Operation Golden Garden 2014: Let's Get Started!

**Instead of starting an entirely new GLOG, I decided to tack 2014 on to the end of this one. So if you have already went through 2013's grow, just jump ahead to page 40.**
 
Before you go on, I would recommend you grab a beer or something else stiff to drink.  If you didnt follow my grow last time around, I have the tendency to go on, and on, and on, and on.  Also, I may not be the most "PC" out of the group, so if you are looking for clean language, on topic discussion, and general 'niceness', I am sure that I can point you in the right direction.
 
Ok, now that we got that out of the way....I AM STARTING A FREAKIN GROW LOG!  A quick bit of back story. Since I spent more time in high school partying than studying, I didn't have much of a choice following graduation. I decided to enlist in the Marines (there really isnt another choice) and now here I am 8 years and 5 deployments later.  This last go around I left the first few days of September and just got back yesterday (9 months for all the other 'non studying' folk).  As most of you know, if you want some bangin pepper plants, you need to start early, and May 25th aint early.  So right before I left I cut everything back and prayed to the pepper gods that my plants would make it through winter so I could have something to come home to.  Up until yesterday I thought that they were just taking time to put on some green, but when I walked through the fence to see my dogs, a ritual that I typically do after every deployment, I realized that the plants were not there and instead was four trays of new plants just waiting for planting.
 
Note:  IPhones are not the world's leading video recording devices.  And as a result, I may not be easily heard.  Dont worry, I didn't have much to say initially anyways, I was just a bit more surprised than anything.
 

 
For someone who seems to always talk a bit too much, I didnt have much to say initially.  I was freaking out inside and didnt know if my wife got them or what.  When she told me that the guys from THP did it, i was blown away.  You gotta understand, over the past 9 months Bill (RocketMan) organized a "Operation Hot Sauce" care package rotation for me and my guys.  A bunch of members here chipped in and sent packages of sauces, powders, peppers, and other treats to help make this deployment a bit more enjoyable.  To hear that they ALSO chipped in and GAVE ME A GROWING SEASON pretty much put me over the edge.  I know that I already messaged you guys but I wanna thank RocketMan, Coheed196, Romy6, KingDenniz, Silver_Surfer, STC3248, DesertChris, Sanarda, MuskyMojo, Pulpeteer, WalkGood, DocNRock. Stickman, Annie57, Pic 1, Pr0digal_Son, Jamison, Spicy Chicken, HighHalt, Fremp, SethSquach, 3/5 King, Patrick, Bigoldude again for helping make this happen for me.  And although giving me a garden was WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH, they also gave me a little sumpin sumpin that will help out picking up the last minute things that I need to make sure I have everything I need for the season!
 
So this morning, I got up early because I am still on Afghanistan time, cooked breakfast, and then after the family ate we went out to the garden to plant everything. 
 

 
 
The Peppers:
7 Pot
7 Pot Douglah
7 Pot Yellow
Aji Colorado
Bhut Jolokia
Bhut Jolokia Assam
Bhut Jolokia Yellow
Bonda ma Jaques
Cobra
Congo Trinidad
Fatalii
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Lemon Drop
Marconi Giant Hybrid
TSMB 
TSMB Yellow
Naga Morich
Safi Red
Trinidad Scorpion
West Indian Red
 
Maters:
Black Krim
Black Pear
 
Oh, and did I tell you that THERE ARE 3 EACH?!?
 
Gettin to work tilling the rows a bit


 
The wife givin me a hand

 
The kiddo givin me a hand

 
Rows Complete

 
And Peppers in the ground!

 
Some goodies from Bill, Jeff and Bonnie (Bill also has goodies in the fridge )

 
Parting Shot

 

 

[stickman]

Nice pod porn Matt! I think the purple on the Aji's might be protection from sunburn. My Omnicolors do the same thing, but the pods are an ivory color at that stage so the purple looks lighter. It looks like either your 7 Pot is doing the same thing, or you've got pods on the one pictured starting to color up. Cheers!

 

[AMG4heat]

Thank ya sir!
 
Does anyone else's Lemon Drop/Aji pods turn purple like this??


]

Yup. Mine tend to do this too just before they go yellow.

 

[Devv]

Very nice Matt!
 
Outa likes for now, still trying to catch up from my vacation break.
 
Those newbies are looking stellar as the rest in the dirt are!

 

[Terravexti]

Lemon drops "tan" easily. They sure taste good are great for makin jelly.

 

[MGOLD86]

Nice pod porn Matt! I think the purple on the Aji's might be protection from sunburn. My Omnicolors do the same thing, but the pods are an ivory color at that stage so the purple looks lighter. It looks like either your 7 Pot is doing the same thing, or you've got pods on the one pictured starting to color up. Cheers!

Thanks Rick, I just love going out there and seeing what new things I can find.  It is also fun loading the photos and THEN catching something new!  I agree, it is probably protection from the sun, thanks!
 

