Spicy_Ghost 2012 Grow log

First of all, I want to thank everyone from this forum for helping a newbie. After dozens and dozens of hours of intensive research of how to germinate and grow ghost peppers It finally paid off !! My set up is hydrofarm heat mat, hydrofarm temperature control for heat mat, Tray and dome, E.B. Stone seed starter mix, hydrofarm 2ft 2 tube T5 grow light. Process....I sowed the seeds on 12/4/11....................... Before I sowed the seeds I soaked them in warm distilled water for 24 hrs. Then I filled my tray with E.B stone seed starter mix and sowed the seeds 1/4' deep. I lightly watered them and set temperature control to 85* F and covered the tray with clear dome. I watered every two or three days depending on the surface of the mix. After obssesivly monotiring the status of my babies... BANNNNGGGGG!!! 7 days later most of them sprouted. I was shocked and amazed on how fast they germinated. I was aiming more like 2 to 3 weeks. I was very happy and pleased that my little setup was a sucess ...... So, here I am almost a month later with a grow log and pics... here's the lil one's and my little set-up ... oh I have a timer for the light for 18 hours and also a timer for a low powered fan to prevent mold, and a workout for the seedlings so they can get strong. Fan goes on in diffrent times of the day a total of 5 hrs a day.


This Pic was taken on 12/15

These pics were taken today...9 days later

My little set-up

 

[spicy_ghost_805]

That is some really impressive growth! When will your plants go outside? They could be huge by then. they look so healthy.

Thanks...I will be taking my plants outdoors by late march. I think I started my grow a little too early. A learning experience for the following years.

 

[spicy_ghost_805]

UPDATE>>>> It's been 22 days since my last update. Lots of changes have taken place. First, I over watered a few of them and some have EDEMA. I decreased the watering and i've seen some improvement. I've been having a difficult time watering because the pots and the growing medium hold water for a couple of weeks before they start getting a bit dry. I'm guessing because the T5's produce very little heat to decrease the water in the medium ?? So i've been watering every 2 weeks or so. I'm still feeding my plants with only 50% strength fertz every second watering. Second, some plants have wrinkled leaves and brown/yellow spots on leaves. I'm not sure whats really going on. I'm ruling out the possibility of fert burn which I only feed 50% strength. Any clue ???
Third, I transplanted 8 ghost peppers and 1 peter pepper into 5 gallon and 10 gallon nursery pots. The rest I'm going to give away to friends and neighbor's. Finally, I'm a bit surprised that most ghost peppers and peter peppers have started to flower after 70 days since they sprouted. The peppers are not even 10 inches tall and they started to flower already. I thought they would start to flower when they reached a height of maybe 2 to 3 feet?? anyhow, It was recommended by a few members to pinch off the buds. I've never done it before, so i'm asking for some advice. ?? any suggestions and opinions are welcome. Thank you, cheers.!!

All pictures taken 02/22/2012

First flower of 2012 ghost pepper

Ghost pepper

Peter Pepper

Brown spots...... any idea ??

Wrinkled/curled leaves ??

Roots.. Transplant From .65 gal (6" pots) into 5 gal pots.

 

[TheAmatureGreenThumb]

That is a wicked nice Root Ball you have there sir.

 

[spicy_ghost_805]

That is a wicked nice Root Ball you have there sir.

Thank You. maybe I could have waited a little longer ?

 

[PaulG]

I think you nailed it, the root sticking down at the bottom will drill into the new soil.
Great looking plants in all; very enjoyable to browse your photos.

 

[megahot]

very nice looking glog and nice plants!!!

 

[spicy_ghost_805]

I think you nailed it, the root sticking down at the bottom will drill into the new soil.
Great looking plants in all; very enjoyable to browse your photos.

Thanks Paul... I'm a picture freak.!! I enjoy taking pictures

very nice looking glog and nice plants!!!

Thanks for the compliment Mega....

 

[spicy_ghost_805]

UPDATE>>>>>>>>Pic taken today 08/11/2012
Well it's been a long and fun grow log. Lot's of work involved to maintain healthy looking ghost peppers. I couldn't of done it without all the help I recieved from this forum (thank you). I'm still feeding my plants with General Organics line. One thing that bugs me is the ocasional yellowing of leaves. Seems they start getting yellow from the bottom of the plant. I guess it's because of low nitrogen, but I rather have this problem than fertilizer burn. I've taken a few ghost peppers on special events and WOW what a great way to meet new people and socialize. I've seen folks enjoying the flavor and pain from eating the ghost peppers. I'm happy to say that this long and enjoyable grow of super-hots have brought me lots of good times Enjoy the pictures.

 

[spicy_ghost_805]

The past 7 days I've been lucky that the peppers foliage have not had any sun burn due to 90* + plus weather... They are getting about 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight..