the window, still not transplanted in its final container despite the size. Huge leafs and lots of to-be flowers have begun emerging. This plant is going to my brother next week, to a better window and transplant.

Inoks · Apr 26, 2020

Great work! Do you have any chance to get plants out? Denmark is warm and sunny in summer, right

Mildfruit · Apr 26, 2020

Inoks said:
Great work! Do you have any chance to get plants out? Denmark is warm and sunny in summer, right

Unfortunately I don't have a garden, only a balcony faced west. But yea weather in the summer usually is warm and sunny, ideally a greenhouse would be perfect for growing outside. Lespaulde's glog is a great example of what outside growing in Denmark is all about

Inoks · Apr 26, 2020

Ah hes from denmark too, land of the Astralis. Have to check that out. Easier to relate to European grows/growers

PaulG · Apr 26, 2020

i am always inspired by the growers in northern EU!

You guys rock. Keep that Scandinavian train going!

Mildfruit · Apr 28, 2020

My c. galapagoense flowered, but I've read they have 5 "flowers" and I only count 4 here. Hmm.

Perhaps its something else.

Heres a picture of my cappuccino tepin, starting to put of to-be flowers! Exciting times!

PaulG · Apr 28, 2020

I wouldn't worry about the number of flowers on
an individual node. The number varies from node
to node on my plants, unless it's just one flower
per node. Even the two-flowers-per-node types
have some variance.

With the galapagos, every flower is a victory!
Both of those plants look good! My Cappuccino
Chiltepin is going through some rough times.

Mildfruit · May 2, 2020

PaulG said:
I wouldn't worry about the number of flowers on
an individual node. The number varies from node
to node on my plants, unless it's just one flower
per node. Even the two-flowers-per-node types
have some variance.

With the galapagos, every flower is a victory!
Both of those plants look good! My Cappuccino
Chiltepin is going through some rough times.

My bad, my English sometimes gets mixed up with my danish. I looked up the proper term which is "petals" I meant that that number is only 4, which according to pictures I found online is normally 5. It does create a lot pollen and I think the first pod is setting.
Sorry to hear about your tepin, what's happening with it?

Pictures of the "mystery" plant sold as c. galapagoense

In other news, my chocolate ghost is doing splendid!

The aci dolma is getting hit by some end rot, which I think is due to irregular watering schedules when I had to clean my drippers which took a few weeks :confused:

Lastly the Costa Rican Red is beginning to make pollen so fingers are super crossed!

PaulG · May 2, 2020

The Chocolate Ghost pepper looks wicked, Rasmus.

The galapagos sure looks like the one I grew years ago.
Pretty fuzzy and not real dense foliage.

My Cappuccino Chiltepin and one of my c. praetermissums
just suddenly stopped taking up water and dropped leaves.
I'm posting a pic of it in my grow log today sometime. The
preaetermissum lost all it's leaves, but is slowly growing out
at the nodes. The Cap Chiltepin has leaves, but most are
small and curled. Also slowly growing out of whatever it was.
They might not make to to plant-out.

lespaulde · May 3, 2020

MF, finally managed to catch up on your excellent glog, and you good sir are off to an awesome season this year with all the new gear, varieties and willpower to take on the inherent challenges. It's been super fun reading all your progress and new approaches and I think the results are already speaking for themselves. You seem to have control over pretty much all the variables, and will be swimming in 'maters in a matter of weeks, that must feel pretty d*rn nice!

I think I'd agree with the humidity concern in terms of Chinenses, as I've also never had any good luck with those plants setting pods when just put on a window sill; they'd just never seem to produce any pollen. Last year, my KS LSB was doing much better inside the tent, which did not have any active exhaust and thus got very humid during the day. Given that you are on LED and have a nice sizeable tent, I'm guessing indeed you might need a bit more heat/humidity for those plants to thrive? Do you have active exhaust going on? Of course it's a tradeoff as the Rocotos don't seem to happy with heat (mine also started complaining some weeks ago, hence why I moved them onto a window sill), so I guess it's a bit of a balancing act one has to do... :drunk:

That Chocolate ghost looks mean and I guess some caution is advisable when trying to sample that one! For the rest, lot's of really good eating coming your way and you should enjoy. Thanks for all the amazing pictures, really nice with the closeups!