Yup. Mine tend to do this too just before they go yellow.

Cool, hopefully we see some color sooner or later!
 

Very nice Matt!
 
Outa likes for now, still trying to catch up from my vacation break.
 
Those newbies are looking stellar as the rest in the dirt are!

lol, its all good!   Thanks for stoppin in!
 

Lemon drops "tan" easily. They sure taste good are great for makin jelly.

Thanks for the info!  Jelly huh...may have to give that a try!
So if you haven't been following the MoA Scotch Bonnet Grows, this dude, Steve, has acquired seeds from Jamaica's Ministry of Agriculture.  These bonnets grow out beautifully, and he isolates and grades them on a scale of like A to D or F?? Anyways, he harvested a bunch of seeds, and posted that he had enough to go around.  I sent my SASBE and he sent back WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH!  So, the next 3 posters that DO NOT already have MoA seeds growing, Plants in the ground, or seeds for next year will get some for a SASBE.  Heading to work in a few, so ill check back in a little later.  Good Luck!

 

[adamk2212]

Love to have those authentic Scotch Bonnet seeds. They're on my list for next year's grow. Understand if they're already spoken for though. 
 
Let me know.

 

[RocketMan]

Getting ready to do a little AACT work myself tonight. Did you use a premix or put one together of your own? 
 
Plants are looking good and the babies are really coming along nicely. After that little sip of tea they're going to be jumping out of those pots.
 

 

[Seacowboy]

I'm in for a few. Keep the line going.

 

[BrooklynXpat]

 
 
All 3 of my Assams are putting out tons of pods.  Can't wait for a few to start turning!

 
A bit of a more elongated TSMB Yellow
 
 
Bhut Jolokia Yellow

 
 
 
 
This 7 Yellow is looking great, if it continues to put out pods like this I would not be disappointed!

 
 

Those things are looking amazing - i am very jealous! That video was also very cool - thanks

 

[MGOLD86]

Adam and Seacowboy shoot me a PM and Ill give you my addy. 
 
 

Getting ready to do a little AACT work myself tonight. Did you use a premix or put one together of your own? 
 
Plants are looking good and the babies are really coming along nicely. After that little sip of tea they're going to be jumping out of those pots.
 

 
Thanks Bill, i've already got your addy.  The AACT was a pre-mix I got from Keep it Simple organics.  I like it, but after the next one (I have another mix) I will make my own.  I have all the nutrients needed after my trip to Raliegh, so I would like to have a bit more control in the future. 
 

Those things are looking amazing - i am very jealous! That video was also very cool - thanks

 
Thanks man, once I start to pull in some harvests I will shoot some pods over to you so you can pull seeds.  I am really loving the Bhut Assams, they are probably on my 'must grow' list if for nothing else but production.  My plant last year was just like this, even had the same growth habits. 

 

[BrooklynXpat]

Thanks man, once I start to pull in some harvests I will shoot some pods over to you so you can pull seeds.  I am really loving the Bhut Assams, they are probably on my 'must grow' list if for nothing else but production.  My plant last year was just like this, even had the same growth habits. 

 
Thanks (ill do same in return, hopefully ill try to do some crosses this season). Those assams seriously look so prolific from that one shot alone - i cant believe it produces that much. 
 
I cant get enough of how well compost tea works - even my wife is finally getting on that boat

 

[Fremp]

After reading about "cooking" your dirt for 30 days,and now watching this video. I'm thinking this might be a great idea for next year. When I first read it I thought.. damn that sounds right ,makes sense!
I'm using a similar mix after trying 3 different mix types. I think the one that worked best, (extra goodies I missed,or didn't have the budget). Will make the dirt even mo'betta if left to "cook". One Of my mixes was very compost,mulch heavy. The first 30 days'ish stunned the growth,and even killed some. Then around the 30 day mark..I'm talking day 30-37..you couldn't tell me which ones were the ugly ones,and which ones were the healthy ones. You might have even picked the "healthy" ones,as a couple of the ones that lagged for 30 days,were in fact bigger! In one week the leaves on one plant were the size of my hand.Previous week,leaves were small,distorted,and yellow. Crazy to watch, hopefully even better at the end of the season!
 
Can't wait to check out your results!

 

[stc3248]

Sweet! Spreading that MoA love! I just got some Grade A's from Ramon. So tempting to start some...ughhhh, I think I might get a pull or two...ummmm. Hahaha. They'll wait for next season I suppose!
 
You're a pretty good dude Matt!

 

[MGOLD86]

Thanks (ill do same in return, hopefully ill try to do some crosses this season). Those assams seriously look so prolific from that one shot alone - i cant believe it produces that much. 
 
I cant get enough of how well compost tea works - even my wife is finally getting on that boat

I am a fan of AACT, it always makes my plants feel much better. 
 

