Sawyer's 2013 Glog - Last Harvest/First Sauce

WalkGood · Mar 15, 2013

Sawyer have you caught the rat yet or critter? Hope so … sounds frustrating :/ ... I just finished reading up and love your motto from post #79: “I Will Not Be Defeated,” that might make a nice glog name update

Sawyer · Mar 15, 2013

stc3248 said:
You're right with pots...bigger is better, but I grew almost all my plants last year in 5# with good success even with my Yellow 7 Pots. I have a few more plants I want to put into bigger containers this season, but most of the rest will go into 5# nursery pots. 5 gallon buckets hold more than 1.5 times what the "5 gallon" nursery containers do. I also picked up some 18 gallon round totes for a few select plants. They were about $6 each and I hope they grow some freaking monsters! The problem with them is they use almost an entire 64 qt bag of soil to fill...good luck with your choice.

You should be able to grow a sequoia (shortest word with all 5 standard vowels? "aerious" has them in order, but I'm not sure that's a word.) in those 18 gallons totes. The cost of the mix to fill such a large container will keep me from going that route. Last year's price for 5 trade gallon blow-molded pots from BWI was less than a dollar apiece and $1.67 each for the 7 trade gallon pots. The Viagrow 5 gallon grow bags run from 35¢ to 50¢ depending on where and how many. I think I'll try some of each to see what works best for me.

PjPEPPERS said:
There's nothing wrong with having more seeds..it's the having more space for the plants that's the problem. lol Are you going to try a different germination method for the yellow bhuts this time? May be a few different methods to spread the risk so to speak. Good luck with em anyway mate

So far, space won't be a problem. I've got 5000 sq. ft. under cultivation and could till up another 5000, though it wouldn't be as good quality soil. I could find twice that space for plants in pots, but I hope it doesn't come to that. Time is the bigger problem. I hope to grow "regular" food, too, and then there's that matter of making a living. I may try something different with the yellow bhuts, but I think the main problem before was old seed that hadn't been stored properly. Maybe some in cups and some direct sow would be a good idea, though.

WalkGood said:
Sawyer have you caught the rat yet or critter? Hope so … sounds frustrating :/ ... I just finished reading up and love your motto from post #79: “I Will Not Be Defeated,” that might make a nice glog name update

Not yet. I did almost catch myself in the rat trap while ago when I was moving the OWs outside. Startled the crap out of me.

WalkGood · Mar 15, 2013

Sawyer said:
... ... I did almost catch myself in the rat trap while ago when I was moving the OWs outside. Startled the crap out of me.

Not sure what type you are using but I've found that the littlest ones work best for me but you have to attach a leash so the rat doesn't run away as the little one's don't kill them. I started using the small ones because the larger one's were constantly being set off and I'd miss the rat :/ BTW peanut butter is what I use as it stays on the trigger best like paste.

DesertChris · Mar 15, 2013

WalkGood said:
Not sure what type you are using but I've found that the littlest ones work best for me but you have to attach a leash so the rat doesn't run away as the little one's don't kill them. I started using the small ones because the larger one's were constantly being set off and I'd miss the rat :/ BTW peanut butter is what I use as it stays on the trigger best like paste.

Yep, peanut butter is what I use too...gets em everytime....although, I am lucky I don't catch my gal and the daughter with it...lol
They eat that stuff like it is the best thing on earth.

Sawyer · Mar 15, 2013

I set out both small and large traps, since I'm never really sure what I'm after. Peanut butter is the go to bait, though I have used strawberry preserves when I knew I was going after a rat. The last one I caught was in the full-sized rat trap and it didn't kill him, just pinned him down until I took care of things. (I hate that.) I think if he got caught in a mouse trap he would just do a few reps on the spring before moving on.

