stc3248, 2013 Grow log, Season's Greetings and Season's End

Well here we go again! Those that saw my grow last year know that I was plagued by virus issues and many other problems, but I was still able to pull off the most amazing grow of my life. By season's end every plant was infected. Some keeled over, but others just kept right on trucking. I learned a ton, and hope to use it to pull off a season without that virus making a repeat appearance. It will be tough. I had huge numbers of pods, and many hit the ground and rotted, so there are sure to be some infected volunteers that show up. My grow this year will be MUCH smaller and focused on the varieties I liked best along with a couple new ones I really wanna try out.


First a couple of my money shots from last year...

I plan to use a similar grow setup to start with...here are a couple pics of how it looked...

My setup evolved as the season began. I started with a single t8 shoplight...the two shoplights and ended up with a single row of CFL's down the center hooked into a 4' power strip the the two shoplights angled in from the sides. The light from the sides really seemed to promote growth at the lower nodes...so for this year...

I bought some more CFL's Mix of 100w and 75w equivalents. The 100w eq were around $10 for 4 at HD and the 75w were $3 for 6 at COSTCO!!! Also bought some splitters for the sockets and here's what the power strip looks like now...

This thing feels like its giving you a sunburn from 6' away...I alternated 100/75 on each side all the way down...Instead of the mylar I am going with foil sided foam sheathing...

My "plan" with this stuff is to make the Shelf unit more of a grow tent type setup. Hoping I can use the lights and a small space heater to maintain a constant temp in the mid 80s. I am also going to "try" to use magnetic tape to attach this stuff so access will be easy. We shall see. May get too warm...but easy enough to vent if need be. I am going to try to keep them indoors much longer this year. I put them out to early last year, and some of the late starts that stayed inside until the night time temps were higher passed many of my early starts that were already in the ground.

My final dilemma is the wife says 20 plants...and I have all these awesome seeds! So I am going to see if the wife's # is sort of like the over the counter dosage...the full prescription strength is double, so I am aiming for 40. I will start almost twice that # though so if you're near SD be watching this glog around plant out, I will be getting rid of some plants...

Well here is the list for now...If something you sent didn't make it I still have them, and will get to them some day. Momma is already pissed!

Wilds
Tepin 15 (seed train 2012)
Pequin Chiapas (Griff87)
Bird Aji (Seed Train 2012)
Cumari (Romy6)
PI 438638 (Romy6)

Annuum
Jamaican Hot Yellow (My Seed)
Goat's Weed (My seed)
Explosive Ember (My seed)
Tri-color Variagata (Seed Train 2012)
Numex Centennial (the next seed train)

Pubescens
Ultra Pube PI 585266 (SocalChilehead)
Manzano (farmer's market)

Baccatum
Yellow Aji from Peru (Paul G)

Chinense
Giant Twisted Chocolate Hab (CMPMAN 1974 Via Pr0digal_son)
St Marteen Marigot Mkt Yellow Scotch Bonnet (Pic1)
Jamaica Scotch Bonnet (Pic1)
Belize City Scotch Bonnet (Pic1)
Fatalii (Pulpiteer)

The Supers
Yellow Billy Boy Douglah (SilverSurfer via Coheed via Romy6)
Yellow Cardi Scorpion (Romy6)
Yellow 7 Pot Brain Strain (Unknown Source probably the next seed train???)
Yellow 7 Pot (Pr0digal_son)
7 Pot Brain Strain (Romy6 Had some from Jamie and got some more from PaulG)
7 Pot Congo SR (CMPMAN 1974 via Pr0digal_son)
7 Pot White (SocalChilehead)
7 Pot Monster Infinity (gnslngr)
7 Pot Primo (MGold via PaulG)
Douglah (Pr0digal_son)
Trinidad Scorpion Moruga (Bakers Peppers)
Bhut Jolokia Indian Carbon (Pr0digal_son)

7 Pot Barrackpore (soon to arrive from DocNrock )
HP22B aka Carolina Reaper (soon to arrive from DocNrock )

Ummm...I count 32ish varieties. May scrub a couple off, but may not!!! Thinking I can get by with the Ornamentals and Wilds as long as I keep them small and Bonchi them to look perdy for Momma???

I think I will skip most all of the grocery store available varieties this year so I can grow more of the good stuff...That's if for now everybody! Hope you all have a great season!!!

