Lots of questions and gonna try to get to point: (and have spent waking/sleeping hours reading on here so please don't tell me to "search" . . . pweeze).
(I've only grown a few annuums and mostly tomatoes from seed . . . shuu! Don tell!)
1. Biggest question: have enough seed from ripened pods to save but will they be "true" next year? Am ordering some new varieties but ordering all these pepper seeds = cost prohibitive. Got seeds from live plants from Cross Country Nurseries and are:
Harold's St. Barts, Chocolate habanero, yellow 7 pod, fatallii, naga morich, Caribbean red, red and yellow bhuts. Yellow 7 brain strain.
In ripe pods, in refrig, a lot to dry for powders still, plenty of time to save a lot for seeds if they will come true. I didn't isolate or put cheesecloth, panty hose, none of that over anything. In open field, cross pollinated. So, first question, is it likely that I can get one more year of "true" plants since the ones I ordered this year were true or tasted, looked "true" and not hybrid. I've seen some folks on here say that this coming season I'd be okay but would have to order for 2014 or something. Am looking at 2013 grow season. Like: is it a problem they're in frig awaiting some smoking and some drying as far as saving others for seed? So: ripe pods, in frig from 2012 true plantings: will seeds, if dried, create true plants for 2013? CCN is pretty reputable. But ya never know.
2. Have used promix for starting tomatoes. I've also used compost (mine, hot composted, multiple manures) and vermicompost with a little vermiculite and had outstanding maters. I generally help that out with a touch of "wee touch" of alfalfa meal, bone meal, and kelp. Baring everything else, slightest kelp just for roots. Am more interested in mycorrhizae from jump.
But is even kelp overboard in seed starting? I tend to go there: overboard. Because I have a few raised beds, in spring I top them off with a mixture of peat, vermiculite, several compost types, blood meal/fish meal, bone meal, bat guano, kelp and azomite. Azomite takes time to build and I'm seeing the results. But would Promix alone (has or says it does, mycorrhizae) work for the superhots for starting? If so, great!
3. I want to start in small plugs. 98 cell. After soaking about 8 hours in warm distilled water with 1 teasp. 3% hydrogene peroxide in labeled "solo" cups with maybe iddybiddy teensyweensy touch of mycorrhizae? In trays on rack above heat mat--helps tomatoes. Then into plug flats in trays on heat mat, with domes. I'd rather not do jiffy pellets but I've done that too with tomatoes. Thoughts? I'm looking at most economical way for a lot of pepper plants. Coir bricks? Promix? Thoughts about that many cells? I've seen one guy on here start in more. My heat mat will hold 4 flats.
4. Lights? I've done okay with annuums jalapeno, cayenne, Tabasco--bought from seed comps--tomatoes, squash, etc. with one fixture of 2 T8's 65k, per shelf on 74 x 48 x 18 deep shelf unit. BUT, not enough light sometimes. Thing is, had to maneuver flats. I have room on bottoms of 4 shelves for 4 more T8 65k fixtures with 2 bulbs each. Have some emergency heating blankets, that mylar stuff; was thinking about going with 4 T8's per shelf and reflecting light back after germination, with opening, near wood stove some and circulating air around plants (roll up the "silver stuff) for several hours per day. Thoughts? I have a healthy "dis"-respect for damping off.
5. Now the cute part. When potting up would like to hold peppers a while but how long can I? The annuums, I don't think could hold too long but start those later than chinense. And herein comes "cute part." I would just as soon pot up once (before garden--I don't plant in pots or 5 gal buckets) if can get away with it into 2" x 2.25" x 3.25" inserts. 36 per tray. Shelves are 18 deep and trays are 21 deep but think I can get away with it. I don't have to plant into last 4 cells. Some will go into individuals, am sure. My fear? Running out of space! Because am also planting (later), annuums, including sweet, poblano, guajillo etc., and then later, tomatoes. A lot of tomatoes. But by the time I plant tomatoes up into cell inserts, could be time, depending on weather, to let maybe, the superhots hang outside some, but no way we'll have a March warm enough to leave them out. But I have a t-post braced compost bin from wood pallets, not in use, facing south. I could easily raise the back of it with some 2x2's, cover that with clear poly or clear tarp-like, use some wire shelves and have small heater for night with covered floor?
6. I've planted in open-large-garden in mid-April. Zone 7. Last frost date is supposedly April 15th or so, but have seen a few "surprises." So aside from the mix--and when potting up adding the nutes with later feedings, does this plan sound doable?