DesertChris · Mar 15, 2013

LOL, in college, the first house we rented had Norway rats, and Wood rats....man some of those guys were like small dogs! They would hang around in the garage and steal dog food. So we would get our semi-auto bb guns and all 4 of us would jump through the door and unload on them! Always got a few each mission...lol

Stupid rats....here, outside, it is the ground squirrels that are the enemy...and rabbits....and birds....and bugs.....

stc3248 · Mar 16, 2013

Sawyer said:
You should be able to grow a sequoia (shortest word with all 5 standard vowels? "aerious" has them in order, but I'm not sure that's a word.) in those 18 gallons totes. The cost of the mix to fill such a large container will keep me from going that route. Last year's price for 5 trade gallon blow-molded pots from BWI was less than a dollar apiece and $1.67 each for the 7 trade gallon pots. The Viagrow 5 gallon grow bags run from 35¢ to 50¢ depending on where and how many. I think I'll try some of each to see what works best for me.

Great crazy facts there! I usually mix up my own soil for the LARGE containers. Some peat, compost, perlite and soil from either the top few inches under the compost piles or old potting soil. I throw in a little cow manure, some bone and blood meal and mix it up. Afraid to use most of my compost and last year's potting soil this year due to virus issues from last year so I am stuck buying soil. Hope you catch the culprit soon! Too bad the don't leave prints like us humans with our subdermatoglyphic patterns...claimed to be the word with most unique letters (17)...but subgrandcomplexity (18) is also claimed. Don't think either is in a dictionary though??? Thanks for making me think tonight!

I almost went with bags this year...will be watching your choice to see how it works out for you!

Sawyer · Mar 16, 2013

stc3248 said:
Great crazy facts there! I usually mix up my own soil for the LARGE containers. Some peat, compost, perlite and soil from either the top few inches under the compost piles or old potting soil. I throw in a little cow manure, some bone and blood meal and mix it up. Afraid to use most of my compost and last year's potting soil this year due to virus issues from last year so I am stuck buying soil. Hope you catch the culprit soon! Too bad the don't leave prints like us humans with our subdermatoglyphic patterns...claimed to be the word with most unique letters (17)...but subgrandcomplexity (18) is also claimed. Don't think either is in a dictionary though??? Thanks for making me think tonight!

I almost went with bags this year...will be watching your choice to see how it works out for you!

I stick to soilless mix because of horticultural trade regulations here in Arkansas. I've found a number of documents detailing these regulations and they all are prefaced by something to the effect of, "these rules do not apply to plants grown in soilless media". Since I'm always open to the possibility of selling some of my plants, it behooves me to use soilless mixes. That said, if I were going to be filling such large containers as you, I would probably mix my own, too, just skip the compost and manure. In fact I have a couple of bales of peat and a bag or two each of vermiculite and perlite. I'm looking into some pine bark-based mixes for the 5 gallon containers and some tree pots I'm going to start shortly. I lost some valuable trees last year (chinquapin) growing in tree pots because of poor drainage from the peat-based mix.

Regarding linguistic diversions, this site can help you waste some time.

Sawyer · Mar 16, 2013

Another beautiful day here, weather-wise, 75ºF early afternoon. The OWs spent their first night outside last night, and are looking quite happy today. The 6 bhuts continue to leaf out and I think I see some hopeful signs on the Naga Morich.

The 3/4 and 3/6 plantings are starting to pop in earnest. I updated the OP with new numbers, but the new arrivals are:

(2) TS Moruga
(6) Yellow Brain Strain
(3) TS Moruga Yellow
(2) White BJ
(2) Giant White Hab (from the first planting)
(12) Pinata Jalapeno
(7) Orange BJ
(1) Datil

meatfreak · Mar 16, 2013

Interested to see how your Giant White Hab will turn out, from which source do yours come from? I have tried it from 2 different ones last season and both turned out something else. Trying it again this year with seeds from a reliable source. It's a variety that's quite hard to find the real deal.

Sawyer · Mar 16, 2013

I got the GWH from here. I hope they grow true, the story told at the linked site is quite interesting.

meatfreak · Mar 16, 2013

Sawyer said:
I got the GWH from here. I hope they grow true, the story told at the linked site is quite interesting.

Interesting story yes, but is it true?

