STC3248, Just Another Grow Log! Holiday Harvest!

stc3248 · Apr 1, 2012

Well out they go to harden up!

Didn't take note of all the varieties...the last two are the Manzano's I did the soil test with. They are each on their 10th set of true leaves but the Miracle Grow plant has taken a pretty significant lead in height. I am going to pot the MG plant up to a 7 gallon bucket of MG and put the one in my mix in the ground and see how they do for the season...

Shane

patrick · Apr 1, 2012

Plants are looking quite lovely Shane. Feedin'em a bit of Shiner is always a great idea!

On the light cycle you guys were talking about there's more to it than just time. Type of lights, power, and distance from the plants all have an effect. I run at a 16/8 cycle and haven't seen a droopy plant yet. I use a 150 HPS along with CFL's and regular florescent lights. No purple on leaves or stems either, not until I get them out into the sun that is. You'll get it figured out.

stc3248 · Apr 1, 2012

patrick said:
Plants are looking quite lovely Shane. Feedin'em a bit of Shiner is always a great idea!

On the light cycle you guys were talking about there's more to it than just time. Type of lights, power, and distance from the plants all have an effect. I run at a 16/8 cycle and haven't seen a droopy plant yet. I use a 150 HPS along with CFL's and regular florescent lights. No purple on leaves or stems either, not until I get them out into the sun that is. You'll get it figured out.

Wasn't too concerned....they're doing fine, but on the time lapse you can see them droop at about hour 13 each day. To look at them with the naked eye you can't even really tell, but when you speed up the images it looks pretty amazing. I am running 2 t8 fixtures and CFL's...They're not purpling at all since I moved the lights up a bit about a month ago, but what I was really wondering is if the plants were still benefiting from the lights once they started to droop. I think it may also be due to late day heat from the lights plus the late afternoon sun on the west window they are in front of...Running out of time for experiments, as hardening off and plant out is upon us in Socal!!! I just disassembled the makeshift GH and started laying out the hardened plants and put the ones from indoors on the back porch which is covered with lattice to harden.

PaulG · Apr 1, 2012

stc3248 said:
I am going to build a couple Ladybug hotels and put one on each end of the yard and I will resupply their #'s each month by adding another box of them to the equation. That should help tip the equilibrium in my favor.

What kind of 'hotel' for the lady bugs? I've always wondered how to keep 'em around the yard.

stc3248 said:
Wasn't too concerned....they're doing fine, but on the time lapse you can see them droop at about hour 13 each day. To look at them with the naked eye you can't even really tell, but when you speed up the images it looks pretty amazing. I am running 2 t8 fixtures and CFL's...

Likewise. Just FYI, I am using 4x 4' T12 6500K cri84 flouros, and get the same result.
I think it's perfectly normal, too, but would like to turn lights off if plants aren't able to
benefit from it. I'll have to get out there and do some research on this. Your 'go outs'
look really good, Shane. I'm going for some Perlite or Horticultural pumice today,
mixing up some potting soil, and getting the annuums and baccatums into gals on
the ghouse! I don't care if you live in SoCal, I'm going out to the greenhouse : )

stc3248 · Apr 1, 2012

Got everything potted up that's getting potted up! Still got a few under the lights but almost everything is outside now!!! Woot! I also took down the makeshift greenhouse and put the potted ones out for good. Here's a couple pics and I have a video tour uploading to youtube to be added in a bit...

The last of the pot ups...I think. Gotta see how everything fits next weekend. I have 8 or 10 buckets laying around if I need more room.

These guys are hardening this week and in the ground next weekend...

Here are some more of the 5 gallons...Going to be perfect here all week.

Yeah...there are a few ugly ones to. This is a purple bhut that really took the worst of the slug/aphid/cold damage. I put it in the ground too early. I dug it and a few others up that aren't cutting it. I will see if they want to come back. If so I will sell them...if not oh well, I got plenty!

Thanks for looking! Video will be up as soon as its done uploading,
Shane

MGOLD86 · Apr 1, 2012

Now that is what I am talking about Shane! Those monsters are gonna explode now that they got some new shoes. I can't wait until I can say that the weather is gonna be good all week and my babies are goin outside for the long haul....

Love the photos, and that little guy....don't worry about that little guy.....

stc3248 · Apr 1, 2012

PaulG said:
What kind of 'hotel' for the lady bugs? I've always wondered how to keep 'em around the yard.

