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

HillBilly Jeff · Jan 29, 2013

Plants are looking good.

stc3248 · Jan 29, 2013

PIC 1 said:
Great camera shots. The germ rates are right on par. Give it some time and the percentages will go up. I almost gave up on a tray of seeds that was one of the first planted. They are all popping up a few at a time each day. I,ve got some Goats Weeds coming up to the first set of trues. Me and my magnifying glass.......I 'm checking them out for looking for that fuzzy appearence every day..........
Keep cool dude!

Thanks Greg...I hope you're right about the germ rates. Still getting one to pop here and there. I am the same way with the inspections. I look at each node for signs of growth. Your GW will fuzz up quickly, happy to say that in spite of the different seed source this year my Goat's Weeds are already taking on a similar growth habit to last year's plants... :pray:

I was happy to read your lighting setup on your glog this year. I am doing very similar running the two shelves on alternating cycles for the very reason you are so that they get direct then indirect light. I am not running them as long as you, but I think I may be putting down more lumens per square inch. Did the math and my top 2x4 shelf and I am at 49,200 lumens my bottom shelf it at about 40,000. When both are on its like looking at the sun! Seems to be doing just fine so far...I may even have to cut them back before plant out to keep them from outgrowing my room.

Chewi said:
Thanks for the feedback! Going to get me some for sure now. Sounds like a winner!

You're welcome Chewi! If all else fails you can PM me and I'll send you a few!

romy6 said:
Just another amazing grow Shane. I think this one may hit 100,000 views if you keep up the stellar updates. Really glad to see you have decided to keep the mystery annuum going too. Let me know if you need anymore seeds Yeah the wife wouldn't like me for that

Thanks Jamie...but I doubt it. By this time last year I think I was on page 33! What momma don't know won't hurt her :shh:

! I have plenty and hopefully will be able to actually save some of my own seed this year to boot!

Beehunter said:
Lookin awesome shane! Awesome camera work!

Thanks! I'm still learning the photography part...but I'm getting better at it! To be honest, until I get a Macro lens I may go back to using the point and shoot...I can focus at just an inch or two with that thing...

RocketMan said:
Potato pot, Shane, your not working on the secret Yellow 7 X Idaho Russett project are you?

DocNrock said:
So secret, it grows underground.

I warned you guys...now hide if people in suits visit! Doc, I think I got your Devil's Tongue Whites for you...he's supposed to mail them to me tomorrow. Original seed source is Silver Surfer, don't know if they're op or not??? Guy I am getting them from planted 8 and sprouted 8 so sounds promising!

WalkGood said:
Shane you guys and all your indoor gear grow some amazing stuff and it grows so rapidly … totally impressive mon!!! They look very healthy and great pics too

You weren't supposed to tell anyone :0

It amazes me too. I hadn't grown under lights until last year. The results are amazing, and with the floros the electric bill doesn't jump too much. I am spending about $30 a month to keep my grow room up and running. If you had a few you were really struggling to get going you could make a mini setup like mine for pretty cheap! C'mon...all the cool kids are doing it!

stickman said:
Ant what a long strange trip it's been... Good on ya for sticking with it Shane.

WalkGood said:
I’m sure they’re ecstatic you made it home as many here are as well

Thanks fellas! Only three more years till I can retire! I probably won't for a while though...

Bodeen said:
Plants are looking good.

Thanks Bodeen, good of you to stop by!

Well I had to make a trip home to pick up some crap for work and snapped a couple pics just for giggles. They're really taking off now! A couple before and afters to start with...

Taken three days ago...

Today...

Three days ago...

Today!

Two days ago...

Today!

...and look what I have here! Hopefully the real deal this year!!! So freakin stoked one popped!

Here is the undercarriage of one of the Numex Centennials

Same for an Explosive Ember...

and finally the newest noobs...couple Jamie mysteries, couple Ajis, a manzano, Tepin/pequin, ummm and some other stuff!

Gotta go dinner time!
Take Care!
Shane

DocNrock · Jan 29, 2013

Great update, man! From the previous update, glad to see at least one BP is up. Come on, HP22B...and more BP's!

Thanks again for the seed connection, bro! I had seed from pods I got from S_S via Coheed, but they were sparse. Wondering if perhaps my pods ripened off the plant and the seed was immature. Anyway, stoked to be getting them. Thanks again!

stickman · Jan 30, 2013

Lots happening at Casa de Shane... lovin' the pics dude! If you've gotten past the mottle virus I think this year's harvest may surpass last year's. Here's hoping!

Beehunter · Jan 30, 2013

Shane that branching is awesome wow. your three day growth also looks inside! keep it up!