PaulG said:
i am always inspired by the growers in northern EU!

You guys rock. Keep that Scandinavian train going!

Haha only trying to live up to legends like yourself and others here on THP who are making the most of tough climates; one day perhaps we can have a growdown throwdown of PNW vs Scandinavia?!? :onfire:

Sorry to hear about your recent plant troubles on those 2 varieties, hopefully they'll pull through, and otherwise I know they have worth replacements waiting in the barracks!

CaneDog · May 3, 2020

lespaulde said:
I think I'd agree with the humidity concern in terms of Chinenses, as I've also never had any good luck with those plants setting pods when just put on a window sill; they'd just never seem to produce any pollen. Last year, my KS LSB was doing much better inside the tent, which did not have any active exhaust and thus got very humid during the day. Given that you are on LED and have a nice sizeable tent, I'm guessing indeed you might need a bit more heat/humidity for those plants to thrive? Do you have active exhaust going on? Of course it's a tradeoff as the Rocotos don't seem to happy with heat (mine also started complaining some weeks ago, hence why I moved them onto a window sill), so I guess it's a bit of a balancing act one has to do...

This seems to be what I'm finding comparing Chinense performance in two tents that are identical, but for an HLG100 in one and T5HO in the other. I've always had great Chinese pod set under the T5's, but in this my first time growing to fruit under the HLG. It seems they're less inclined to set under the HLG. Case in point: I have 2 Murupi plants that sprouted together. I kept one growing under the T5's and moved the other to the HLG tent. The plants flowered at essentially the same time, but the one remaining under the T5's has set fruit, while the other hasn't yet. Notably, I've since moved the T5 Murupi over to the HLG tent and it has stalled on setting pods.

lespaulde said:
... one day perhaps we can have a growdown throwdown of PNW vs Scandinavia?!?

Oh it's on!

Devv · May 3, 2020

Some great looking pics of some great looking plants!
I think I've said it before, I'm amazed at the work I see happening in all the colder climates.
My weather is on the other end of the spectrum, but seem a lot easier to deal with.

I have to comment on the aci dolma; I'm thinking BER (blossom end rot). We have the issue here with tomatoes (big time), somehow it doesn't affect peppers.
I've seen some different opinions on the actual cause, some say calcium, other papers get into science way over my head. :confused:

What works for me here is a product called calmag. I mix 1 once per gallon and do a foilar application 2 times a week.
Also one can mix Epsom salt and Calcium Nitrate. I use 1 tablespoon of each per gallon and apply the same way as Calmag. Calmag is simpler :shh:

I'm wondering about the lights, T5 versus LED and the colors of the light. I bought a LED for this years starts and it has two color choices. One for grow and one for bloom. Still testing that baby out

PaulG · May 4, 2020

CaneDog said:
kept one growing under the T5's and moved the other to the HLG tent. The plants flowered at essentially the same time, but the one remaining under the T5's has set fruit, while the other hasn't yet. Notably, I've since moved the T5 Murupi over to the HLG tent and it has stalled on setting pods.

Oh it's on!

Perhaps it has something to do with a
color temperature difference between the
two lamps. Just a crazy thought.

+1 Devv!

Mildfruit · May 5, 2020

PaulG said:
The Chocolate Ghost pepper looks wicked, Rasmus.

The galapagos sure looks like the one I grew years ago.
Pretty fuzzy and not real dense foliage.

