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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 :cheers:)

 
Parting Shot

 
 
capsidadburn said:
Impressive list Matt!  Looks like space will be filled up quick for you too!
 
Best of luck!
 
Mike
 
You have no idea Mike! I am already in over my head! I keep getting more and more crazy crosses and new varieties that I MUST grow, and my space is just getting smaller and smaller..
 
Capsicum Select said:
I find it is better to be busy like that but you're right it goes get draining. Right now at work we are directed to not work over our 40hrs due to the budget issues but still expected to work the 50 or so hours and growing it takes to get all the work done. Its alright for a little while but definitely draining and frustrating. 
 
I'll have to get some brews going to send in return for a couple boxes! I won't have any crazy crosses this year but there is one I would like to make next year if by BG7 seeds sprout and are true. May be a few years for it to come out how I want though haha. 
Yea, being busy makes the time go by much faster. I am a morning person so I usually get into work by 645 or 7, and can usually go strong until about 11 before i get crazy and need to go for a run or something. In the afternoon I can still get things done, but it is never as good as what I get done in the morning. This is the year of the cross, so good look on your grow!
 
Devv said:
I got them at http://www.fullbloomhydroponics.net and whenever you get them they will be stuck together, most were in groups of 4, don't know if this happened in shipped or they think it's funny...LOL
 
I filled the sink halfway with warm soapy water and used a Snapon pry-bar with a 3/4" wide blade and worked them around twisting the pry-bar, they came right apart and no damage.
 
Desk work IS definitely more boring tiring than physical work, gotta find a reason to get up and do something :shh:
Cool, Ill take a look. I found about 120 3.5x3.5x5 pots in the garage that I didnt use, so I may use those and try and keep them in smaller pots until plant out. I just dont think I will have room for 2 or 300 1 gallon pots. We shall see.  I also had some flats, 1020 trays, and humidity domes but tossed them for new ones. I could have washed them, but 3 seasons is enough to swap out.
 
PaulG said:
I remember those days, Matt, and it's true that those years pass
too quickly, so you take every moment, brother!  Pretty soon your son
will be tuning up your truck!
Yea Paul, he is growin up too friggen fast! It is amazing, each day is totally different than the last.
 
Sanarda said:
Great list Matt.  Starting earlier this season seems to be the consensus. :dance:
Yup, I think everyone wants to have a nice healthy start come plant out.  Gonna be a great year!
 
stickman said:
Hi Matt,
   How are the OW plants doing... any chance of pics?
lol....funny story...So I had 4 pretty healthy plants that I was just..letting live. I really didnt chop em back or anything, but they were still puttin out pods and living. So I put them in the garage and left them alone for a few days, let them out in the driveway for a few hours when I remembered, and then back in the garage. So one of those 'out in the drive way' days, I guess I had one too many single malts and left them out overnight. DEAD. D.E.A.D....Oops. lol! Its all good though, I dont think I could keep up with it over the winter.
 
So I am pretty much ready for planting. I just got my flats in, and they look pretty badass. The cells are pretty deep, and a good size. I plan on planting 2 seeds per cell, and culling to 1 when the first puts out true leaves.


 
I got the second light up, and it looks great.

 
And like I mentioned above, I found about 120 big pots that can come in handy when I go to pot up. I am still considering using a go-between, like a 2x2x3 or a 3x3x3, but I think it is depend on how long I can keep them in the 72 cell flat.
 
I also got an AMAZING pkg from a buddy today. I now have another 7 or 8 crosses, to include a borg 9 (nagalah X 7 BBG), a 7 Brown X 7 Primo, TS Evergreen, and another one that I am gonna keep to myself, but ill give you a hint...it is destroying people and next to impossible to get. So, I am gonna do some thinking over the holiday break and see about what I wanna change on the grow list. So much to consider!
 
Well, back to boozin and Top Chef!
 
Oh well... not everyone has that kind of insanity that wants to carry last year's plants through the winter into another year. ;)
 
This year's prep looks good, and I hear ya 'bout rapidly running out of even potential space. Lol!   Good luck with your 2014 grow. Hope you and your family have a Happy Holiday with much joy and health in the new year. Cheers!
 
Those cells look awesome! And the tent is looking good too. 
This really is the year of the crosses. Excited to see how a lot of those come out.
 
Do you have any info on the daisycutters? I was wondering what they look like and actually are.
 
PaulG said:
Nice grow shelf, Matt!  Should work great for you.
I like the depth of those cells in your flats, too.
Thanks Paul. I cant wait to get some seeds in dirt. It is killin me waiting for this trip down south.
 
capsidadburn said:
Awesome grow tent Matt!  More seeds too!
Thanks Mike, I wish I could say I was done, but I am waiting for another 2 pkgs...definitely in the middle of some rearranging with the grow list.
 
stickman said:
Oh well... not everyone has that kind of insanity that wants to carry last year's plants through the winter into another year. ;)
 
This year's prep looks good, and I hear ya 'bout rapidly running out of even potential space. Lol!   Good luck with your 2014 grow. Hope you and your family have a Happy Holiday with much joy and health in the new year. Cheers!
Yea, it was just a bit much for me...Happy Holidays to you as well!
 