After reading about "cooking" your dirt for 30 days,and now watching this video. I'm thinking this might be a great idea for next year. When I first read it I thought.. damn that sounds right ,makes sense!
I'm using a similar mix after trying 3 different mix types. I think the one that worked best, (extra goodies I missed,or didn't have the budget). Will make the dirt even mo'betta if left to "cook". One Of my mixes was very compost,mulch heavy. The first 30 days'ish stunned the growth,and even killed some. Then around the 30 day mark..I'm talking day 30-37..you couldn't tell me which ones were the ugly ones,and which ones were the healthy ones. You might have even picked the "healthy" ones,as a couple of the ones that lagged for 30 days,were in fact bigger! In one week the leaves on one plant were the size of my hand.Previous week,leaves were small,distorted,and yellow. Crazy to watch, hopefully even better at the end of the season!
 
Can't wait to check out your results!

Yea, I was skeptical at first and I didn't want to let the mix cook but decided to do it.  I did go 1/10 of the recipe (scaled for my grow) and I will not be filling the pots to 50%, just 1/3.  I just want to dip my toe in the water and see how it fares for me.  I am sure that works great for pot, and if it ends up be a significant difference than my normal methods it may be a go-to mix. 
 

Sweet! Spreading that MoA love! I just got some Grade A's from Ramon. So tempting to start some...ughhhh, I think I might get a pull or two...ummmm. Hahaha. They'll wait for next season I suppose!
 
You're a pretty good dude Matt!

Yup yup, Steve sent me WAAAAAY more than 20 seeds.  He wants to spread the strain and I totally agree.  Glad to have ya back in!

 

[HillBilly Jeff]

Plants and pods are looking great!!!

 

[MGOLD86]

Plants and pods are looking great!!!

Thanks Jeff!

 

[DocNrock]

Your pods are looking great, Matt!  Don't worry about that purpling.  A lot of my sun-exposed pods do that when they're green. 

 

[peppernovice]

   Man, you really can't afford to miss a day when it comes to this glog. I got lazy for a day or two and missed two give-aways, Matt going all mad scientist, and then Matt channeling his inner Professor. I don't see how you have the time. Will you be able to keep this up when you go back to full duty? Your grow gets more impressive everyday. I love watching your videos because I don't feel so bad about getting all Ga Ga about my plants. Sometimes I think the wife thinks I'm nuts. At least with you guys I know I'm not alone. Keeps those updates coming!
 
Tim

 

[MGOLD86]

Your pods are looking great, Matt!  Don't worry about that purpling.  A lot of my sun-exposed pods do that when they're green. 

Thanks Doc.  Now I just need em to start turnin.....and it looks like I got one starting!
 

   Man, you really can't afford to miss a day when it comes to this glog. I got lazy for a day or two and missed two give-aways, Matt going all mad scientist, and then Matt channeling his inner Professor. I don't see how you have the time. Will you be able to keep this up when you go back to full duty? Your grow gets more impressive everyday. I love watching your videos because I don't feel so bad about getting all Ga Ga about my plants. Sometimes I think the wife thinks I'm nuts. At least with you guys I know I'm not alone. Keeps those updates coming!
 
Tim

 
I know how you feel Tim, if I miss a day on the forum I am screwed.  I have even had days where I don't even get to mine because I spend so much time on everyone else's! I went back to work a few days ago, and I should still have time for here.  I think the site is actually available at work, and I may find some time to check in there as well.  The powers at be are moving me again, this time I will be taking an instructor position for new guys coming into the command.  There may be some longer hours and Saturdays involved, but I should still find time for my 2nd home!  Send me a SASE/SASBE and ill shoot you some MoA seeds.  PM me for my addy. 
 
I needed to put down some weed cloth so I can put my late starts on something and not worry about mowing and stuff.  So I picked up a 3x50' roll for about 12 bucks and after I laid the first row at 15', my wife was like "are you gonna do all the other rows???"  I was like....maybe.  So I laid another row and then went to Lowes to pick up another 150'.  I got almost everything done today and stopped about a row and a half short to cook dinner.  Last season I just did this in the walking rows, but this time I decided to cover everything and just notch out the plants.  I really freaking hate weeding and hope this will help me with it. 
 
My measuring was kinda off, so there is a strip that I have to close up, but other than that it covers the whole ground.



 
And I got a bit of color on my Naga Morich!

 
Great looking Scorpion.  Really excited about these!

 
That's all for now, here's to another great grow week!

 

[stickman]

Nice work with the landscaping fabric Matt! That'll save you a lot of effort. If you find that the black fabric heats the soil too much and the flowers stop sticking... you can put a layer of shredded white paper on top of it, and the white mulch will reflect rather than absorb  the sunlight, and cool the soil. This is a trick that folks who grow Brassicas in midsummer use. Now that I think of it... I wonder how it would work for you if you grow Manzanos or Rocotos?
 
Good job getting some color on your Chinense varieties... I think I have at least another 4 weeks before that happens here this year. Cheers!