Just a small box with one end either open or slotted so they can crawl in. Put a few cheese crumbs in it and keep a moist paper towel in there. Paint it bright colors (light blue is supposed to work great) and spray it with some sweet smelling perfume. Then place it in a shady but visible spot near a good food source... in this case my aphid infested pepper plants. I am using a shoe box for now. May convert an old birdhouse too.

MGOLD86 said:
Now that is what I am talking about Shane! Those monsters are gonna explode now that they got some new shoes. I can't wait until I can say that the weather is gonna be good all week and my babies are goin outside for the long haul....

Love the photos, and that little guy....don't worry about that little guy.....

Lows are still down around 50, but if I wait for 60 degree nights I only have August. The only real downfall to Cali weather is the cold nights year round. High temps are in the mid 70's and up from here on out. Maybe a stray mid to upper 60 sprinkled in over the next month, but few.

Here is the video tour of the plant out so far, I accidentally put my finger over the camera mic for a sec...but I think you should still be able to hear it. First time I tried to use the gopro for a vid like this. I gotta get a little closer with it next time.

Sorry about the shakiness.

Thanks for lookin'
Shane

PaulG · Apr 1, 2012

stc3248 said:
Just a small box with one end either open or slotted so they can crawl in. Put a few cheese crumbs in it and keep a moist paper towel in there. Paint it bright colors (light blue is supposed to work great) and spray it with some sweet smelling perfume. Then place it in a shady but visible spot near a good food source... in this case my aphid infested pepper plants. I am using a shoe box for now. May convert an old birdhouse too.

Cool, thanks. Your pot-ups look fantastic, and the weather compliments them perfectly!
That row along the pool willl makeanawesome hedge! Will check out the vid when I have
more time. Take care, bro!

richphitzwell · Apr 1, 2012

i feel for you man, this weather has been harsh, warm to cold and then back. still your plants would make most envious.

stc3248 · Apr 2, 2012

richphitzwell said:
i feel for you man, this weather has been harsh, warm to cold and then back. still your plants would make most envious.

Yeah, and I know the cold nights will slow them down a little, but I don't mind as long as it slows down the aphids to. Several days near 80 over the next 10 days should keep them moving OK even with the cold nights. Great part is that the pool acts as a giant heat sinc and it never frosts within about 5ft of the pool deck. I am guessing being so close to the pool will keep them at least 2-3 degrees above actual temps at night which is a bonus. They will also soak up a little extra light there in the evenings due to the reflection off the pool.
Thanks for stopping by!

PaulG said:
Cool, thanks. Your pot-ups look fantastic, and the weather compliments them perfectly!
That row along the pool willl makeanawesome hedge! Will check out the vid when I have
more time. Take care, bro!

There are several "how to" videos about building them available. Really not much to it. Yet another thing I've never tried??? Will let you know how it works. I plan to restock them a couple more times and hopefully I can get a good population going. The ones I am buying are locally raised and native to the area, so they're eco friendly. They also sell locally raised praying mantis but I've already found several of them creeping about. If I've seen a few, I am willing to bet I have pretty good #'s without adding to them.

As far as the hedge from hell, it should be pretty cool for a while, then in the way I think. Still need to put together a drip line for them and I have those 9 more hardening off to add to the equation. They very well may end up in some sort of arrangement near the windmill or in a long row in front of the raised bed once the pool is ready for swimming.

Always a honor to have the Clonemeister stop by!

Looks like I will be offloading about 15-20 plants some are nice and healthy and others...well not so much. Most of the ones in the not so much category are healthy enough, they just don't look it right now because mother nature has been beating the crap out of them. I think I have about 3 weeks to a month to whip them into shape! I might post them in the marketplace once I decide, so if you're local keep an eye out!

Shane

Beehunter · Apr 2, 2012

Lookin awesome shane! Seems all your plants are turning the corner and you are primed and ready for summer! Hope the weather turns your way!

Pr0digal_son · Apr 2, 2012

Looking great Shane.... Trying to keep up with this has my head hurting. I like the "Fistful of Dollars" poncho backdrop.

stc3248 · Apr 2, 2012

Hey Hombre! You put a beeg whole in meee!

Has mine hurting to...I think I am compulsive updater! I'll try to dial back...but no promises!