Devv said:
Nice setup Matt!
 
The tent and those trays should hold a ton of plants, I'll bet you fill it up pretty quick!
 
Good luck this year and enjoy the family during the coming holidays!
Thanks Scott, i am hoping things hold up well for me. Happy Holidays!
 
sicman said:
may i suggest that you only put one seed in each cell.  you will be able to let the plant get 6 inches if you want in those cells allowing you to go directly in your larger pot up.
Yea, I am planning to cull each cell to one after the true leaves pop up. I am only planting 4 seeds per variety, so I wanted to up the chances of getting some baby plants. 6 inches huh? That would actually work out great for me.
 
maximumcapsicum said:
Very cool flats. Where did you get them? Tent looks great too! It'll be fun to watch it fill up!
I got them from http://www.novoselenterprises.com/products/star-plug-trays.asp quick shipping, and decent price. I just googled it and they were the first to pop up.
 
Pr0digal_son said:
Good luck Matt. I will be checking in when I get time.
Thanks John, it should be a fun year.
 
Capsicum Select said:
Those cells look awesome! And the tent is looking good too. 
This really is the year of the crosses. Excited to see how a lot of those come out.
 
Do you have any info on the daisycutters? I was wondering what they look like and actually are.
Thanks Arik, yea I am pretty damn stoked. From what I know, they are a variety created by Matt Arthur (you can find him on FB).

 
I also started to cut down the grow list. I am sitting right below 100 now, which is good. I added some of the crosses that I got from Steven, the 7 Pot lava Red, and a few others. I am expecting some stuff from John Ford and Chad S, and after that I should be done. PLEASE...be done..Then I can plant. :)
 
On another note, I decided to pick up golf. Jess thinks i am bat shit crazy and I have absolutely no time. I havent got clubs yet (waiting for after the holidays), but I figured its time I pick it up. One of those lifelong things.
 
Those daisycutters are cool looking! They're looking like they are showing some scotch bonnet heritage so they should be super tasty.
 
That is crazy that you are right around 100 for the grow. You will need to open up a business!
 
That's cool that you decided to pick up golf. It's good to have on active sport like that to play. Personally I never got into it but I can see how it would be relaxing to play a course and kick back a few brews!
 
  Everything is looking awesome Matt. Do you mind if I ask where you got the tent and how much it was? I have a building I'd love to use, but it has little to no insulation. I assume that tent doesn't have any either, but it would be easier to insulate it inside the building, rather than the whole building. I'm thinking about starting some seeds myself. Just trying to figure out how to get it past the wife. I told her I wasn't going to start until after Christmas. 
 
Tim
 
MGOLD86 said:
 
On another note, I decided to pick up golf. Jess thinks i am bat shit crazy and I have absolutely no time. I havent got clubs yet (waiting for after the holidays), but I figured its time I pick it up. One of those lifelong things.
 
Man, I thought you were going to say that you just read Carlos Hathcock's book and were going to take up Competitive Marksmanship :(
 
MGOLD86 said:
Thanks Paul. I cant wait to get some seeds in dirt. It is killin me waiting for this trip down south.
 

Thanks Mike, I wish I could say I was done, but I am waiting for another 2 pkgs...definitely in the middle of some rearranging with the grow list.
 

Yea, it was just a bit much for me...Happy Holidays to you as well!
 

Thanks Scott, i am hoping things hold up well for me. Happy Holidays!
 This is the Daisy Cutter's that I grew this past season..
IMG_20130923_234835.jpg


Yea, I am planning to cull each cell to one after the true leaves pop up. I am only planting 4 seeds per variety, so I wanted to up the chances of getting some baby plants. 6 inches huh? That would actually work out great for me.
 

I got them from http://www.novoselenterprises.com/products/star-plug-trays.asp quick shipping, and decent price. I just googled it and they were the first to pop up.
 

Thanks John, it should be a fun year.
 

Thanks Arik, yea I am pretty damn stoked. From what I know, they are a variety created by Matt Arthur (you can find him on FB).

 
I also started to cut down the grow list. I am sitting right below 100 now, which is good. I added some of the crosses that I got from Steven, the 7 Pot lava Red, and a few others. I am expecting some stuff from John Ford and Chad S, and after that I should be done. PLEASE...be done..Then I can plant. :)
 
On another note, I decided to pick up golf. Jess thinks i am bat shit crazy and I have absolutely no time. I havent got clubs yet (waiting for after the holidays), but I figured its time I pick it up. One of those lifelong things.
 
Wow...killer list! I have heard great things about those starter trays. Interested to hear your thoughts this season! 100+ plants??? You're freakin nuts!!! Great start, can't wait to watch this unfold!!!
 
Congrats on getting your grow down to 100 plants, Matt   :rofl:
 
Hey.  Merry Christmas to you and your family!
 
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