PaulG 2014

PaulG · Nov 19, 2014

RocketMan said:
Man 37" that thing is going to be a monster if it ever gets outside and into the ground! Looks nice and happy in the greenhouse though

Right on, Bill! It's got at least 5 months in the greenhouse to survive
before that can happen

The greenhouse seems to suit it, though.
We'll see how it goes in the short days of December and January/February.

Devv · Nov 19, 2014

I have faith in you Paul, that plant will thrive I'm sure.

romy6 · Nov 20, 2014

Love that rhombodium Paul. Has top be the purdiest plant in the pepper world IMHO .

Another stellar year from the master NW grower .

Thanks for letting us tag along !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dance:

PaulG · Nov 21, 2014

Devv said:
I have faith in you Paul, that plant will thrive I'm sure.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Scott!

romy6 said:
Love that rhombodium Paul. Has top be the purdiest plant in the pepper world IMHO .
It has grown another 2 1/2 inches since I posted that pic! I can't believe it. I am getting a
little concerned it might not fit in the greenhouse
Another stellar year from the master NW grower .

Thanks for letting us tag along !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The pleasure was all mine, brother!
Thanks for putting up with the fits ands starts!

I looked up some pics of the rhomboidium on line.
It has gorgeous foliage, all right.

I'm not sure about the master part, my friend, but mother nature
was good to us here this year, for sure!

Thanks for hanging on as the season lurched forward, Jamie!
Your grow just seems to keep going forward now that you have
the aerogarden cranking 'em out!

stickman · Nov 21, 2014

Hi Paul, glad to see your growing season had a big finish this year, and good on ya for getting an early start on the next! :dance:

Our electric rates are going up 29% this winter, so I'm going to have to get my superhot plants from elsewhere as the more affordable option. I gave my Chinense seeds to a young man (who has a contract garden he runs with his mother) with the understanding that he'd give me some of the plants he starts with them. I'll probably buy any other varieties I want from local nurseries or from Cross Country Nursery in New Jersey.

Devv · Nov 21, 2014

stickman said:
Hi Paul, glad to see your growing season had a big finish this year, and good on ya for getting an early start on the next!

Our electric rates are going up 29% this winter, so I'm going to have to get my superhot plants from elsewhere as the more affordable option. I gave my Chinense seeds to a young man (who has a contract garden he runs with his mother) with the understanding that he'd give me some of the plants he starts with them. I'll probably buy any other varieties I want from local nurseries or from Cross Country Nursery in New Jersey.

OMG! 29%? That's insane! And the justification is?

stickman · Nov 21, 2014

Devv said:
OMG! 29%? That's insane! And the justification is?

They claim it's due to increased fuel prices and higher demand, but I think that's just a smoke screen... I don't think it's a coincidence that the state levied $5m in fines on Western Mass. Electric and National Grid for their fumbling repairs during the heavy snow we had last winter and then a few days later announcing that the state regulatory agency had OK'd the rate hike. I think they're just passing the cost of the fines on to the consumers.

Devv · Nov 21, 2014

stickman said:
They claim it's due to increased fuel prices and higher demand, but I think that's just a smoke screen... I don't think it's a coincidence that the state levied $5m in fines on Western Mass. Electric and National Grid for their fumbling repairs during the heavy snow we had last winter and then a few days later announcing that the state regulatory agency had OK'd the rate hike. I think they're just passing the cost of the fines on to the consumers.

I'm so sorry Rick!

Penny · Nov 21, 2014

Got your pm, and messaged you back Paul

PaulG · Nov 22, 2014

Got it. Thanks, Penny

@Rick. I thought fuel prices were dropping? Sorry to hear you and your
neighbors are getting jacked around on that deal, buddy.

Started some Aji seeds on 11/15. Got these on 11/20. These seeds were paper towel dried:

There are a couple more hooks peeking up this evening. Should be cotys tomorrow. I guess that means the start of the 2015 season!

PaulS · Nov 22, 2014

PaulG said:
There are a couple more hooks peeking up this evening. Should be cotys tomorrow. I guess that means the start of the 2015 season!

Is it that time already!?

stickman · Nov 22, 2014

Good on ya buddy... I can see 2015 is gonna be a serious production year for you! :dance:

PaulG · Nov 22, 2014

PaulS said:
Is it that time already!?

I know, seems unreal; like the treadmill just keeps going!

stickman said:
Good on ya buddy... I can see 2015 is gonna be a serious production year for you!

A little early for counting chickens, but it is a good start. I plan on at least three
Aji Amarillo plants next season. It's become one of my favorites.

Devv · Nov 22, 2014

It just never stops

I would be doing the same if I didn't have Christmas travel plans, but they will go in the trays before I leave.

PaulS · Nov 23, 2014

PaulG said:
I know, seems unreal; like the treadmill just keeps going!

Devv said:
It just never stops

I would be doing the same if I didn't have Christmas travel plans, but they will go in the trays before I leave.

True. I'm excited for this season, it seems you learn something new each year, this year I've learnt loads and can't wait to get started!

PaulG · Nov 24, 2014

@ Devv and PaulS: You guys are wearin' me out :rofl:

My impromptu germ-off between the air-dried seeds and the dehydrator 105˚F dried seeds
turned out to be a stand-off. The dehydrator dried seeds had at least as good a germ rate
as the air-dried seeds, and less helmet heads. That's a relief. I thought I might have
screwed the pooch by drying pods for seeds at 105˚.

P.S. Will post update pics of the aji amarillo and manzano seedlings in a couple of days.

P.P.S. The c. rhomboidium in the greenhouse is now 43" tall. That's an inch a day growth
over the past six days! It shows no sign of slowing down.

bpwilly · Nov 25, 2014

Paul,

Great to hear about the Germ-off results. Do you have any idea what the magic temp number might be when there starts to be a difference? I dialed my dehydrator in at 104 deg this year and while it does take longer for things to dry, I did notice better color retention with the peppers. Just wondering how fast I could actually dry the seeds before I start causing problems for them.

Great to read about your results!

PaulG · Nov 25, 2014

bpwilly said:
Paul,

Great to hear about the Germ-off results. Do you have any idea what the magic temp number might be when there starts to be a difference? I dialed my dehydrator in at 104 deg this year and while it does take longer for things to dry, I did notice better color retention with the peppers. Just wondering how fast I could actually dry the seeds before I start causing problems for them.

Great to read about your results!

I have a feeling that 105˚ might be pushing the limit, but that's just a guess. I've never
read of anyone using higher temps than that with success. It may be variety-dependent,
as well. Maybe the Ajis are more tolerant, I don't know. How's that for nebulous? We'll
find out in January when I start germinating the chinenses.

My guess is that your seeds from the dehydrator are good to go.

I agree that the color retention is better; the powders I get from the 105˚-dried pods almost
shine with color, especially some of the yellows.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, my friend!

bpwilly · Nov 25, 2014

Paul,

Best thing about this pepper growing hobby is that there are more mysteries than facts. Makes it fun to try different approaches. Thanks for the notes, nebulous is about as close as we can get sometimes in this game!

Have a great holiday and fingers crossed for the Seahawks!

Bill

PaulG · Nov 25, 2014

bpwilly said:
Paul,

Best thing about this pepper growing hobby is that there are more mysteries than facts. Makes it fun to try different approaches. Thanks for the notes, nebulous is about as close as we can get sometimes in this game!

Have a great holiday and fingers crossed for the Seahawks!

Bill

Thanks, bro. Go 'hawks!