PIC 1 · Apr 2, 2012

Cool Shane!
Hey bro you sure have plenty of room for plants...........lucky you
I can't even say that its early in the season up here in Chi-town since we can't plant out til next month, but looking at the size of your plants you are ahead of the game.
No matter what type of damage from mites or aphids you seem to have the reins on the situation. All new growth on those plants will supercede any previous damage. I don't have time to update my glog as much as I'd want to but I'll find to to check this and a few others out. Your hitting this on all cylinders !
Nice update....and if my wife ask me what I'm doing again, I 'll have to give her the frying pan.....that is to cook with..............lol

later
Greg

stc3248 · Apr 2, 2012

Well, first full day out in the garden...and you can tell which leaves were sheltered in the GH! lol A couple plants got a little sun burnt, but only a few of the lower leaves that didn't get sun when I opened the top. Figured as much, and out of the 20 or so plants I set out only 4 have any sunburn at all, and only on a few leaves. So looks like they were well hardened. A couple annuums (fish, goccia d'oro, and the annuum scotch bonnet) drooped a little, but so far so good!

On a lighter note, momma decided about a week ago we were going on a diet, then tonight she decided it was cheat night. First thing she reached for was the keys to run out for a burger and fries. First thing I reached for is a bottle of Shiner. Ahhhh.....heaven.

PaulG · Apr 3, 2012

stc3248 said:
Well, first full day out in the garden...and you can tell which leaves were sheltered in the GH! lol A couple plants got a little sun burnt, but only a few of the lower leaves that didn't get sun when I opened the top. Figured as much, and out of the 20 or so plants I set out only 4 have any sunburn at all, and only on a few leaves. So looks like they were well hardened. A couple annuums (fish, goccia d'oro, and the annuum scotch bonnet) drooped a little, but so far so good!

On a lighter note, momma decided about a week ago we were going on a diet, then tonight she decided it was cheat night. First thing she reached for was the keys to run out for a burger and fries. First thing I reached for is a bottle of Shiner. Ahhhh.....heaven.

Sounds like you had the plants well prepared for life outdoors, Shane!
I'll bet you're glad not to have to fuss with the greenhouse for a while!
Your hard work and attentiveness is really paying off.

Shiner and burger. Life is good!

stc3248 · Apr 3, 2012

PaulG said:
Sounds like you had the plants well prepared for life outdoors, Shane!
I'll bet you're glad not to have to fuss with the greenhouse for a while!
Your hard work and attentiveness is really paying off.

Shiner and burger. Life is good!

Looks like it! They are doing really well. Got home too late to take any outdoor photos, but did a walk around with a flashlight to find ladybugs hunting on most of my plants!!! I think I am going to but another box of those dudes this weekend. The plants have only been out of the GH for a few days and I only found aphids on one plant tonight. The combination of cool nights and the introduction of the little beetles is kickin they're plant sucking a$$es!!! For 6 bucks for a box of about a thousand you really can't beat it.
Edit:fixed format

I'm rethinking the layout of this planter...

its currently layed out:

Fish Pepper

Wild Brazil

Aji Omnicolor

Tepin

Thinking of taking out the Fish Pepper and replacing with either a Pequin or a Peruvian White Bullet Habanero...Want all low bushy plants on the outside. Which one do you guys think would look best? Also thinking about putting a Goats Weed in the center since it grows straight up. The container holds about 40 gallons of soil so there is plenty of root room, and I think they will look cool crowded in there spilling over the sides...thoughts?

PaulG · Apr 4, 2012

That should make a great planter, Shane! And good material for awesome photos

Beehunter · Apr 4, 2012

Looking sweet as always. Glad to here your army is doing its job! As for the planter It seems like its gonna be pretty awesome color wise so it might be cool to add white pods to the mix as well. My vote is the habs.

stc3248 · Apr 4, 2012

Beehunter said:
Looking sweet as always. Glad to here your army is doing its job! As for the planter It seems like its gonna be pretty awesome color wise so it might be cool to add white pods to the mix as well. My vote is the habs.

Glad to hear you think that...I was leaning that way too...I also think the wild brazil and the peruvian white hab would make an interesting cross. Might try that each way later on in the season.
Edit: removed a weather forecast I am too dumb to figure it out...

Thanks for the Vote Beehunter! Anyone else wanna chime in???