Sanarda · Jan 30, 2013

Shane you are rocking it out. The babies look super healthy and are growing like weeds :rofl:

stc3248 · Jan 30, 2013

DocNrock said:
Great update, man! From the previous update, glad to see at least one BP is up. Come on, HP22B...and more BP's!

Thanks again for the seed connection, bro! I had seed from pods I got from S_S via Coheed, but they were sparse. Wondering if perhaps my pods ripened off the plant and the seed was immature. Anyway, stoked to be getting them. Thanks again!

I know right??? Those damn things are getting the right love now. So no excuses! Them the Primos and Brains I replanted need to each pop at least 1! :pray:

stickman said:
Lots happening at Casa de Shane... lovin' the pics dude! If you've gotten past the mottle virus I think this year's harvest may surpass last year's. Here's hoping!

I dunno about surpassing...I'll be satisfied with on par if the plants stay healthy. I will have far fewer, but some will be in bigger pots so I've got my fingers crossed!

Beehunter said:
Shane that branching is awesome wow. your three day growth also looks inside! keep it up!

The ornamentals sure make it look easy! Most impressed with the PI438638! The secondary growth is crazy now...pics soon.

Sanarda said:
Shane you are rocking it out. The babies look super healthy and are growing like weeds

Thanks Pia! I took some special pics for you today!!!

Was feeling a bit under the weather, so took the day off! :whistle:

Next step to operation "happy mama" is clearing the freezers. Sooo...I broke out two gallon bags of pods.

First was Red Lanterns...these dudes are destined for some hot-salt seasoning blend.

Next, I figured out what hell frozen over looks like!

Primos baby...lightly smoked powder for these dudes.

Mmmmm...Like little deathcicles.

Added that smokey goodness...and into the dehydrator for a day or two.

Getting there! But that shelf is two deep and there are actually 10 gallon bags in there...The door has another 5 or six gallons I think but many are in smaller bags so hard to tell. Good news is the other freezer is pepper free! :woohoo:

Here is a perdy...its a Christmas Cactus that belongs to my son, but for some reason I end up taking care of??? :crazy:

Now for the Pia pics!

Gotta be careful moving pots around...this is just a relatively harmless wolf spider...

but this little girl playing dead is a Brown Widow...they're freaking everywhere! Same red hour glass as their bigger badder cousins the Black Widow.

Poked at her a couple times and she woke up!

Will give a step by step on my powder process once they're done drying. Thanks for checking in everyone!
Shane

WalkGood · Jan 30, 2013

Kick azz brah! Summed up in one word "Exquisiteness," little seedlings looking great & da predy flower of the xmas cactus (btw I take care of mama’s, hehe), hell frozen over, freezer full of Da Kine hot fruit and to top it all off spiders FTW!!! I be looking forward to your powder process ^_^

DocNrock · Jan 30, 2013

Awesome pics, Shane! Love it: "Hell frozen over" and "deathcicles!" Freezer FULL of pods! Nice!

I had forgotten all about Brown Widows. From Wikipedia:

"Like all Latrodectus species, L. geometricus has a neurotoxic venom that, drop for drop, is as toxic as the black widow's. However, brown widow bites are usually not very dangerous; usually much less dangerous than the black widow's. Brown widow venom is twice as potent as black widow venom, but is usually confined to the bite area and surrounding tissue, as opposed to the black widow's. Mere toxicity of the poison is not the only factor in dangerousness. Brown widow bites are minor compared to black widow bites, because they cannot deliver the same amount of venom as the black widow."

Note to self: Be careful moving pots around.

Spicegeist · Jan 30, 2013

Whoa, was that a bag of chiltepins in there?

stc3248 · Jan 30, 2013

WalkGood said:
Kick azz brah! Summed up in one word "Exquisiteness," little seedlings looking great & da predy flower of the xmas cactus (btw I take care of mama’s, hehe), hell frozen over, freezer full of Da Kine hot fruit and to top it all off spiders FTW!!! I be looking forward to your powder process ^_^

Thanks man...seedlings growing are great, but gotta mix is up now and then! Freezer is hardly full, but there are a good few still in there! Might actually buy a chest freezer this year.

DocNrock said:
Awesome pics, Shane! Love it: "Hell frozen over" and "deathcicles!" Freezer FULL of pods! Nice!

I had forgotten all about Brown Widows. From Wikipedia:

"Like all Latrodectus species, L. geometricus has a neurotoxic venom that, drop for drop, is as toxic as the black widow's. However, brown widow bites are usually not very dangerous; usually much less dangerous than the black widow's. Brown widow venom is twice as potent as black widow venom, but is usually confined to the bite area and surrounding tissue, as opposed to the black widow's. Mere toxicity of the poison is not the only factor in dangerousness. Brown widow bites are minor compared to black widow bites, because they cannot deliver the same amount of venom as the black widow."