Shane

 

[stc3248]

Did the tolerance to the hot stuff happen quickly with you?

My twin sons make extra money in the evenings and on weekends cleaning pools that over-wintered similar to yours. They rent a 3-inch trash pump and have ANY pool sparkling clean and filling back up in 1 day. I did it for years and turned it over to them moons ago. It was a nice side-gig. Paid for huntin-n-fishin stuff for 4 boys and me for years. PM if you need info. Ray

Not sure I will ever have a tolerance to some of them...but adding super or close to it powders to my food over the last year had definitely boosted both my tolerance and need for the heat. The pool I will get under control...just need some parts that the landlord wasn't willing to invest in, and I dang sure wasn't. Finally ordered them yesterday so I'll be bringing it back around soon. The real problem is the pool needs to be resurfaced...the chunks of plaster are tearing up the vacuum, pump and filters. He also had an undersized filter system for this size pool...which works as long as you can keep up with it, but once behind it is a pain to get back on top. Tempted to just let it go and throw some Koi and Lotus in there and call it good. The pool heater has a gas leak...well not so much the heater as the plumbing leading to it so I have to keep that shut off at the main valve. No heater here means only a few months of swimming...only July and August have average night time temps in the low 60's the rest of the year its 40s and 50s...so for now its an eye sore and a money pit costing thousands of dollars a year in chemicals and electricity.




I figured the pots would get mixed reviews...They are growing on me. Aside from the looks, they are handy in that I am quickly learning the different colors and plants associated with them. All black pots means checking tags over and over until some ripe pods are visible.

Andy...your fatalii is a perdy one for sure. A little bit of a slow grower, but picture perfect. You guessed it on the theme song...follows me everywhere! Fun at first but I'm over it now...used to be "Bad to the Bone" until I walked into a room with George back in '82 and he stole it from me...that head nurse still calls from time to time...she never could heed her own advice.

Jamie brotha...you quit updating and I'm gonna come down there and update your grow myself!

Doc...your Barrackpore is kicking-a. Started a little bit late, but in a month you won't be able to tell which ones were sowed when. The virus has me worried...I found about 50 volunteers yesterday afternoon. Ughhh...

Trippa...stop by when you can brother. Hard to keep up with all the glogs this year. I wish I could hit them all, so much great info and so many great folks, but there are just SO many! So no worries mate, come by when you can!

On the good news side, I got permission to grow "a few" container plants at the barracks so I will be taking a couple of my extras with me when I go back from leave. Thinking that will be my overwinter spot next year too...Seal Beach is a frost free area!!! Will be snapping some pics when I can but my mom flies in tonight and I haven't seen her in a LONG time...looking forward to making her put her feet up while we take care of her for a change. She's a gardener too, so I have a week of nursery hopping ahead, and she'll probably go way overboard as usual buying seeds for herself and stuff for me as well. Going to be a great week...

 

[DocNrock]

Nice video update. Three minutes is just about the right length. Your plants are really kicking into high gear now. Very nice to be able to put a few container plants in Seal Beach..truly year-round growing!

 

[Pulpiteer]

Andy...your fatalii is a perdy one for sure. A little bit of a slow grower, but picture perfect. You guessed it on the theme song...follows me everywhere! Fun at first but I'm over it now...used to be "Bad to the Bone" until I walked into a room with George back in '82 and he stole it from me...that head nurse still calls from time to time...she never could heed her own advice.

I love it...


I never thought of that benefit of the multicolored pots. That makes a lot of sense though.

For the record, I'm totally in favor of fish in the swimming pool. Aqua culture! You can add some water plants, get a whole ecosystem going. Maybe even a few duck for eggs, meat, and bug control...

Have fun with your mom - cool that you can share the love of gardening with her!

 

[Jamison]

SHane buddy, wowzers man! Those things are BOOMIN bro. You are soooo far ahead of schedule it's ridiculous my friend! Fanfreakintastic

 

[Pr0digal_son]

That pool looks like more garden space to me! The Pacific is for swimming. Your timing was perfect this year Shane. The plants made it outside and are striding! Last year I had to leave a few pot bound because of weather,and space,it basically zapped the early start I had. I'm hoping to get my plants out by Memorial Day. I won't plant out until all the spring rains are done. Cold ground and week long rains make for stunted yellow plants.

 

[Devv]

Hey Shane,

Plants are looking great! You have quite a jump on the year.

