stc3248's 2014 small wild grow

KiNGDeNNiZ · Feb 10, 2014

hope you continue to have success and get a chance to sneak in those other varieties.. =D BBG grow again.. or youre done?

stc3248 · Feb 10, 2014

Nick08* said:
Awesome work on the bonchi's! Really pulling for you they all take!

And nice work on the plots, I can't wait to get out into the yard!!

Wow, that goat's weed is an incredible looking plant. Awesome to hear it makes great powders as well. Will definitely be added to my Grow wish list for next year!

Thanks Nick! The Bonchis are all doing well...except one. The yard is ready...ish. I did get a ton done this weekend and it looks somewhat acceptable out there now. Still need to get the compost pile from this year shredded up and add the potting soil from last year's grow to it. Lemme know about the Goat's Weed.

stickman said:
You definitely earned your sleep tonight Shane... garden looks very nice though, and I'm sure you'll fall asleep with visions of vegetables dancing in your head...

I slept like a baby...but woke up like a grumpy old man. I do have hopes for a fun season diversifying my grow a bit!

Trippa said:
Looking awesome Shane ... loving the bonchi .... just out of interest what is the soil mix you are using for the bonchi pots??

Explosive embers and Aji Lemons have to be the most readily self seeding varieties I have seen ... if a pod falls you can be guaranteed a bunch of seedlings . Looking forward to plant out time

Thanks Trippa!!! The Bonchis are a really fun distraction. I am using the same soil I use on everything else...MG Moisture Control. I know there are some Bonsai soils that may be better, and I have used them on my true Bonsai plants. The MG works well because I am not here to water and feed them all week. I have tons of volunteers out there that I am not really trying to keep alive...but if they live anyway it ain't my fault right??? Which leads me to...

Pulpiteer said:
Just caught up - this will be an interesting season to follow once again!
A few comments - but these are mostly repeats from others. I had to laugh at the need to purchase a new freezer. The hauls you've taken in the last few years have been epic, so I'm sure you're set for awhile.
I fully support the choice to 'make momma happy'. It is, however, much like watching an addict struggle with quitting as you try not to add too many things, and find an exception here and there.

The bonchi's look pretty cool. That will be fun to follow.

Also, the effort to win the growdown - thanks for sharing that. Interesting to see what went into it. I'm growing a Birgit's this year because of you guys.

And then the Porter picture...
I'm just trying to get caught up on the glogs so I can post my new season glog this year, and here is Porter - and it feels like it's time to get going for real. Porter is back hating peppers. I need to get going. I love it.

Haha...yup, I definitely have a problem, but then again I think most of us on this site are a bit obsessive compulsive. I am making progress though...I haven't added...much! :shh:

I can neither confirm nor deny that I accidentally buried about 100 ripe Numex Centennial and Explosive Ember pods in the garden I just planted with carrots and onions. :whistle:

Porter is a good ole dog...he's 13 and still tries to be a puppy. To be honest, he kinda likes the plants...well he marks them all as his property for sure! Haha...it gets me out there with him in the yard which we both enjoy. Good luck with that Birgit plant...give it some room for sure! We shall see how this year turns out, I am not doing anything special for them other than a little extra time in the grow tent to give them a jump start so we'll see how much of a difference the effort paid off...or not!

Jeff H said:
Ground plots look good Shane. You're giving me the itch to start working on mine. Only problem is that there is 6" of snow and ice on them and the ground is frozen down about 18". I guess I'll have to wait a little longer.

Bonchis are looking nice too. Any casualties or did they all survive the trimming?

Socal has its perks for sure...I actually worked up a pretty good sweat out there barefoot in shorts and a t-shirt! I have one almost certain casualty...the root over rock that I did. The best way to do those is in a grow bag where you can plant the rock and all below soil level and then slowly roll the bag down to expose the rock and roots then when it's where you want it do the transplant.

KiNGDeNNiZ said:
hope you continue to have success and get a chance to sneak in those other varieties.. =D BBG grow again.. or youre done?

I have a (maybe two) BBG7 that is still alive but looking rough up at the office...so if it survives I will grow it out up there along with the Pepperproblem plant that is still kicking and needs fresh soil and a larger pot! I will also be moving some extras if I get any up there...where mama won't mind. Will be nice to have little fresh heat on hand up there during the week!