Note to self: Be careful moving pots around.

Yeah man...they're out there by the hundreds down here. Got the Black Widows too. Not too bothered by spiders, but it will make you look twice. I made the mistake of making a few Primo Poppers last year...took pictures, but a video would have really captured that moment!

Spicegeist said:
Whoa, was that a bag of chiltepins in there?

Sure is! Third shelf up in the door. Second from the top there are some Bird Aji (wild brazil)s..I already powdered two bags each. They are great little plants, but not so much fun to pick. I may grow all my wilds on a table this year to save the back a bit.

Thanks for chekin in fellas!

Almost forgot to mention...I put down seeds for some different Tepins, Charapita Yellows and Bahamian Goat peppers today...oh and some "mystery black" seeds...oh and some more Explosive Embers...and some more Numex Centennials...Think that was all??? :shh:

DocNrock · Jan 30, 2013

^^^ I don't think you've reached your pre-set limit of plants yet.

And I remember reading about the Primo poppers. You're a braver man than me!

highalt · Jan 30, 2013

Wow, I can't believe how fast your new babies are growing!!! I feel so behind ...

Also, seeing your freezer makes me determined to be better about freezing the excess pods this year. Last year, I lost probably 30% of my final harvest because I was under the delusion that I would actually have time to process all those pods in the middle of school soccer and football season! Now that I see they can be thawed and dehydrated at a later date, I am not going to wait till it's too late. I used to freeze the extra, but didn't like the texture of the frozen pods for cooking, but it looks like the way to go if I'm using them for powder.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Sanarda · Jan 30, 2013

Thanks for the warning Shane. I flew by those pics :confused:

I have never seen so many peppers fit into one freezer before. You are a packing king. 10 gallon bags?? That is so excellent. You had to clean out the freezer so you will have room this coming season. Unless you were going to buy another freezer :rofl:

RocketMan · Jan 31, 2013

Shane, I just saw you posted in the TD thread, are you in this month? Awesome!

I dont have any Chilitepins but I have a Thai Short that puts out those little firecracker hot peppers. I've been trying to save up enough to take a shot at a Thai Hot Sauce but with only 1 plant it's taking forever. fortunitly, I have 6 more coming up now to join the one I already have so this summer I'm hoping to be able to "Get er done"

romy6 · Jan 31, 2013

Amazing Shane. I will warn Pia to stay away

Time to sell some tasty powders my friend!!!!!!

compmodder26 · Jan 31, 2013

Another fantastic update Shane. I love your freezer shots. Man o man you had a great yield last year, even with your setbacks. Can't wait to see how that smoked Primo powder turns out.

Spicy Chicken · Jan 31, 2013

Just spent the better part of an hour catching up on your log, and gotta say Shane; very impressive.
Love the grow room and ingenuity with the light, fan, magnets ect.
Plants are looking healthy and happy, Got your poop in a group don’t you?
Food looked super delicious and looks like you’re not the only family member who likes the spicy foods.
Need to get around here more often, I’d say keep up the great work but that’s a given!!

Cheers -Jeff

stc3248 · Jan 31, 2013

Sprout alert! 1 Brain, 1 Yellow Brain and 1 more Manzano!!! :dance:

Here are a couple of the powder pics from this morning...started with 1.5 gallon bags of frozen Red Lantern Habs and 1 gallon bag of frozen Primos. The Red Lanterns are destined for some Hot Salts the Primo is gonna be smoked powder...

The before shot...

Primos look so innocent like this...but notice all the smudge marks on the screen? Thats the oil that was dripping from these dudes yesterday after smoking them.

Here are the red lanterns...

a couple must haves...

Ventilation if working indoors. Box fan pointed outwards...

and a mask...or since I was out of them in this case a t shirt tied around my face. tucked the makeshift mask into the neck of the t shirt I was wearing for some added protection.

Primos first to prevent mixing in the other seasonings added for the hot salts...

First I flake them stems, seeds and all in the FP for about a minute....

Then into the coffee grinder on the largest and finest settings for 3 cycles...

The finished powder...they sure don't go far. 1 gallon of frozen pods gets you this??? Supers have very thin flesh so they don't offer up much on the far end when grinding them up. Tasted it and WOW!!! :flamethrower:

Punched me right in the tonsils with a fiery fist. No joke powder right there! Great sweet flavor with a very nice kick!

Same initial process with the Red Lanterns. Once you've done the initial flake add your seasonings. Mine are 1 cup salt, 3 tbs onion powder and 1 tbs garlic powder. Hit it in the FP for about a minute (much of the salt will settle to the bottom, more on that in a minute) then grind on the coarse setting of the coffee grinder for just one cycle a small amount at a time (mine has an auto shutoff that adjusts the time it runs based on your selections). Once complete pour the entire batch back in the FP and run it for another minute because much of the salt will be in the last few batches you grind...this will ensure even flavor throughout the bag.