Anyway, I got them from an Italian grower also, that has been growing it (isolated) for a couple of years now. I've grown the 7-Pot White last season so I know how it looks and taste. Hopefully I can get the GWH to produce so I can compare. Judging from the pictures I've seen, the pod shape is completely different from the 7-Pot White I have grown.

Sawyer · Mar 16, 2013

meatfreak said:
Interesting story yes, but is it true? Anyway, I got them from an Italian grower also, that has been growing it (isolated) for a couple of years now. I've grown the 7-Pot White last season so I know how it looks and taste. Hopefully I can get the GWH to produce so I can compare. Judging from the pictures I've seen, the pod shape is completely different from the 7-Pot White I have grown.

Yeah, who knows about the story? Do you have any pictures of your 7 Pot White pods? According to a couple of different places, the 7PW is just a renamed GWH, but if your pods look different, then maybe that's not the case. Another thing I read is that the GWH does best in partial shade/filtered sun, which means mine will likely go in pots under the silver maple trees.

stc3248 · Mar 16, 2013

The story is most likely true...RFC is a reputable site. Jim's place is not far from my house. Should go by and visit. Most of my plants that got some shade/filtered sun in the heat of the day did best and grew the biggest.

DesertChris · Mar 16, 2013

If they are that sensitive, those giant whites would die here for sure! unless kept indoors.

stc3248 said:
The story is most likely true...RFC is a reputable site. Jim's place is not far from my house. Should go by and visit. Most of my plants that got some shade/filtered sun in the heat of the day did best and grew the biggest.

Isn't he over in El Cajon, or something like that? I grew up in Rancho San Diego / Spring Valley area.
Just over a hill from there.

Also lived close to you once upon a time, rented an apartment for a year, with a couple friends in Rancho Bernardo about 14 years ago.

Edit...looks like he is in Lakeside, my sister lives there....There is that back road that goes from Poway to Lakeside too....so not far at all from you!

Oh, and sorry for the off topic bit, in your glog.

stc3248 · Mar 16, 2013

Yeah....67 takes you right over to Lakeside. I think he supplies some local nurseries??? Anyway, never ordered from him but I hear good things.

meatfreak · Mar 16, 2013

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Sawyer said:
Yeah, who knows about the story? Do you have any pictures of your 7 Pot White pods? According to a couple of different places, the 7PW is just a renamed GWH, but if your pods look different, then maybe that's not the case. Another thing I read is that the GWH does best in partial shade/filtered sun, which means mine will likely go in pots under the silver maple trees.

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[font=Helvetica Neue'][background=rgb(255, 255, 255)]If you look at the bottom of the pods, the shape is like a flower/7pot to me. It's also more pumpkin like then Habanero like, but I just have to be patience and wait till summer when my plants will start to pod up. The pods were really white, it was a bit hard to get it right with my phone.[/background][/font]

Sawyer · Mar 16, 2013

DesertChris said:
Oh, and sorry for the off topic bit, in your glog.

No apology necessary; happy to facilitate.

meatfreak said:
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[font=Helvetica Neue'][background=rgb(255, 255, 255)]If you look at the bottom of the pods, the shape is like a flower/7pot to me. It's also more pumpkin like then Habanero like, but I just have to be patience and wait till summer when my plants will start to pod up. The pods were really white, it was a bit hard to get it right with my phone.[/background][/font]

Those look quite a bit like what this guy is calling GWH. The pepper shows up around timestamp :50 or so. Guess we'll wait and see.

meatfreak · Mar 17, 2013

Sawyer said:
Those look quite a bit like what this guy is calling GWH. The pepper shows up around timestamp :50 or so. Guess we'll wait and see.

Yes they do

but from the pictures I've seen the GWH is smoother and looks more like a big red hab, but white of course :lol:

Like you say, we'll just have to wait and see, but I'm intrigued by this variety!

Devv · Mar 17, 2013

Hey Sawyer,

Looks like your off to a great start. It's very interesting to browse all these glogs to see how people do things.

Have a great grow!

Scott