Well I promised I would show you my new sprout...but I lied...now its SPROUTS!!!

CGN 19198 (Pr0digal_son) with a grain of uncooked white rice for scale...

C. Galapagoense (Pr0digal_son) with a grain of rice as well.

:dance:

JJJessee · Feb 10, 2014

That's soil looks absolutely sumptuous :drooling:

. I suppose there's not a lot of rocks and clay in it like in, let's say, in SW VA. :cry:

Congrats on the lil' poppers. That's a clever trick -a bonchi on a rock in a bag. On the mountain tops around here the trees live harder, and grow more slowly, smaller too, often see them growing on a big rock with the roots reaching down for dirt.

I just knew Porter was really a pepper-lovin' dog at heart.

He just contains his excitement well.

highalt · Feb 10, 2014

Congratulations on the sprouts! The bonsai plants are beautiful, and the pictures of your Goat Weed plant made me realize that I don't have that one on the list this year. Hmmm...

Also, a thought occurred to me while reading through your pepper powder blend tutorial. I have always cut the pods in half and scraped out the seeds, which you are right, is way too time consuming. But after looking at your last pre-coffee grinder picture, I'm wondering if the seeds couldn't just be screened/sifted out right before that last step. Any thoughts?

megamoo · Feb 11, 2014

Bonchis with the new growth look great!

maximumcapsicum · Feb 11, 2014

Wow great progress shane! Guess plant out comes sooner for you... don't even have to wait!

Joined the growdown, so got to start a couple more plants anyway. This is bad. Gonna have to boot out the tomatoes to their respected homes and maybe go ahead and try to adopt out the other surplus starts. Also thinking of culling a couple that never developed true leaves. Coty issues thanks to helmets.

Devv · Feb 11, 2014

Congrats on the new hooks Shane! Been falling behind these last few days.

That dirt work is tough when you have to do the shovel thang, but it's good exercise!

So is a volunteer going to pop soon? I'm stoked about the growdown.

The Bonsai look good in their new shoes, good luck with them!

Keep it green! I know you will

stc3248 · Feb 14, 2014

JJJessee said:
That's soil looks absolutely sumptuous . I suppose there's not a lot of rocks and clay in it like in, let's say, in SW VA.

Congrats on the lil' poppers. That's a clever trick -a bonchi on a rock in a bag. On the mountain tops around here the trees live harder, and grow more slowly, smaller too, often see them growing on a big rock with the roots reaching down for dirt.

I just knew Porter was really a pepper-lovin' dog at heart.

He just contains his excitement well.

There is some clay...and a lot of rock. Most of the homes here are built on mountain bedrock with fill dirt thrown on top for a yard. The soil has to be built up...and down.
The dwarf trees on the mountain tops due to altitude and being root bound in the rocks are some of the original inspiration for Bonsai plants...very cool. I forget what site I was surfing that had that tip about growing a root over rock in a bag...but it works and I've used it!

Porter is a good ole dog, he's getting a little needy and spoiled in his old age, but still acts like a pup...just a bit slower. He hasn't ballooned up like most labs do once they hit 7 or 8...but that ain't due to a hard life. He spends most of his time inside these days...His sister Lacy has a bit less personality but still chases her tail at 12 years old. They are a dynamic duo for sure!

highalt said:
Congratulations on the sprouts! The bonsai plants are beautiful, and the pictures of your Goat Weed plant made me realize that I don't have that one on the list this year. Hmmm...

Also, a thought occurred to me while reading through your pepper powder blend tutorial. I have always cut the pods in half and scraped out the seeds, which you are right, is way too time consuming. But after looking at your last pre-coffee grinder picture, I'm wondering if the seeds couldn't just be screened/sifted out right before that last step. Any thoughts?

Thanks Bonnie!!! Do you need Goat's Weed seeds??? I suppose you could sift out most of the seeds, but it would be tricky because you'd have to blend them enough to ensure the flakes were smaller than the seeds...could be tough to get right. If you use a coffee grinder, you won't be able to tell the difference between seed and no seed once done other than maybe a slightly deeper color in the seeded pods.

megamoo said:
Bonchis with the new growth look great!

Thanks Mega! The one in the tiny pot had a rough week. It got HOT here this week...and in that south facing window they all got pretty dry this week. The rest did ok, but didn't like it much either. One of the drawbacks of my crazy schedule I suppose. I may take the Bonchis to work with me and see if I can set them up a spot in my barracks room??? We shall see...

maximumcapsicum said:
Wow great progress shane! Guess plant out comes sooner for you... don't even have to wait!

Joined the growdown, so got to start a couple more plants anyway. This is bad. Gonna have to boot out the tomatoes to their respected homes and maybe go ahead and try to adopt out the other surplus starts. Also thinking of culling a couple that never developed true leaves. Coty issues thanks to helmets.

Actually your plant out date is probably before mine...we aren't supposed to set plant out until the end of March or beginning of April here. I have pushed my luck and paid the price on that. This time of year the highs can be near 90 but the lows the same night can drop into the 20s crazy. We have had a very mild and warmer than usual winter...but I am not gonna chance it!

Good luck on the Growdown, I ain't going all in this year, but should still show pretty well. Watch out for Pr0digal_Son, Guru and I think Wayright joined...if I were to bet right now one of them will take it this year. Give the plant more nitrogen than it needs from the start just be careful not to burn it. High N levels will keep the plant in grow mode longer before production starts and give it plenty of time to put down good roots.

If your plant doesn't put out true leaves within a couple weeks...it'll just waste a spot on your shelf until you toss it. Most likely the primary node was damaged due to the seed helmets and without that in tact...it can't go anywhere. I give extras away every year, and it is a great feeling...but I usually hear half way through the season that they're goners.

Devv said:
Congrats on the new hooks Shane! Been falling behind these last few days.

That dirt work is tough when you have to do the shovel thang, but it's good exercise!

So is a volunteer going to pop soon? I'm stoked about the growdown.

The Bonsai look good in their new shoes, good luck with them!

Keep it green! I know you will

I have been falling behind too...I started out following too many Glogs, but there are so many cool new members each year...plus all the cool ones I from before...it means there is no way I can keep up.

Most of my initial soil work this year was just bare hands. I was surprised that even though I really didn't work any of these spots last year, it was still loose enough to run my hands though with no trouble. Tons of freakin bermuda grass in there, so I didn't dare till until I had gotten as much of that out as I could. I used a small hand held tiller and a cultivator to finish working in the new stuff. I will top dress with a mixture of compost, manure and peat as well once the plants are in there.

The new volunteers are in dirt...we shall see where it goes!!!

Aight....all that said. The damn Annuums are pissing me off. Why can't they all be that damn easy??? I dropped them in the dirt last weekend and came home today to about a dozen up and running. Still only the two lonely wilds, and they look terrible. Patience...patience...patience...ughhhhh. I will get them to pop.
Here are a couple pics...

Here are most of the Annuums that are up...there are several more hooking. They include Joe E. Parker, Big Jim, Mucho Nacho and Jalafuego.

Mucho Nacho...looking perfect along with 4 others that look just the same.

Jalafuego...same story.

The wilds are not making it so easy...both of them had stuck helmets when I got home, and the 19198 was tying itself in a knot with the seed helmet stuck in the soil while the plant was putting out a long loop stem trying to find light. I got it free, but it looks pretty rough. The coty tips are beat up and shriveled...

The Galapagoense had a similar time getting its hat off, both coty tips are goners...the good news is I can see some action at the primary node on both plants, so I think they'll make it. I retook this pic 4 times and still ended up getting it wrong...I think you can kinda see what's going on.

Finally...the two "volunteer" containers have been planted. I will probably narrow it down to two or three of the best ones once they're up and running. Good luck to everyone else in the contest!!!

That's it for now, not a lot to report. Hopefully some of the other veggies I planted will start to show me some love soon!
Shane

Vegas_Chili · Feb 14, 2014

Nice starts Shane, glad to see the wilds kicking off!

Believe me some may seem like they're too finicky when they sprout, but once the they start putting out leaves they grow pretty fast at least my Eximium did.

My strongest CGN 19198 sprouted with a helmet... and I thought it wasn't gonna make it because I tore both cotyledons completely and was left like a bare stick, and about 3 months later (today) it now has it's first buds.

From the other Eximium the CGN 24332 the only 2 that sprouted are still growing nice and alive. IMHO Eximium are hard to kill and very nice plants. I really hope to see how yours grow

.

-Walt

stickman · Feb 15, 2014

Glad to see your Annuums taking off Shane! I sense lots of poppers and green chiles in your future...

I hadn't planned on sowing any wilds this year beyond a few of your Pequins, but I was intrigued with the Horticubes coheed was using to germinate his. I was having no luck germing mine, so I got a few sheets of cubes and sowed them with 4 varieties of wilds I had, and got great results! You'd think that with the large dibble hole in the cubes that helmet-head would be an issue, but mostly it wasn't... and the environment in the 1020 tray with a quarter inch of standing water inside and the plastic dome over the top made it so humid that the few I got just slid right off. I was charmed!

Pr0digal_son · Feb 15, 2014

Those guys will be fine when they get some roots set in. They are slow going,but once they get dug in,they will grow like any other chile. The thing with most wilds is ripening time,you are familiar with pubescens,and these are similar or worse. Galapagoense and tovarii are ridiculous! That 19198(there are a couple versions) is pretty vigorous with large berries(relatively speaking). You will want to bonchii that guy.

maximumcapsicum · Feb 15, 2014

Shane the update is looking great. Hard to predict on the helmets... I had some that lost their cotys entirely that I ended up culling when the stems turned brown. It's frustrating when that happens. You're grow isn't gonna slow down though, and from the pics you posted your wilds are looking great.

Devv · Feb 15, 2014

Glad to seed some babies standing up. Those wilds will straighten up. The pubes I started looked like that early on too, and are happy young ladies now.

As for the germ times, that drives me nuts when some just sit there. I had a tray set aside, I was done waiting on anything left in there. I found 5 standing up yesterday, always good to start early!

Keep it green bro!

Nick08* · Feb 16, 2014

Bummer about the helmets... but excellent close up shots of the seedlings!!

What do you sue to shred your compost?

Sawyer · Feb 16, 2014

Looking good over here, Shane.

I got the care package you sent this weekend. Many thanks!

stc3248 · Feb 17, 2014

Vegas_Chili said:
Nice starts Shane, glad to see the wilds kicking off!

Believe me some may seem like they're too finicky when they sprout, but once the they start putting out leaves they grow pretty fast at least my Eximium did.

My strongest CGN 19198 sprouted with a helmet... and I thought it wasn't gonna make it because I tore both cotyledons completely and was left like a bare stick, and about 3 months later (today) it now has it's first buds.

From the other Eximium the CGN 24332 the only 2 that sprouted are still growing nice and alive. IMHO Eximium are hard to kill and very nice plants. I really hope to see how yours grow .

-Walt

Thanks Walt...yeah, they look like they're gonna make it. Other stuff is starting to pop off in there...but only a few.

stickman said:
Glad to see your Annuums taking off Shane! I sense lots of poppers and green chiles in your future... I hadn't planned on sowing any wilds this year beyond a few of your Pequins, but I was intrigued with the Horticubes coheed was using to germinate his. I was having no luck germing mine, so I got a few sheets of cubes and sowed them with 4 varieties of wilds I had, and got great results! You'd think that with the large dibble hole in the cubes that helmet-head would be an issue, but mostly it wasn't... and the environment in the 1020 tray with a quarter inch of standing water inside and the plastic dome over the top made it so humid that the few I got just slid right off. I was charmed!

Yeah...I didn't grow any Jals last year, and missed having them. My thought process was that I can always just grab them at the store, but they don't have quite the kick and certainly not the flavor of a properly ripened one. I only had two Big Jims and one Anaheim last year...and we're flat out of green chiles now. Mama loves them both and let me know that she ain't counting those against me...so in they went! I posted up a thread asking if anyone has grown the Jalafuegos and what their opinions were, but no replies...So I guess I am the guinea pig! The Mucho Nachos I loved season before last with big numbers and big pods...and I think I have 7 or 8 of them up and running. I have never grown the Joe E. Parker either...but its an improved version of the Numex 6-4 which I have grown so it sould be good. Then the Big Jims...which are a staple. I will have 6-8 of each of those this year...2 each at work and 4-6 each here at the house.

I read over on your glog about how you deal with helmets and my technique is exactly the same...well, I use hemostats but the pinch lengthwise "coin purse" style is the exact way I do it. I may put a drop or two of water on it if it doesn't want to let go and come back in 5 minutes...Those wilds are so small that it is a pretty delicate procedure!

Pr0digal_son said:
Those guys will be fine when they get some roots set in. They are slow going,but once they get dug in,they will grow like any other chile. The thing with most wilds is ripening time,you are familiar with pubescens,and these are similar or worse. Galapagoense and tovarii are ridiculous! That 19198(there are a couple versions) is pretty vigorous with large berries(relatively speaking). You will want to bonchii that guy.

Cool, thanks for the info, I can usually get the first ripe Pubes by mid-late August but the great thing here is we don't usually get our first frost until after Christmas, so I got plenty of season to work with...no movement on the Tovarii or Rocopica yet, but I am patient and confident in my setup. Wish I had started earlier now...but didn't get the green light for a grow from mama until late. It's all good, and I'll overwinter what I can next year for a better chance the following season.

maximumcapsicum said:
Shane the update is looking great. Hard to predict on the helmets... I had some that lost their cotys entirely that I ended up culling when the stems turned brown. It's frustrating when that happens. You're grow isn't gonna slow down though, and from the pics you posted your wilds are looking great.

Thanks Max!!! Yeah...touch and go for a bit, but they're looking fine now, pics below.

Devv said:
Glad to seed some babies standing up. Those wilds will straighten up. The pubes I started looked like that early on too, and are happy young ladies now.

As for the germ times, that drives me nuts when some just sit there. I had a tray set aside, I was done waiting on anything left in there. I found 5 standing up yesterday, always good to start early!

Keep it green bro!

Thanks Scott...these varieties will definitely get you to doubt yourself for a minute, but things are happening, and I think I got 100% on the Annuums I sowed in just over a week so I know the setup is good...

Nick08* said:
Bummer about the helmets... but excellent close up shots of the seedlings!!

What do you sue to shred your compost?

Hey Nick...I use a Machete and a hand tiller. Large stuff gets chopped into small chunks and layered between recycled potting soil and green clippings. I have a very healthy worm population and I keep a soaker hose on a timer to keep it moist. I turn it every few months. I have two piles. I alternate each year with which pile I use...so my compost is always at least a year old.

Sawyer said:
Looking good over here, Shane.

I got the care package you sent this weekend. Many thanks!

Glad it made it!!! Was beginning to worry! Enjoy!

Ok...so a little more action now. The Annuums have taken over the grow shelf...while the wilds are lagging behind. I got a little more action and the cool thing is that although we're only getting one here and there...each time it has been a different variety.

The newest hooker...Cap 1530.

Here is the Galapagoense today. True leaves pushing through nice and green...

The CGN 19198 is looking much better. I buried a little more of the stem and poured the light to it. The coty's greened right up and the true leaves are pushing out...

Here is a little size comparison...of their little size. In the center is a Mucho Nacho Jalapeno.

Here is how the Goat's Weed is looking...she's the star of the Bonchi shelf for sure.

The Pequin is still loaded with ripe pods...and looks like it wants to start setting some more.

Here is a pic of my nemesis...looks so familiar and friendly. Very closely related to Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Peppers and Egg Plant...and shares diseases with them all. They are slightly toxic...but the berries are good when ripe.

All the nons I planted are up and running. These are lettuce sprouts. Mama added a few more nons to the grow today picking up some Cilantro, Tomatillo, two types of Zucchini and Spring Onions.

This Gladiolus said...Eff Winter...

Also spent the day smoking up some baby backs for a gathering at work on Thursday. So the went from the smoker into an ice bath in freezer bags, then into the freezer.