My Cappuccino Chiltepin and one of my c. praetermissums
just suddenly stopped taking up water and dropped leaves.
I'm posting a pic of it in my grow log today sometime. The
preaetermissum lost all it's leaves, but is slowly growing out
at the nodes. The Cap Chiltepin has leaves, but most are
small and curled. Also slowly growing out of whatever it was.
They might not make to to plant-out.

Sounds like it just might be then, im not even sure if pistels are speices specific or maybe the numbers can varieate on each plant?
Sorry to hear about the Cappuccino and praetermissums, I wonder what might have caused it :confused:

Nevertheless, if I get ripe fruit I'll be happy to send some seed your way.

lespaulde said:
MF, finally managed to catch up on your excellent glog, and you good sir are off to an awesome season this year with all the new gear, varieties and willpower to take on the inherent challenges. It's been super fun reading all your progress and new approaches and I think the results are already speaking for themselves. You seem to have control over pretty much all the variables, and will be swimming in 'maters in a matter of weeks, that must feel pretty d*rn nice!
Thank you very much for the kind words! Still working on cracking the key to pubescents, you had good sucess with them last year right? I harvest a few tomatoes a day, or my GF does, seems the tomato was the gateway drug for her to enter the hobby, which is nice

I think I'd agree with the humidity concern in terms of Chinenses, as I've also never had any good luck with those plants setting pods when just put on a window sill; they'd just never seem to produce any pollen. Last year, my KS LSB was doing much better inside the tent, which did not have any active exhaust and thus got very humid during the day. Given that you are on LED and have a nice sizeable tent, I'm guessing indeed you might need a bit more heat/humidity for those plants to thrive? Do you have active exhaust going on? Of course it's a tradeoff as the Rocotos don't seem to happy with heat (mine also started complaining some weeks ago, hence why I moved them onto a window sill), so I guess it's a bit of a balancing act one has to do...
Precisely! I thought the same with moving the rocoto outside on my balcany when night temps are a bit higher, hopefully that will kick it up a bit. My humidity sits around 60-65% in the day and that seemed to have worked a bit, stil not a lot of pollen. However im using an electric toothbrush to vibrate the flowers which have made a few flowers into pods so far

That Chocolate ghost looks mean and I guess some caution is advisable when trying to sample that one! For the rest, lot's of really good eating coming your way and you should enjoy. Thanks for all the amazing pictures, really nice with the closeups!

Thanks! Im trying to copy CaneDog's method for photos

CaneDog said:
This seems to be what I'm finding comparing Chinense performance in two tents that are identical, but for an HLG100 in one and T5HO in the other. I've always had great Chinese pod set under the T5's, but in this my first time growing to fruit under the HLG. It seems they're less inclined to set under the HLG. Case in point: I have 2 Murupi plants that sprouted together. I kept one growing under the T5's and moved the other to the HLG tent. The plants flowered at essentially the same time, but the one remaining under the T5's has set fruit, while the other hasn't yet. Notably, I've since moved the T5 Murupi over to the HLG tent and it has stalled on setting pods.

That is very interesting indeed! Perhaps something to do with heat generated? I remember a few years ago before all my crazyness with tents took place, I had a simple window with lots of sun, and my habaneros loved it. 100' of pods each summer, perhaps the T5 have some wavelengths that the HLG dont?

Oh it's on!
Oh boy, what have you done Lespaulde?!

Devv said:
Some great looking pics of some great looking plants!
I think I've said it before, I'm amazed at the work I see happening in all the colder climates.
My weather is on the other end of the spectrum, but seem a lot easier to deal with.
Thanks man, we have to work with what we got, and good reliable weather unfortunately isnt one of them

I have to comment on the aci dolma; I'm thinking BER (blossom end rot). We have the issue here with tomatoes (big time), somehow it doesn't affect peppers.
I've seen some different opinions on the actual cause, some say calcium, other papers get into science way over my head.
What works for me here is a product called calmag. I mix 1 once per gallon and do a foilar application 2 times a week.
Also one can mix Epsom salt and Calcium Nitrate. I use 1 tablespoon of each per gallon and apply the same way as Calmag. Calmag is simpler
I agree, im thinking you're right about BER, And the cause is likely calcium. In my hydroponics book, they mention a lot of times it isnt due to low calcium but rather issues caused by changes in environment or watering. If the plants get poor watering, like dry up and then a huge batch of water, then the calcium uptake wont be applied correcly into the cellwalls. Something along those lines if I remember correctly at least Which I think im guilty of when my drippers had to be cleaned. However if the problem persist I think i'll follow your advice and supplement with some extra calcium.

