Stickman's 2015 - That's All She Wrote...

Hi All! It's been an incredibly busy winter dealing with one thing and another, and it's only about half over here.   Still, it's time to get on the stick and put my seeds in the dirt in preparation for plant-out in another 12 weeks or so. I have a Manzano over-wintering inside that's going on its third year. It's next to a sliding glass door with a great southern exposure but the light it gets here this time of year is pretty paltry... I expect it'll start to perk up sometime in March. I have a couple of MoA Scotch Bonnets over-wintering at a friend's house because there wasn't space in front of the sliding glass door for them and my wife's indoor plants... the deal is that if they both survive the winter, we'll split the plants. If not, he'll keep the one that lives. That seems fair since he did all the work.
 
The rest of the list is looking like this...

Pubiscens Varieties
Total bust this year... nothing that germinated survived.

Baccatum:
Ditto

Frutascens:
Tabasco
Hawaiian Bird chile
 
Chacoense:
Ditto

Chinense:
7-pot Yellow Turned out to be a red "Not"
MoA Scotch Bonnet
Beni Highlands... Also turned out to be a "Not"... maybe a Mako Akokrosade cross?
Ja Hab
Trinidad Perfume
Zavory

Annuum:
Cabe Rawit (mouse turd pepper, in Singapore where the seeds were collected they're called Cili Padi)
Red Thai
Biggie Chile Anaheim
Poblano Gigantia
Jalapeno Ciclon
Jalapeno Tormenta
Serrano Tampiqueno
Hungarian Hot Wax
Almapaprika
Ethiopian Brown Berbere
 
I'll also be planting a sweet Criolla de Cucina plants and about 20 sweet Kurtovska Kapijas. The Kapijas have the longest growing and ripening times of any Annuum I know, but they're big, meaty sweet peppers that average around a half a pound apiece... just the thing for making that eastern european condiment called Ajvar.
 
Too tired to say more now, but will pick up later... Cheers!

 

[stickman]

All the sprouts are looking good. I like the heater idea. I keep thinking of doing something similar in my grow room since it dips in the low 60s overnights when the lights are off. I'll keep an eye on your little ones to see if the heater helps.

 
One word of caution Jeff... don't try to heat your whole basement with an electric heater. I used an old milking parlor heater to blow warm air on my over-winters last winter and it pushed our electric bill up a hundred dollars a month. I'm only trying this because it's inside the enclosed grow box made from insulating material.
 

 
Looking good, Rick.  To give credit where due, those Brown Egg seeds I sent originally came from Jason (GA Growhead).  I started some last year, but they never made it into the ground or larger pots, so this year will be my first experience growing them all the way to fruit, too.

 
Cool! Whatever the provenance, they kicked butt this spring!
 

all looking great, Rick!

 
Cheers G! It'll be a while before we catch up to you temperature-wise, but we're slowly getting there. First we've gotta get rid of the rest of this snow...
Watering the seedlings this morning I see another Nabasco hook.   For those who don't know, It's a Tabasco x Naga King cross I got from PeriPeri. It was one of my most prolific plants last year and combined the best of each parent. Great pepper for making Louisiana-style hot sauce! I also got a few Thai Kriting peppers (that grow twisty pods) next to it.

 
The Hungarians are mostly looking good. I only got one Nagykuti Pimiento and a few Pritamins. The Edesalmapaprika was seed from 4 years ago and didn't make a showing.

 
The "Hargita" Hot Wax peppers were good producers last year too.

 
And so did the Almapaprika. Gotta have those for pickling!

 
Got good germination from the Heirloom Red Squash pepper seeds I got at the Hancock Shaker Village.

 
The plants I had started for me by a friend continue to look great... one King Naga, one 7-pot Orange and six MoA Scotch Bonnets.

 
13 varieties of Tomatoes started for me and my Mom, along with Lemon Balm, Wild Bergamot and  Red Gem Marigolds for my Wife. I'm gonna want a few of the Marigolds for companion planting with my peppers because they work well to call in Ladybugs and Lacewings to mow down the Aphids that love my peppers.

 

[Jeff H]

 
One word of caution Jeff... don't try to heat your whole basement with an electric heater. I used an old milking parlor heater to blow warm air on my over-winters last winter and it pushed our electric bill up a hundred dollars a month. I'm only trying this because it's inside the enclosed grow box made from insulating material.
 
 

 
 
^^ Words of wisdom.
I agree, that would get expensive. I was just thinking about my5x6 grow room. My basement is heated, but these days the furnace is barely ever on because of the warmer temps outside so the basement can get cool in the night with the lights off.

 

[ronniedeb]

This is a fast moving glog. Everytime I come back I have a couple of pages to go through. I think the Brown Egg is a Bolivian variety:
http://www.semillas.de/cgi-bin/shop_en/shop.cgi?shop=&product=Peppers+BC&cart_id=2158508.28690
http://applicaties.wageningenur.nl/applications/cgngenis/AccessionDetails.aspx?ID=cr50wjq3&acnumber=CGN22856

 

[Pulpiteer]

Good move on the heat. In my previous place, the lack of heat in the basement really held back the growth, I think.  I've got enough lights in my grow shelf now that it throws out a bunch of heat, so that works for me.  I hear you on the marigolds, I bought some new ones to try this year from Baker Creek - Harlequin Marigold. Looks very cool and is a great beneficial as you mention.

 

[Plantguy76]

 
One word of caution Jeff... don't try to heat your whole basement with an electric heater. I used an old milking parlor heater to blow warm air on my over-winters last winter and it pushed our electric bill up a hundred dollars a month. I'm only trying this because it's inside the enclosed grow box made from insulating material.
 