Enjoy the time off.

Scott

 

[WalkGood]

I much prefer background tunes to voice over, great job on video

Not sure I will ever have a tolerance to some of them...but adding super or close to it powders to my food over the last year had definitely boosted both my tolerance and need for the heat. The pool I will get under control...just need some parts that the landlord wasn't willing to invest in …

I hear ya, pools are like boats … a money pit and that sucks about the landlord not willing to pony up. Here you can deduct from rent and have some repairman do the work as you need receipts. That said, I’ve been doing all my own pool work for around 5+ years now. Funny how long a pump lasts you when you do it right, same goes for DT panels and the rest … good luck with it.

I figured the pots would get mixed reviews...They are growing on me. Aside from the looks, they are handy in that I am quickly learning the different colors and plants associated with them. …

I don’t learn to identify plants by pot color or pods but by leaf shape, plant color and look/growth … but mon dem colors remind me of music ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ when’s the pool party
»» Foobar2k ::: Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced? (1967) - 03 - Purple Haze ::: 0:09/2:55 (••••••••••&bull ::: 421 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: Pink Floyd - More (1995) - 05 - Green Is The Colour ::: 1:23/2:59 (•••••••••&bull ::: 487 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: Beatles, The - Revolver (1966) - 06 - Yellow Submarine ::: 0:05/2:40 (•••••••••&bull ::: 498 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: R.E.M. - Green (1988) - 07 - Orange Crush ::: 1:20/3:52 (•••••••••&bull ::: 495 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: Balkan Beat Box - Blue Eyed Black Boy (2010) - 03 - Blue Eyed Black Boy ::: 0:03/3:22 (•••••••••&bull ::: 420 kbps ««

On the good news side, I got permission to grow "a few" container plants at the barracks so I will be taking a couple of my extras with me when I go back from leave.

Make sure you don’t take dem colorful pots, while we understand here they might get the wrong picture there Have the kids camouflage some of the black pots, that might go over better, lol

my mom flies in tonight and I haven't seen her in a LONG time...looking forward to making her put her feet up while we take care of her for a change. …

You lucky dog, take great care of Mama, I miss mine every day! Great work on everything, love da glog and excuse my off beat jokes mon, have a great weekend!

 

[Sanarda]

Great looking stuff there Shane.

 

[stc3248]

SHane buddy, wowzers man! Those things are BOOMIN bro. You are soooo far ahead of schedule it's ridiculous my friend! Fanfreakintastic

Thanks Jamison...they're putting up with me pretty well so far!

That pool looks like more garden space to me! The Pacific is for swimming. Your timing was perfect this year Shane. The plants made it outside and are striding! Last year I had to leave a few pot bound because of weather,and space,it basically zapped the early start I had. I'm hoping to get my plants out by Memorial Day. I won't plant out until all the spring rains are done. Cold ground and week long rains make for stunted yellow plants.

John...I have considered filling it in...or converting it to a pond, I choose to neglect it instead! The plants are rockin so far, I timed my plant out better for sure this year. Some of mine yellowed a bit with the cold nights, but for the most part they are liking what's going on! Thanks for the kind words!

Hey Shane,

Plants are looking great! You have quite a jump on the year.

Enjoy the time off.

Scott

Don't worry Scott, I have plenty of time to screw it up! haha...hopefully the weather continues to cooperate.

I much prefer background tunes to voice over, great job on video


I hear ya, pools are like boats … a money pit and that sucks about the landlord not willing to pony up. Here you can deduct from rent and have some repairman do the work as you need receipts. That said, I’ve been doing all my own pool work for around 5+ years now. Funny how long a pump lasts you when you do it right, same goes for DT panels and the rest … good luck with it.


I don’t learn to identify plants by pot color or pods but by leaf shape, plant color and look/growth … but mon dem colors remind me of music ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ when’s the pool party
»» Foobar2k ::: Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced? (1967) - 03 - Purple Haze ::: 0:09/2:55 (••••••••••&bull ::: 421 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: Pink Floyd - More (1995) - 05 - Green Is The Colour ::: 1:23/2:59 (•••••••••&bull ::: 487 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: Beatles, The - Revolver (1966) - 06 - Yellow Submarine ::: 0:05/2:40 (•••••••••&bull ::: 498 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: R.E.M. - Green (1988) - 07 - Orange Crush ::: 1:20/3:52 (•••••••••&bull ::: 495 kbps ««
»» Foobar2k ::: Balkan Beat Box - Blue Eyed Black Boy (2010) - 03 - Blue Eyed Black Boy ::: 0:03/3:22 (•••••••••&bull ::: 420 kbps ««


Make sure you don’t take dem colorful pots, while we understand here they might get the wrong picture there Have the kids camouflage some of the black pots, that might go over better, lol


You lucky dog, take great care of Mama, I miss mine every day! Great work on everything, love da glog and excuse my off beat jokes mon, have a great weekend!

