I've grown run of the mill habs before, japs on a yearly basis, even had a successful ghost pepper last year. This summer I am making a slightly more serious attempt at growing some super hots. Not having the room in a good growing spot...I decided to go a little more vertical since it was really the only spot I had, but not enough room for all the plants. And, with nowhere to plant, I'm in pots this year which is another first. So using my trusty AeroGarden, I started a bunch of seeds that were graciously provided to me from a member here. What I ended up with was Scorpions, Yellow Butch T's, Chocolate Habanero, Black Habanero, and Carolina Reapers. I didn't take any pictures of the seedlings.
Anyways, to the vertical rack I built last week...I went with three shelves and built it on a slant similar to a staircase. Turned out pretty good IMO considering I'm a measure it 5 times and still get it wrong kinda guy.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2Fpepper%2520rack_zps1zfrqcom.jpg&hash=66d6d001d866312be913d1e4ae3fa8b9)
So now it's off to the races. Got the plants in place getting lots of sun (and rain since it doesn't seem to stop the past few weeks). Decided to try topping after watching some videos. Started a thread and got some mixed opinions. Ended up trimming rather than topping. I was a little hesitant at first but once I started trimming it was ok. Then I was worried maybe I shouldn't have...maybe I did more harm than good. So far, a few days later, the plants are still kicking and the undergrowth that was exposed is really taking off.
Before:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015_zpsmivpd8wm.jpg&hash=5a55ebddc3cc66fd18afdc0c36cb350b)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015%25204_zpsep57kkia.jpg&hash=75ed4550833b4b7b5864e61238aa3d98)
After:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015%2520pruned_zpsa76y2l6f.jpg&hash=9171b0de182aeca26a5608e5a420048e)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015%2520pruned%25201_zpsv0rp95f7.jpg&hash=baba5bd7ad16eef4fa85b0fb58d95e1a)
I'll get pics up tomorrow of the new growth that's taking place already.
Anyways, to the vertical rack I built last week...I went with three shelves and built it on a slant similar to a staircase. Turned out pretty good IMO considering I'm a measure it 5 times and still get it wrong kinda guy.
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2Fpepper%2520rack_zps1zfrqcom.jpg&hash=66d6d001d866312be913d1e4ae3fa8b9)
So now it's off to the races. Got the plants in place getting lots of sun (and rain since it doesn't seem to stop the past few weeks). Decided to try topping after watching some videos. Started a thread and got some mixed opinions. Ended up trimming rather than topping. I was a little hesitant at first but once I started trimming it was ok. Then I was worried maybe I shouldn't have...maybe I did more harm than good. So far, a few days later, the plants are still kicking and the undergrowth that was exposed is really taking off.
Before:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015_zpsmivpd8wm.jpg&hash=5a55ebddc3cc66fd18afdc0c36cb350b)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015%25204_zpsep57kkia.jpg&hash=75ed4550833b4b7b5864e61238aa3d98)
After:
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015%2520pruned_zpsa76y2l6f.jpg&hash=9171b0de182aeca26a5608e5a420048e)
![](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi91.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk289%2Fcashton12%2FGardening%2520stuff%2FHot%2520Peppers%25202015%2520pruned%25201_zpsv0rp95f7.jpg&hash=baba5bd7ad16eef4fa85b0fb58d95e1a)
I'll get pics up tomorrow of the new growth that's taking place already.