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

 

[Jamison]

My god Shane, the Birgits are insane already, I might as well just trash mine

 

[RPM55]

Nice update as usual Shane !!! Everything is looking great.

I'm still waiting for some warmer nights here. Still getting frost at night but the forecast looks promising.

 

[windchicken]

Lol, Porter cracks me up....Like my dogs, I can hear him saying "Dad why do you spend so much time with those dumbass peppers...I'm way more fun, and 10 times cuter!"

I'm digging the rainbow pots and the drip system...You're gonna have some AJ-level production this year!

The THP skaters will want to know...Does your pool bowl out on the deep end, or is it square? We need a place to get together!

 

[Chaosbites]

Ooooooohh! I like how you did the drip system. I am sure to need something like that for my (soon to be) bucket brigade (not as purdy as tropical pool side pots).

Porter sure is giving you the stink eye. Better watch your six. Ha ha! Better spend some quality time with that pup. Such a cutie!!!

Michelle

 

[WalkGood]

I must have missed it somewhere around the pool with all that plant action going on, where is the sign that reads “NO CANON BALLS ALLOWED” Hope your Yellow Brain gets better soon … have a great one mon!

 

[poypoyking]

That Indian Carbon Bhut is still such a nice looking plant. That one might have to make it on the list for next year. I love what you did with the drip irrigation, ingenious.

 

[Devv]

I must have missed it somewhere around the pool with all that plant action going on, where is the sign that reads “NO CANON BALLS ALLOWED” Hope your Yellow Brain gets better soon … have a great one mon!

There's nothing wrong with the pump, it's green so no one will use it...lol

 

[STEVE954]

Outstanding pool decorations, Shane! Glad to stop in to see some racy pod porn shots! Belize City bonnets! 4 section pods already!

 

[stc3248]

BWAHAHAHahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Those photos of Porter are awesome.

The photo of the Birgit's is quite dismaying....I think you need to trim them back a little, or a lot

Haha...I'll get right on the trimming...

Beautiful stuff here, Shane. Porter is a handsome dog, don't give him no grief,

So how big does a Birgit's git???

Jessee...I dunno how big they CAN get??? Kevin that sent the seeds to the contestants has a pic of one over 10' I would say. Hoping to push these past that??? We'll have to see.

My god Shane, the Birgits are insane already, I might as well just trash mine

Thanks Jamison, I sure am proud of them, but what they do in my grow room and what happens now that they're outside are two different things...I still have a ton of time to screw them up!

Nice update as usual Shane !!! Everything is looking great.

I'm still waiting for some warmer nights here. Still getting frost at night but the forecast looks promising.

Yeah...I think I looked up your last frost date and it should be around now. Won't be long for sure. Thanks for the compliments!

Lol, Porter cracks me up....Like my dogs, I can hear him saying "Dad why do you spend so much time with those dumbass peppers...I'm way more fun, and 10 times cuter!"

I'm digging the rainbow pots and the drip system...You're gonna have some AJ-level production this year!

The THP skaters will want to know...Does your pool bowl out on the deep end, or is it square? We need a place to get together!

Pool would be just OK for skating...has the stone lip and although the bottom to side bend is pretty smooth, the corners at the end sweep a bit too quick. The rainbow pots don't drain quite well enough for right now, but I think once the temps go up and the humidity down this summer they'll be the ticket!

Ooooooohh! I like how you did the drip system. I am sure to need something like that for my (soon to be) bucket brigade (not as purdy as tropical pool side pots).

Porter sure is giving you the stink eye. Better watch your six. Ha ha! Better spend some quality time with that pup. Such a cutie!!!

Michelle

Michelle, glad you like the system! Hope it helps out. I have learned some lessons the last couple years about it and I still have some to learn. If you need and advice just let me know!

I must have missed it somewhere around the pool with all that plant action going on, where is the sign that reads “NO CANON BALLS ALLOWED” Hope your Yellow Brain gets better soon … have a great one mon!

Haha...the pool doesn't see much use. My daughters still catch some rays out there, and my son and his friends do swim a bit, but not without dad out there yelling not to splash the plants!!!! I have a spare Yellow Brain...so no sweat! I think it's gonna be fine, I took the drip pan off the bottom and fluffed the soil a bit today. If she doesn't respond...I'll set her on fire with the other plants watching as a warning to them all...

That Indian Carbon Bhut is still such a nice looking plant. That one might have to make it on teh list for next year. I love what you did with the drip irrigation, ingenious.

Thanks Poy! All credit to John (Pr0digal_Son) for the genetics on that bad boy. Every leaf is perfectly shaped and spaced on that plant. It is making me look good...not the other way around! I will post up ample pod shots once they get a bit bigger...(yeah, there are some little ones on there )

There's nothing wrong with the pump, it's green so no one will use it...lol

It was actually the diaphragm for the vacuum that was bad, I replaced it and cleaned the filter...oh and dumped about $50 worth of chems in there and look what happened! Looks even better today! Not a bad thought though...hmmmmm.

Outstanding pool decorations, Shane! Glad to stop in to see some racy pod porn shots! Belize City bonnets! 4 section pods already!

