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

 

[sicman]

glad you decided to "update" today     awesome pod pic,then you want to get all crazy with some food porn.  i need to see them finished and plated!      

 

[millworkman]

That one is a lot closer. Leaf shape is pretty spot on as well.

 

[wildseed57]

took a look at that last pepper the Belies scotch bonnet looks like it would have some bite to it.
I went and watered to day as every thing was needing water, I'll be glad when my tomatoes and pepper start producing
then went out to the cemetery to talk to a old friend, then headed home for a cold one.
I bought some Batteries, so I will be posting pics of my Birgit's Locoto soon and perhaps the rest of the garden.
I found another rat hole. so I will soon have Rat Rocks, the quick set cement mixed with corn meal and powdered sugar makes quick work with them.
Yeah I'm looking forward to trying the Infinity pods along with the others, I'll be all healed up by then so I'll be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Right now the Doc has me on baby food and I'm going through withdraws from not eating anything spicy.

 

[stc3248]

glad you decided to "update" today     awesome pod pic,then you want to get all crazy with some food porn.  i need to see them finished and plated!      

You wish is almost my command siccy!
 
 

That one is a lot closer. Leaf shape is pretty spot on as well.

Well fingers crossed my friend...and lets hope not the pepper!
 
 

took a look at that last pepper the Belies scotch bonnet looks like it would have some bite to it.
I went and watered to day as every thing was needing water, I'll be glad when my tomatoes and pepper start producing
then went out to the cemetery to talk to a old friend, then headed home for a cold one.
I bought some Batteries, so I will be posting pics of my Birgit's Locoto soon and perhaps the rest of the garden.
I found another rat hole. so I will soon have Rat Rocks, the quick set cement mixed with corn meal and powdered sugar makes quick work with them.
Yeah I'm looking forward to trying the Infinity pods along with the others, I'll be all healed up by then so I'll be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Right now the Doc has me on baby food and I'm going through withdraws from not eating anything spicy.

Well get the batteries and get 'em uploaded WS!!! Had a couple cold ones today myself, in spite of the diet...
 
So the ribs and chicken are actually for a BBQ on Wednesday after our Unit's final softball game of the season...but the rest is diet food Shane style!!! Here are the pics from the grill today...

Tilapia and Swai for marinating...
 

Sirloin is the only steak I'm "allowed" to eat...and then only once a day, so I do it as right as sirloin can be done!!! Almost ready for the grill...
 

Also going on are some Bonnets, Tomatoes, Goat's Weed, Yellow Cardis, PI438638, Onions and Garlic...sauted with a little olive oil...
 

Did I mention corn and turkey brats???
 

The fish, steak and sausages all done...
 

Here are the Baby Backs all done up...I will finish on the grill at the bbq...(I may even eat a few)
 

Close up...
 

and finally the birds...also to be finished on the grill at the BBQ on Wednesday...
 
aight...final update I promise! This one was Sic's fault!!!
Shane

 

[Spicegeist]

That looks great, hope you had some heat for it too.

 

[stc3248]

That looks great, hope you had some heat for it too.

 
 
I sure did!!! Forgot my golden rule, always tie the food to pepper in the grow log...Aside from the obvious with the sauteed peppers/onions. The BBQ Sauce is my own Smoked Yellow Bhut/Manzano. The Beef and Pork got hit with the Red Lantern Hab Hot Salt as a rub while the chicken and fish got hit with some Scotch Bonnet Hot Salt...those sauteed peppers on top of the rubs/seasonings used were just right and had sweat beading on my forehead...and even a couple hiccups! I got a big bag full of Jals to pop for Wednesday's BBQ too...Thanks for stoppin in SG! 

 

[sicman]

ok,i have the horse all saddled and packed.  see you tomorrow,make sure you save some of them ribs 

 

[stickman]

Lovin' the vid Shane... the monsker Manzano especially! Quite the "Bobby Q" spread this weekend. I hope you got a little of everything and D@#& the diet!
 
 
Still waiting for summer to pull the pin here, but I hope to catch up to you in a month or so. Cheers!

 

[WalkGood]

… Come on over Ramon! I'll leave the light on! …

Thank you … it’s very tempting, happen to see the fish taco again this morning and my stomach is grumbling … now I’m starving, awesome! I love fish tacos … keep up dem great foodies brethren!
 

… I have so far! BBQing the afternoon away! I even snuck me a beer...or two.

Looking forward to seeing your BBQ shots if you got some, we did ribs, corn, fruit salad and baked beans. I only took a few shots but haven’t DL’d or upped them yet.
 

… The Cardi is a must add! One of my favs! …

I’ll second you on that, they tasty great!!!!
 

… Couple pics and a short vid of how things look out there …

Great pics & video, totally enjoyed dem!
 

… Hooked up the fertigation to the drip system...this feeds the container plants. I will refill every few weeks. The timer is now at 7 minutes every 24hrs. In a month it will be 7 every 12 …

Great job on the auto feeder, what are you using to feed them thru it? Will concentrate tea work fine thru it? Also what are you using the MG continuous feed fert on and how do you like it?
 

… The Red Robin Tomatoes are really impressive...for those of you with balcony/windowsill grows this one is a good one! …

Agreed they do look awesome!
 

… Belize City Bonnets...this is one HOT Bonnet! I mean WOWCH!!! Pools of oil in this sucker! Sweet, citrus unmistakably Chinense but not brutally/bitterly so. Seed count is about 20 per pod...This one is yet another must each year! …

Wow … love da look and pics can’t wait to try one of dem, great job on dat grow Shane!!!
 

… Heck...maybe 60??? I dunno? How many you count Ramon? …

Holy pepper seed production PepperMon, Wow 60!!!! Their color & size are great!!!
 

… Here's a quick vid of the plants. ..

Great job on the video, awesome update … have a great week mon!
 
ROFLMAO, I was working on my reply from your previous page and when I go to post ... up come these awesome BBQ pics ... dam you've got me so hungry that I'm not leaving to eat after this post, great work awesome work!!!

 

[PIC 1]

Send some of that sunshine my way, my plants are praying for it. I can't believe how dense looking your plants are. Have you pinched the tops off ? If I remember right you trimmed P-Son's Indian Carbon, that plants probably taking on a shrub shape by now.

Nice plate shot of peppers and of course "Dinner at Shane's"..........love those outdoor foodie shots . Glad the bonnets have the heat and oil this early. I'll have to show my son those photo's, if not for him and his gal we wouldn't be growing them.

Always a pleasure checking this glog out.

 

[DocNrock]

Glad to hear you all had a good time.  That BCSB looks great.  And plenty of seeds to get things going next year. 

 

[koskorgul]

Everything looking good, Food looks awesome.

 

[Spicegeist]

 
 
I sure did!!! Forgot my golden rule, always tie the food to pepper in the grow log...Aside from the obvious with the sauteed peppers/onions. The BBQ Sauce is my own Smoked Yellow Bhut/Manzano. The Beef and Pork got hit with the Red Lantern Hab Hot Salt as a rub while the chicken and fish got hit with some Scotch Bonnet Hot Salt...those sauteed peppers on top of the rubs/seasonings used were just right and had sweat beading on my forehead...and even a couple hiccups! I got a big bag full of Jals to pop for Wednesday's BBQ too...Thanks for stoppin in SG! 

 
I've been letting my two C. pubescens languish in 1-gallon pots, I may just pot them up soon... the idea of making some sauce out of them has me intrigued.

 

[romy6]

 Nice vid Shane. My kind of redneck music All the grub looks tatsy( not a bad diet at all) and the plants look tall. Never had any luck with corn. Looks like you are having good luck though. Keep it sunny brotha. Love the yellow cardi looks just like momma
 
 Thanks for your service sir

 

[MGOLD86]

Looking great man! Love the garden walk through, you definitely have a few monsters!

 

[Devv]

Excellent video!
 
I just started listening to country in the last 18 months, actually Chris Young on the music server now, did recognize Kenny there, old die hard rocker here...but slowing down LOL..
Plants look wonderful! you're going to be in pod heaven real soon
Foodies...damn! Now I just want the rest of the week off to cook! It rained this weekend and everything was so wet I didn't even fire up the pit.
 
Good job buddy!

 

[koskorgul]

Excellent video!
 
I just started listening to country in the last 18 months, actually Chris Young on the music server now, did recognize Kenny there, old die hard rocker here...but slowing down LOL..
Plants look wonderful! you're going to be in pod heaven real soon
Foodies...damn! Now I just want the rest of the week off to cook! It rained this weekend and everything was so wet I didn't even fire up the pit.
 
Good job buddy!

Slowing down???
I'm a rocker, dude through and through. Here's my favorite bands: AC/DC, Van Halen, not Van Hagar, Skynyrd, Def Lep (what movie) LOL

 

[RocketMan]

Whew, my turn to play catch up. Plants are looking great Shane and  your getting some really beautiful pods. Reminds me I have to find a good Jalapeno that will work good for poppers. Have you had the Red Zebra tomatoes before? I'm just getting started with them and have heard great things about the Black Krims. They're supposed to make great Sun-Dried tomatoes too. BTW, I followed your recipe for a batch of smoked Haba-Peno powder and man it's even better than the last batch. Thanks for posting that up!
 
Have a great weekend

 

[stc3248]

ok,i have the horse all saddled and packed.  see you tomorrow,make sure you save some of them ribs 

Damn siccy...missed you at the BBQ! Haha...it turned out good. Good BBQ is hard to find in Cali, and the folks I cooked for were freaking amazed! Even got a few of the locals to try some smoked Brain Strain Hot Salt  funniest thing I have seen in a while! Made about 4 dozen poppers too, gone before I finished cooking. Didn't even get a chance to take a plating photo. Two softball teams can put down some food!
 
 

Lovin' the vid Shane... the monsker Manzano especially! Quite the "Bobby Q" spread this weekend. I hope you got a little of everything and D@#& the diet!
 
 
Still waiting for summer to pull the pin here, but I hope to catch up to you in a month or so. Cheers!

Glad to see those warm temps for you guys this weekend. We'll be tickling tripple digits in my area tomorrow. Thinking 96ish...pods are ripening up quick and the plants aren't minding the temps yet at all. Of course in spite of the mid 90s days, the nights are still in the upper 50s. 
 
 

Thank you … it’s very tempting, happen to see the fish taco again this morning and my stomach is grumbling … now I’m starving, awesome! I love fish tacos … keep up dem great foodies brethren!
 
Looking forward to seeing your BBQ shots if you got some, we did ribs, corn, fruit salad and baked beans. I only took a few shots but haven’t DL’d or upped them yet.
 
I’ll second you on that, they tasty great!!!!
 
Great pics & video, totally enjoyed dem!
 
Great job on the auto feeder, what are you using to feed them thru it? Will concentrate tea work fine thru it? Also what are you using the MG continuous feed fert on and how do you like it?
 
Agreed they do look awesome!
 
Wow … love da look and pics can’t wait to try one of dem, great job on dat grow Shane!!!
 
Holy pepper seed production PepperMon, Wow 60!!!! Their color & size are great!!!
 
Great job on the video, awesome update … have a great week mon!
 
ROFLMAO, I was working on my reply from your previous page and when I go to post ... up come these awesome BBQ pics ... dam you've got me so hungry that I'm not leaving to eat after this post, great work awesome work!!!

Haha...I went on update overload last weekend. Give me three days and I am trouble on here! Ha...happens to me too. Post up a question or two only to see they answered it before I posted on some glogs. Wonder who will hit 100 pages first this year??? 'Cause its gonna happen! Thanks for all the awesome compliments! Means a lot from a master grower and cook such at yourself!
 
 

Send some of that sunshine my way, my plants are praying for it. I can't believe how dense looking your plants are. Have you pinched the tops off ? If I remember right you trimmed P-Son's Indian Carbon, that plants probably taking on a shrub shape by now.

Nice plate shot of peppers and of course "Dinner at Shane's"..........love those outdoor foodie shots . Glad the bonnets have the heat and oil this early. I'll have to show my son those photo's, if not for him and his gal we wouldn't be growing them.

Always a pleasure checking this glog out.

How is the weather Greg? Looks like you all have been getting some storms??? Sucks Spicy Chicken had another catastrophe just north of you. Ughhh, that dude has some terrible luck. Those Bonnets are the Bee's Knees! Super productive, great flavor, early production and   !!! Thank your boy for me for sure!
 
 

Glad to hear you all had a good time.  That BCSB looks great.  And plenty of seeds to get things going next year. 

Hey Brent...haven't been over to your glog in a spell, will need to check it out tonight! It is a great plant for sure, and good seed count for early pods to boot. Plenty of seeds for myself...and hopefully MANY others to kick off with in '14!
 
 

Everything looking good, Food looks awesome.

Thanks! It was too good as I mentioned earlier...I didn't get any of the chicken and only got some ribs because I squirreled some away!
 
 

 
I've been letting my two C. pubescens languish in 1-gallon pots, I may just pot them up soon... the idea of making some sauce out of them has me intrigued.

Give them babies some new shoes! Those pubes sure do need/take up a ton of space! Such great unique looking plants, great flower shows and a one of a kind taste with about the perfect long lasting burn. That BBQ sauce is amazing. Those two peppers marry up well, I am going to try some cucumber salsa with the Manzanos this year as well, think that will rock!
 
 

 Nice vid Shane. My kind of redneck music All the grub looks tatsy( not a bad diet at all) and the plants look tall. Never had any luck with corn. Looks like you are having good luck though. Keep it sunny brotha. Love the yellow cardi looks just like momma
 
 Thanks for your service sir

I haven't had too much luck with corn in small spaces...we'll see how this does. think I should have squeezed another row or two into that little garden. It's really taking off though, just have to hope it gets good polination. The wind moves the same direction most of the time here, so I expect better production on one end??? The Yellow Cardi is a rock star! I pulled these seeds from the perfect pod you sent me last year, and I am a bit concerned none have taken on the perfect Scorpion shape yet, but it's still early. Flavor is spot on and those little dudes are HOT so I ain't sweatin 'em unless I'm eaten 'em!!!
 
 

Looking great man! Love the garden walk through, you definitely have a few monsters!

They're growing like weeds! Thanks Matt! Good to have you back home brotha!!!
 
 
Had a rough week at work...so I didn't get on here as much as I would have liked. I promise I'll get by y'all's stuff! I am trying a new alternative to flickr or photobucket called imgur so we'll see how user friendly it is during this post...
 
The bonus this week was the weather...mid 80s to low 90's and finishing up with today and tomorrow in the mid to upper 90s nothing but sunshine...and the plants are LOVING it! I finally got around to counting the "20" plants I was aiming at planting out...54 total pepper plants...and 6 tomatoes, but since two of the big containers have 3 plants each in them, its only 50 pepper containers is that better???  

Here is the back row of plants. The shrub in front is the Trinidad Scorpion Moruga from Bakers followed by the Yellow Cardi Scorpion from Jamie...followed by a yellow brain...followed by ummmm, some more plants!
 

Same corner looking west...the 15 gallon next to the Moruga is the 7 Pot Congo SR (CMPMAN 1974 via Pr0digal_son)
 

Porter sitting by the two big boys looking thrilled and mumbling something under his breath...
 

The Moruga is starting to put on some gnarly pods now...
 

Another one...loading up with pods right now and they're gonna be nice and big and really terrible!
 

The Jamaican Scotch Bonnet from Greg (Pic1) is putting on some cool looking pods too!
 

Bubble gum anyone??? First pods forming ALL over this bad boy! This was a VERY late start that I couldn't help but add when Denniz was kind enough to share!
 

Porter's favorite "Freakin Bhut Jolokia Indian Carbon" (Pr0digal_son) has been really picky about setting pods, but I finally came home to dozens of these little dudes on here! This plant is going to produce some crazy #s!
 

The Manzano went from dropping everything...to trying to set a couple to covered up in little pods! Such fun plants to grow!
 

And today's harvest...three Cardi Scorpions, two Yellow Billy Boy Douglahs, 7 Belize City Scotch Bonnets and a handful each of the (not)PI438638s and Goat's Weeds!
 
Will answer the rest of the mail tomorrow and get to some more pics! Have a great weekend folks!
Shane

 

[Dshlogg]

Great vid my brotha! Pics just can't put a garden into perspective like a video can. Man your birgits will be like redwoods at this rate. That Rocoto is a strait up beast. It would take 2 years to grow one like that up here. I love how all your plants by the pool have their little ornamental sidekicks. I see that beer bottle has become a permanent fixture with your inground birgits. Nice touch. Great looking yard man!