Which looks like this...D-Freakin-Licious!!! Hot but not terrible and makes a great table seasoning anyone can use without being too scared.

By the way...a really good blender will eliminate steps 2 through Y and leave you with only steps 1 and Z. Put it all in, grind...done. Maybe one day I'll buy a good one.

More pics and how-to posted in my powder gallery here:
http://thehotpepper....der-time-again/

DocNrock said:
^^^ I don't think you've reached your pre-set limit of plants yet. And I remember reading about the Primo poppers. You're a braver man than me!

Lol...what mama don't know may hurt me later. Easy to hide sprouts...once I start putting plants outside there'll be no hiding it! Primo popper rematch if I am lucky this year!

highalt said:
Wow, I can't believe how fast your new babies are growing!!! I feel so behind ...

Also, seeing your freezer makes me determined to be better about freezing the excess pods this year. Last year, I lost probably 30% of my final harvest because I was under the delusion that I would actually have time to process all those pods in the middle of school soccer and football season! Now that I see they can be thawed and dehydrated at a later date, I am not going to wait till it's too late. I used to freeze the extra, but didn't like the texture of the frozen pods for cooking, but it looks like the way to go if I'm using them for powder.

Thanks for the inspiration!

They are really getting big fast! Your plant out date is way after mine...so its relative. Some folks up north have tons of room to grow hundreds of plants up to 1 gallon pots. Most don't, so you gotta go with what you can manage. Freezing is the only way to go. I wasted a ton of pods this year myself once I ran out of freezer space even sending them out by the box and powdering as fast as I could I still got behind. So if you have room, I would freeze everything that you couldn't get to right away.

Sanarda said:
Thanks for the warning Shane. I flew by those pics I have never seen so many peppers fit into one freezer before. You are a packing king. 10 gallon bags?? That is so excellent. You had to clean out the freezer so you will have room this coming season. Unless you were going to buy another freezer

Go back and look at those pics Pia!!! I am helping you conquer your fear! Closer to 15 left I think??? I am already pricing freezers!

RocketMan said:
Shane, I just saw you posted in the TD thread, are you in this month? Awesome!

I dont have any Chilitepins but I have a Thai Short that puts out those little firecracker hot peppers. I've been trying to save up enough to take a shot at a Thai Hot Sauce but with only 1 plant it's taking forever. fortunitly, I have 6 more coming up now to join the one I already have so this summer I'm hoping to be able to "Get er done"

I am a definite maybe for the TD??? We shall see how the final rules read, I have something in mind, just gotta see what the boss puts down as rules. The little pods are fun to look at but sure are a PIA to harvest! The wild brazil and tepin weren't too bad, once ripe they fell off in my hand while picking. Just SO MANY!

romy6 said:
Amazing Shane. I will warn Pia to stay away

Time to sell some tasty powders my friend!!!!!!

Been too lazy to post any lately...I have several gallons ready. Pia is a fraidy cat!

compmodder26 said:
Another fantastic update Shane. I love your freezer shots. Man o man you had a great yield last year, even with your setbacks. Can't wait to see how that smoked Primo powder turns out.

Thanks for the love Brian! Everyone loves the freezer shots but mama...I don't understand her lack of enthusiasm??? Hope to stay relatively setback free this year...but prolly won't??? :banghead:

Spicy Chicken said:
Just spent the better part of an hour catching up on your log, and gotta say Shane; very impressive.
Love the grow room and ingenuity with the light, fan, magnets ect.
Plants are looking healthy and happy, Got your poop in a group don’t you?
Food looked super delicious and looks like you’re not the only family member who likes the spicy foods.
Need to get around here more often, I’d say keep up the great work but that’s a given!!

Cheers -Jeff

Jeff!!! There you are! Is it really you??? Great words coming from you my friend! I have done my share of contracting on everything from concrete to custom cabinetry, so I share much of the skill (but not all because you're the master) that you have with craftsmanship...I just lack the motivation. So my projects are always done...just good enough. Still haven't put a real door on the grow room, just a spare piece of sheathing duct taped on one side to act as a hinge...I bought hinges though...so does that count?

Thanks for all the kind words everybody! Now lets see how many emoticons and quotes I have to delete in order to post this...
Shane

WalkGood · Jan 31, 2013

Congrats on dat “sprout alert,” always great to hear good news, fantastic! Man that powder looks awesome, enjoy and every ting keeps looking more irie mon by di day ^_^

*BTW I have some spare bandanas if you need one