Haha...I would use the nursery containers if I took some up there, not because I would worry about the image, but because mama wants the perdy ones here. Mom is here and eager to help outside already!

Great looking stuff there Shane.

Thanks lady!!! I sure am a proud papa!

Here are some pics from this morning...

Trinidad Scorpion Moruga (Baker's Peppers)

[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)]7 Pot Congo SR (CMPMAN 1974 via Pr0digal_son)[/background]

[background=rgb(255, 244, 228)]Bhut Jolokia Indian Carbon (Pr0digal_son)[/background]

7 Pot Rennie (Armac via Denniz), Yellow 7 Pot (Pr0digal_Son), Yellow Cardi Scorpion (Romy6), Numex Centennial, Explosive Ember

Wilds, Weeds, Mysteries and Perdies...

7 Pot White (SocalChilihead)

Belize City Scotch Bonnet (Pic1)

Belize City Scotch Bonnet (Pic1)

Yellow Cardi Scorpion (Romy6)

Goat's Weed...

Thanks for checking in folks! I'll be in and out...gotta go plant shopping with mom!
Shane

 

[Devv]

Great update!

They sure look happy.

 

[stickman]

Nice looking plants Shane... I say that every time, but it's true. You've worked hard for them and deserve the chops, but it's getting hard over here to wait for the spring thaw...

»» Foobar2k ::: Balkan Beat Box - Blue Eyed Black Boy (2010) - 03 - Blue Eyed Black Boy ::: 0:03/3:22 (•••••••••&bull ::: 420 kbps ««

Good on ya Ramon! You're the only other person I've ever "met" that knew about Balkan Beat Box. I'm a fan of Serbian brass band music like they play at the Trubaci Festival in Guca, Serbia every August. BBB is a mashup of that and HipHop.

 

[DesertChris]

Hmmmmm, the pool could make a great subterranean greenhouse if you put the right "lid" on it

 

[WalkGood]

Shane another stellar up date mon, love the pictures, especially your featured pepper in most updates, keep her "coming up" brethren
»» Foobar2k ::: Paul McCartney - All The Best (1987) - 14 - Coming Up ::: 1:36/3:31 (••••••••••&bull ::: 577 kbps ««

Haha...I would use the nursery containers if I took some up there, not because I would worry about the image, but because mama wants the perdy ones here.

So where’s the fuchsia colored pot, you should at least take that one

Mom is here and eager to help outside already!

Cool! Say hola from dat Southern Tropical contention ^_^

… Good on ya Ramon! You're the only other person I've ever "met" that knew about Balkan Beat Box. I'm a fan of Serbian brass band music like they play at the Trubaci Festival in Guca, Serbia every August. BBB is a mashup of that and HipHop.

Full album wise I only have Nu Med, Blue Eyed Black Boy and Balken Beat Box so far … but ya mon, dem boys rock!

 

[Spicegeist]

Wilds, Weeds, Mysteries and Perdies...

Haha, here's my favorite. Everything is looking great, love the close-up of the Goat's Weed. I decided the other week to start a Goat's Weed x Pima Bajo... we'll see how that works out...

 

[HillBilly Jeff]

Nice looking plants.

 

[RPM55]

All the plants are looking great Shane!!! I watched the video update but didn't see any manzanos, are you groing any this season? I have about six or so pods on my plant now.

Good growing, Robert

 

[Jandek]

Super cool lighting setup. I couldn't figure out how I was going to do my own until I saw yours. Thank you so much for sharing. Will definitely be following along

 

[ThePepperManiac]

nice plants man keep it up

 

[roper2008]

Very nice. What kind of soil do you have them growing in?

 

[patrick]

Your plants are outside. In the sun. Outside in the sun. The grass is even green. Outside, green grass and sun. I want to move.

Looking good Shane.