That's it for now folks...I got another variety about to hook, but I will wait until she pokes her head out to make it official...

stickman · Feb 17, 2014

stc3248 said:
Yeah...I didn't grow any Jals last year, and missed having them. My thought process was that I can always just grab them at the store, but they don't have quite the kick and certainly not the flavor of a properly ripened one. I only had two Big Jims and one Anaheim last year...and we're flat out of green chiles now. Mama loves them both and let me know that she ain't counting those against me...so in they went! I posted up a thread asking if anyone has grown the Jalafuegos and what their opinions were, but no replies...So I guess I am the guinea pig! The Mucho Nachos I loved season before last with big numbers and big pods...and I think I have 7 or 8 of them up and running. I have never grown the Joe E. Parker either...but its an improved version of the Numex 6-4 which I have grown so it sould be good. Then the Big Jims...which are a staple. I will have 6-8 of each of those this year...2 each at work and 4-6 each here at the house.

I read over on your glog about how you deal with helmets and my technique is exactly the same...well, I use hemostats but the pinch lengthwise "coin purse" style is the exact way I do it. I may put a drop or two of water on it if it doesn't want to let go and come back in 5 minutes...Those wilds are so small that it is a pretty delicate procedure!

Nice to see the veggies and perennials coming up in the garden Shane! You and Scott have really got me wanting spring to be here now! Lol! Thanks for the pic of your Pequin... it's nice to know what to expect when mine mature. The Pequin seeds I got from smokemaster are less than half the size or yours, do you think they're different varieties? I planted 4 seeds of each, and while all the seeds germinated in each variety, Smokemaster's germinated a week later than yours. Your Wild Brazil seeds have also all germinated, so we're definitely moving along on that front.

I'm liking the look of your preparations for the unit cookout! Do you have guys requesting transfer to your unit just because of the pepper/foodie culture you have going there?

HabaneroHead found this website that shows how well plants grow over time in both rockwool and Horticubes that I thought you'd want to see. The fellow who took the pics confirms that the two growing mediums have identical germination properties, but if you keep the seedlings in them beyond proper formation of cotys, then the plants in the rockwool do much better. I'm potting up in ProMix as soon as they hit that stage so I don't expect there to be any problems with stunted growth, but I guess we'll see over the course of the season if that's true... http://sahibaquaponics.com/project-news/how-do-you-grow-your-seedlings/

HillBilly Jeff · Feb 17, 2014

Peppers are really looking nice. I am going to have to do some more reading on the bonchi, yours looks really cool. Two months away from frost resistant nons going into the garden. Nice to see the glads up and kicking.

Keep on growing.

Sawyer · Feb 17, 2014

stc3248 said:
My thought process was that I can always just grab them at the store, but they don't have quite the kick and certainly not the flavor of a properly ripened one.

Ain't it the truth. I wouldn't have thought peppers were like tomatoes with respect to store-bought vs. home-grown, but I guess they are.

stickman said:
HabaneroHead found this website that shows how well plants grow over time in both rockwool and Horticubes that I thought you'd want to see. The fellow who took the pics confirms that the two growing mediums have identical germination properties, but if you keep the seedlings in them beyond proper formation of cotys, then the plants in the rockwool do much better. I'm potting up in ProMix as soon as they hit that stage so I don't expect there to be any problems with stunted growth, but I guess we'll see over the course of the season if that's true... http://sahibaquaponics.com/project-news/how-do-you-grow-your-seedlings/

Interesting website. I have an unused 50 gal. aquarium and some space next to it. I've been thinking of trying to set up an aquaponics system, but it's unlikely to happen this year.

stc3248 · Feb 17, 2014

Rick...thanks for the link, I will get around to reading it in a bit. As for the "Pequin"...original seed was from Sawdust who claims that the mother plant was a Tepin growing in a river bottom. When he harvested and planted them they had the pequin shape....he actually still calls them Tepins, I don't to avoid the inevitable smart ass comments that would come about from folks correcting me. Seeds were wild harvested though...and I suspect they are a Pequin/Tepin cross that occured naturally. The plant is very cold hearty much like a baccatum and will grow into a nice dense shrub.

Jeff, one of the benefits of the land of fruit and nuts is year round growing of certain varieties. Although it gets too hot here in my inland location to grow some of them mid summer along the coast you can plant just about anything at any time. Give the Bonchis a whirl during your overwinter next year!!!

John, Its exactly the same as tomatoes. They grow milder producers of large pods for grocery stores and pull them too early. Nothing like a red ripe Jal...mmmm.