Oh and the grow list if I can use this past summer's seed from pods:
Harold's St. Barts, Chocolate habanero, yellow 7 pod, fatallii, naga morich, Caribbean red, red and yellow bhuts. Yellow 7 brain strain. And new stuff:
Zapotec Jalapeno--peppermania
Scotch bonnet--Ibid
Aji Limon--Ibid
Aji Lemon Drop--Ibid
Manzano Yellow--Ibid
Orange Thai--Ibid
Datil--pepperjoe
Trinidad Scotch Bonnet collection--pepperlover
7 Pod collection--Ibid
Red and Yellow Moruga--Ibid
7 Pod Burgandy--Ibid
Giant Mexican Rocoto--Ibid
Monster Naga--Ibid
Jalapeno M--tomatogrowers as are rest (including tomatoes, etc at end)
Ancho San Martin
Cayenne
Tabasco
Guajillo
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Red Cherry Hot--about same thing as mexi-bell
Serrano
Thai hot--red--frutescen
Kung Pao
Chiltepin
Socrates X3R Hybrid bell--gonzo mofo LARGE bell, turns red faster
Pritavit--really sweet red bell--for sweet smoked paprika
Orange Blaze
Sweet Spot sweet banana
Key West cubanelle
Gypsy
Sunsation
Giant Marconi
Big Bertha
and tomatoes: La Roma III, Super Marzano, Viva Italia, Early Girl, Bella Rosa, Better Boy, Lemon Boy, Mountain Spring (which is a lot like Mountain Pride), Rutgers, Celebrity, Goliath, Big Beef, Burpee's Supersteak, Brandywine Sudduth's, Cherokee Purple, Mexico, Sun Gold cherry, Sun Cherry.
Add to that a few versions of eggplant, tomatillo (which should be started earlier than tomatoes, really), varieties of pickling cukes, summer squash, zukes, varieties of basil, culantro and new chives. Along with bug keep-offs, like marigolds, zinnias, and about "tyme" to plant some more calendula.
So: 1. Would my seeds be good (true) from description above?
2. Would that light system work (doubling up)?
3. If I don't have room, presuming they grow, I can buy another shelving unit and 2 more fixtures of t8 65k? Yes? No?
4. What about idea of makeshift green house from pallet-t-post braced compost bin with wire shelves and heater?
5. Is this whole mess too ambitious?
6. I'll trade somebody some whole pods or dried seed for viable, if y'all think mine are viable, anything I have for peach bhut and datil so I don't have to make one order for one pack of seeds from pepperjoe. Nobody has peach bhut and would like more than seeds from one pod because I'd send whole pods or seeds from 4-5 or more pods. Insurance. In fact, if you have seeds that are "true" I'll trade anything if I have anything you want, providing you think my seeds will come out "true" this year. Not interested in creating hybrids accidentally.
I'd appreciate any and all ideas. Peace and thanks. Annie
(I've only grown a few annuums and mostly tomatoes from seed . . . shuu! Don tell!)
1. Biggest question: have enough seed from ripened pods to save but will they be "true" next year? Am ordering some new varieties but ordering all these pepper seeds = cost prohibitive. Got seeds from live plants from Cross Country Nurseries and are:
Harold's St. Barts, Chocolate habanero, yellow 7 pod, fatallii, naga morich, Caribbean red, red and yellow bhuts. Yellow 7 brain strain.
In ripe pods, in refrig, a lot to dry for powders still, plenty of time to save a lot for seeds if they will come true. I didn't isolate or put cheesecloth, panty hose, none of that over anything. In open field, cross pollinated. So, first question, is it likely that I can get one more year of "true" plants since the ones I ordered this year were true or tasted, looked "true" and not hybrid. I've seen some folks on here say that this coming season I'd be okay but would have to order for 2014 or something. Am looking at 2013 grow season. Like: is it a problem they're in frig awaiting some smoking and some drying as far as saving others for seed? So: ripe pods, in frig from 2012 true plantings: will seeds, if dried, create true plants for 2013? CCN is pretty reputable. But ya never know.
2. Have used promix for starting tomatoes. I've also used compost (mine, hot composted, multiple manures) and vermicompost with a little vermiculite and had outstanding maters. I generally help that out with a touch of "wee touch" of alfalfa meal, bone meal, and kelp. Baring everything else, slightest kelp just for roots. Am more interested in mycorrhizae from jump.
But is even kelp overboard in seed starting? I tend to go there: overboard. Because I have a few raised beds, in spring I top them off with a mixture of peat, vermiculite, several compost types, blood meal/fish meal, bone meal, bat guano, kelp and azomite. Azomite takes time to build and I'm seeing the results. But would Promix alone (has or says it does, mycorrhizae) work for the superhots for starting? If so, great!
3. I want to start in small plugs. 98 cell. After soaking about 8 hours in warm distilled water with 1 teasp. 3% hydrogene peroxide in labeled "solo" cups with maybe iddybiddy teensyweensy touch of mycorrhizae? In trays on rack above heat mat--helps tomatoes. Then into plug flats in trays on heat mat, with domes. I'd rather not do jiffy pellets but I've done that too with tomatoes. Thoughts? I'm looking at most economical way for a lot of pepper plants. Coir bricks? Promix? Thoughts about that many cells? I've seen one guy on here start in more. My heat mat will hold 4 flats.
4. Lights? I've done okay with annuums jalapeno, cayenne, Tabasco--bought from seed comps--tomatoes, squash, etc. with one fixture of 2 T8's 65k, per shelf on 74 x 48 x 18 deep shelf unit. BUT, not enough light sometimes. Thing is, had to maneuver flats. I have room on bottoms of 4 shelves for 4 more T8 65k fixtures with 2 bulbs each. Have some emergency heating blankets, that mylar stuff; was thinking about going with 4 T8's per shelf and reflecting light back after germination, with opening, near wood stove some and circulating air around plants (roll up the "silver stuff) for several hours per day. Thoughts? I have a healthy "dis"-respect for damping off.
5. Now the cute part. When potting up would like to hold peppers a while but how long can I? The annuums, I don't think could hold too long but start those later than chinense. And herein comes "cute part." I would just as soon pot up once (before garden--I don't plant in pots or 5 gal buckets) if can get away with it into 2" x 2.25" x 3.25" inserts. 36 per tray. Shelves are 18 deep and trays are 21 deep but think I can get away with it. I don't have to plant into last 4 cells. Some will go into individuals, am sure. My fear? Running out of space! Because am also planting (later), annuums, including sweet, poblano, guajillo etc., and then later, tomatoes. A lot of tomatoes. But by the time I plant tomatoes up into cell inserts, could be time, depending on weather, to let maybe, the superhots hang outside some, but no way we'll have a March warm enough to leave them out. But I have a t-post braced compost bin from wood pallets, not in use, facing south. I could easily raise the back of it with some 2x2's, cover that with clear poly or clear tarp-like, use some wire shelves and have small heater for night with covered floor?
6. I've planted in open-large-garden in mid-April. Zone 7. Last frost date is supposedly April 15th or so, but have seen a few "surprises." So aside from the mix--and when potting up adding the nutes with later feedings, does this plan sound doable?
Oh and the grow list if I can use this past summer's seed from pods:
Harold's St. Barts, Chocolate habanero, yellow 7 pod, fatallii, naga morich, Caribbean red, red and yellow bhuts. Yellow 7 brain strain. And new stuff:
Zapotec Jalapeno--peppermania
Scotch bonnet--Ibid
Aji Limon--Ibid
Aji Lemon Drop--Ibid
Manzano Yellow--Ibid
Orange Thai--Ibid
Datil--pepperjoe
Trinidad Scotch Bonnet collection--pepperlover
7 Pod collection--Ibid
Red and Yellow Moruga--Ibid
7 Pod Burgandy--Ibid
Giant Mexican Rocoto--Ibid
Monster Naga--Ibid
Jalapeno M--tomatogrowers as are rest (including tomatoes, etc at end)
Ancho San Martin
Cayenne
Tabasco
Guajillo
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Red Cherry Hot--about same thing as mexi-bell
Serrano
Thai hot--red--frutescen
Kung Pao
Chiltepin
Socrates X3R Hybrid bell--gonzo mofo LARGE bell, turns red faster
Pritavit--really sweet red bell--for sweet smoked paprika
Orange Blaze
Sweet Spot sweet banana
Key West cubanelle
Gypsy
Sunsation
Giant Marconi
Big Bertha
and tomatoes: La Roma III, Super Marzano, Viva Italia, Early Girl, Bella Rosa, Better Boy, Lemon Boy, Mountain Spring (which is a lot like Mountain Pride), Rutgers, Celebrity, Goliath, Big Beef, Burpee's Supersteak, Brandywine Sudduth's, Cherokee Purple, Mexico, Sun Gold cherry, Sun Cherry.
Add to that a few versions of eggplant, tomatillo (which should be started earlier than tomatoes, really), varieties of pickling cukes, summer squash, zukes, varieties of basil, culantro and new chives. Along with bug keep-offs, like marigolds, zinnias, and about "tyme" to plant some more calendula.
So: 1. Would my seeds be good (true) from description above?
2. Would that light system work (doubling up)?
3. If I don't have room, presuming they grow, I can buy another shelving unit and 2 more fixtures of t8 65k? Yes? No?
4. What about idea of makeshift green house from pallet-t-post braced compost bin with wire shelves and heater?
5. Is this whole mess too ambitious?
6. I'll trade somebody some whole pods or dried seed for viable, if y'all think mine are viable, anything I have for peach bhut and datil so I don't have to make one order for one pack of seeds from pepperjoe. Nobody has peach bhut and would like more than seeds from one pod because I'd send whole pods or seeds from 4-5 or more pods. Insurance. In fact, if you have seeds that are "true" I'll trade anything if I have anything you want, providing you think my seeds will come out "true" this year. Not interested in creating hybrids accidentally.
I'd appreciate any and all ideas. Peace and thanks. Annie
.