Ya Mon...I sure can't wait to sample that bonnet! It will be a while...forever really, before its ripe...but that will just make it sweeter!

OK...for all the Porter comments he is a ham. He is taken care of better than me!!! He's 12 and still a pup at heart. He limps on a previous broken hip from time to time, but throw a ball and there is no limp in him. I don't throw it that often, and when I do I toss it at him so he can catch it and try to kill it...without killing himself. Here is how he usually looks...

Cheese!

Why the heck is there a screen in this hole???

C'mon dad...who's your favorite??? We both know it's me...

Haha!!! Too much time on here...got to go for now, c-ya folks!
Shane

 

[stickman]

Wow Shane, Love the drip irrigation setup! How much did it set you back out of curiousity? I'd like to put together something similar in my backyard.

You've got baby pods already... flower garden in... Corn planted?!!! No surprise really, but happy for you and your Lady. That's gotta feel good. Have a happy Easter!

 

[Barley-pop57]

Nice list of plants. Really like your light set up !!!! Cool dog and hope you go virus free this year !!!

 

[stc3248]

Wow Shane, Love the drip irrigation setup! How much did it set you back out of curiousity? I'd like to put together something similar in my backyard.

You've got baby pods already... flower garden in... Corn planted?!!! No surprise really, but happy for you and your Lady. That's gotta feel good. Have a happy Easter!

The drip system is REALLY cheap Rick! All the pieces cost $30-$50 depending on how fancy you get. plus the cost of the timer. I use 1gph drippers in the 5-10# pots and loop of soaker hose in the big pots. Really easy to do to, and its quick. I set up two 100' lines, one dedicated to peppers and the other is for the perdies with a two station hose timer. I used one filter/pressure regulator before the timer so it works on both lines. You can do without the timer if you are out and about in the garden every day to turn on the line when they need a drink, or even tie it into an existing sprinkler system...Highly recommended. I am also going to put in an inline feeder...usually one of the fancy spensive parts, but I have an old liquid fert hose applicator that will work. Will post pics once I get that done.

Nice list of plants. Really like your light set up !!!! Cool dog and hope you go virus free this year !!!

Thanks BP!!! Welcome to the jungle! The list is pretty close to accurate...I think. I will list the plants that made the cut once they're all outside. I have a ton more to get rid of. Just no more room!!!

 

[RocketMan]

Really nice set up Shane, I'm going to start collecting the parts for a drip system. Having to go out and water a couple of times a week is getting old and I only have 5 pots now, when the babies get into their 3 gallon homes it's really going to get old. Plants are looking good and they pool looks ready for some laps. I think if you take Porter out for a nice little, I mean LITTLE run he'll be a happy camper again.

 

[Mrjohnstonbaugh]

Plants look fantastic!

Strange question, and it may have been in the Glog... but with 27 pages I may have missed it. Where did you get the pots from? My girlfriend is getting sick of the standard black buckets. I figure something pretty might make her hate my plants less.

 

[stickman]

Thanks for the info Shane. It can't happen this year because money's so tight, but I can probably start acquiring the parts a few at a time until I have enough to rig up the system.

 

[stc3248]

Plants look fantastic!

Strange question, and it may have been in the Glog... but with 27 pages I may have missed it. Where did you get the pots from? My girlfriend is getting sick of the standard black buckets. I figure something pretty might make her hate my plants less.

Geez...27 pages how did that happen??? The pots are from Walmart...its working on my lady. She likes how they look around the yard. I have a couple hundred 5-7# black nursery containers, and she's upset I used a few. She'll get over it. I am going to move those pots where they are out of sight, and then maybe she won't notice when I plant 10 more in them over there.

Really nice set up Shane, I'm going to start collecting the parts for a drip system. Having to go out and water a couple of times a week is getting old and I only have 5 pots now, when the babies get into their 3 gallon homes it's really going to get old. Plants are looking good and they pool looks ready for some laps. I think if you take Porter out for a nice little, I mean LITTLE run he'll be a happy camper again.

Still learning myself, but if you need any input on the lessons I've learned just give me a shout! Porter can still run, and does, but he'll limp for a bit afterward so I get him in the pool and swim him back and forth. In his youth he would dive to the bottom at 5' to retrieve the tennis balls he popped and dropped. He might have been able to make it to the bottom of the deep end, but I was always afraid he'd hurt his ears.

Thanks for the info Shane. It can't happen this year because money's so tight, but I can probably start acquiring the parts a few at a time until I have enough to rig up the system.

No problem Rick! They really are fairly inexpensive, but stuff can sure add up. It's a good investment though. Saves plants and water in the long run. Give me a holler when you get at it and I will share any info I can.

Shane

 

[Devv]

Yo dude,

Happy Easter!

Scott

 

[sicman]

you give porter a big ol hug from sicman. whos a good boy?

 

[StupidJerk]

I am so far behind. Those are some beautiful plants and beautiful dogs. I looked through the pictures, but didn't read it all. I'll have to catch up later. Looks like things are going great! Wow!

 

[Sanarda]

Love the pics of Porter. Peppers around the pool. You live like a king my good man