I'm wondering about the lights, T5 versus LED and the colors of the light. I bought a LED for this years starts and it has two color choices. One for grow and one for bloom. Still testing that baby out
Sounds like a LED with either blue spectrum for growth and red for blooming. Let me know how it works for you I didnt like the colored lights, and went with full spectrum lights instead, much more GF friendly as well

Mildfruit · May 5, 2020

Quick wild update

First open flower for my Tepin Cappuccino

First pod on the galapagoense, looking good!

The Flexuosum never grew much bigger than this, suspecting stunting.

And finally took a picture of a ripe de arbol

Very good taste on these, a bit low on the heat, but else just perfect in tacos and pizza

Devv · May 5, 2020

I agree, im thinking you're right about BER, And the cause is likely calcium. In my hydroponics book, they mention a lot of times it isnt due to low calcium but rather issues caused by changes in environment or watering. If the plants get poor watering, like dry up and then a huge batch of water, then the calcium uptake wont be applied correcly into the cellwalls. Something along those lines if I remember correctly at least Which I think im guilty of when my drippers had to be cleaned. However if the problem persist I think i'll follow your advice and supplement with some extra calcium.

I'm wondering about the lights, T5 versus LED and the colors of the light. I bought a LED for this years starts and it has two color choices. One for grow and one for bloom. Still testing that baby out
Sounds like a LED with either blue spectrum for growth and red for blooming. Let me know how it works for you I didnt like the colored lights, and went with full spectrum lights instead, much more GF friendly as well

Regarding the calcium, Ph is important. That's my issue here, the garden soil is in the low 8's....working on that. Mainly it's the plants ability to uptake the Calcium, in my case. I did try adding it to the watering routine, no luck. Foilar application did the trick.
But this is in my case...A small quantity (1 quart) of Calmag would last a very long time. 1 gallon lasted me 6 years and I put it on a lot of plants. That's 768 gallons of mix @ 1 tsp per gallon. I use 5-6 gallons of mix 2 times a week. That's this year, we went big this year. A spray bottle would suffice in applying it in your grow.

My LED can run both colors at the same time. A switch exists for one or the other or both. I bought it because of the coverage, and built a small 4x4' room in the shop, with a vent fan. I was able to put more than twice the amount of plants in that little box, versus the gorilla shelves..so far I have just used the blue color.

Mildfruit · May 9, 2020

Devv said:
Regarding the calcium, Ph is important. That's my issue here, the garden soil is in the low 8's....working on that. Mainly it's the plants ability to uptake the Calcium, in my case. I did try adding it to the watering routine, no luck. Foilar application did the trick.
But this is in my case...A small quantity (1 quart) of Calmag would last a very long time. 1 gallon lasted me 6 years and I put it on a lot of plants. That's 768 gallons of mix @ 1 tsp per gallon. I use 5-6 gallons of mix 2 times a week. That's this year, we went big this year. A spray bottle would suffice in applying it in your grow.

My LED can run both colors at the same time. A switch exists for one or the other or both. I bought it because of the coverage, and built a small 4x4' room in the shop, with a vent fan. I was able to put more than twice the amount of plants in that little box, versus the gorilla shelves..so far I have just used the blue color.

Thats very true, and you might be right. I haven't actually tested the pH in a long while as it have sort of worked out without. So far the other pods so no sign of end rot, but if the problem persist I should measure the pH indeed!