 
Cool! Whatever the provenance, they kicked butt this spring!
 
 
Cheers G! It'll be a while before we catch up to you temperature-wise, but we're slowly getting there. First we've gotta get rid of the rest of this snow...
Watering the seedlings this morning I see another Nabasco hook.   For those who don't know, It's a Tabasco x Naga King cross I got from PeriPeri. It was one of my most prolific plants last year and combined the best of each parent. Great pepper for making Louisiana-style hot sauce! I also got a few Thai Kriting peppers (that grow twisty pods) next to it.

 
The Hungarians are mostly looking good. I only got one Nagykuti Pimiento and a few Pritamins. The Edesalmapaprika was seed from 4 years ago and didn't make a showing.

 
The "Hargita" Hot Wax peppers were good producers last year too.

 
And so did the Almapaprika. Gotta have those for pickling!

 
Got good germination from the Heirloom Red Squash pepper seeds I got at the Hancock Shaker Village.

 
The plants I had started for me by a friend continue to look great... one King Naga, one 7-pot Orange and six MoA Scotch Bonnets.

 
13 varieties of Tomatoes started for me and my Mom, along with Lemon Balm, Wild Bergamot and  Red Gem Marigolds for my Wife. I'm gonna want a few of the Marigolds for companion planting with my peppers because they work well to call in Ladybugs and Lacewings to mow down the Aphids that love my peppers.

Looking good Stickman ! got big pollination & beneficial insects myself

 

[stickman]

This is a fast moving glog. Everytime I come back I have a couple of pages to go through. I think the Brown Egg is a Bolivian variety:
http://www.semillas.de/cgi-bin/shop_en/shop.cgi?shop=&product=Peppers+BC&cart_id=2158508.28690
http://applicaties.wageningenur.nl/applications/cgngenis/AccessionDetails.aspx?ID=cr50wjq3&acnumber=CGN22856

 
Thanks for the info Ronan, I had no idea.
 

Good move on the heat. In my previous place, the lack of heat in the basement really held back the growth, I think.  I've got enough lights in my grow shelf now that it throws out a bunch of heat, so that works for me.  I hear you on the marigolds, I bought some new ones to try this year from Baker Creek - Harlequin Marigold. Looks very cool and is a great beneficial as you mention.

 
That's a pretty cool looking Marigold Andy, I'll have to pass it along to my Wife. Speaking of Marigolds... the Red Gem variety I planted this past Sunday is already hooking up! I have some Lemon Gem Marigolds on back order at Johnny's Seeds, and they tell me they expect them this week.

Looking good Stickman ! got big pollination & beneficial insects myself

 
Thanks for the good vibe Jason.
 
Slogging out to the community garden, I see the snow there is down to 8 inches or less. In another couple of weeks it should be pretty much melted. Time to plan the soil prep before transplanting. My soil is very sandy so I always add half a yard of new compost each spring in addition to soil amendments. I always add bone meal or crushed lobster shell and kelp meal. It's been 4 years since we had the soil tested, so it's time to do it again to see if I have to add any rock phosphate or azomite.
 
I was so hoping that the JA Hab would make it, but the cotys withered, so I pulled it up to prevent the possibility of fungal wilt spreading to the other seedlings. The other no-shows were the CAP 501, Edesalmapaprika, Locato, Golden Rocoto and Inca Rocoto. The others all gave me at least one plant. The Kapijas had 76% germination for a total of 55 seedlings. I'll keep 20 of those and give the rest to my Mom when she's ready to transplant them out.

 

[meatfreak]

Seedlings and plants are looking good, Rick. Looks like you got an excellent germinate rate. Good luck on those maters, I transplanted mine last weekend. Currently hardening them of to go into the polytunnel by the end of the week. Hope to plant them out early April again like last year

 

[PaulG]

Good work scoring the heater, Rick.  
That will make your babies very happy!
 
The sprouts are looking good, nice and
healthy even if they have been growing slowly.

 

[Plantguy76]

 
Thanks for the info Ronan, I had no idea.
 
 
That's a pretty cool looking Marigold Andy, I'll have to pass it along to my Wife. Speaking of Marigolds... the Red Gem variety I planted this past Sunday is already hooking up! I have some Lemon Gem Marigolds on back order at Johnny's Seeds, and they tell me they expect them this week.

 
Thanks for the good vibe Jason.
 
Slogging out to the community garden, I see the snow there is down to 8 inches or less. In another couple of weeks it should be pretty much melted. Time to plan the soil prep before transplanting. My soil is very sandy so I always add half a yard of new compost each spring in addition to soil amendments. I always add bone meal or crushed lobster shell and kelp meal. It's been 4 years since we had the soil tested, so it's time to do it again to see if I have to add any rock phosphate or azomite.
 
I was so hoping that the JA Hab would make it, but the cotys withered, so I pulled it up to prevent the possibility of fungal wilt spreading to the other seedlings. The other no-shows were the CAP 501, Edesalmapaprika, Locato, Golden Rocoto and Inca Rocoto. The others all gave me at least one plant. The Kapijas had 76% germination for a total of 55 seedlings. I'll keep 20 of those and give the rest to my Mom when she's ready to transplant them out.

Sorry about the plants that didn't make it wicked mike has just sent me a butt load of seed /different varieties .
Some I never heard of some I've been wanting all cool and to top it off he has told me he is going to send pods for me to try in the future !
I hope he puts some of his jerky in with it
I plan to get two bags of ocean Forrest and put out where the Brazilian Starfish &Aji melocoton will be growing and put these organic fertilizers in it and mix it up I been thinking on bone meal as well.
I am going to get some rabbit poo form a friend for my tomatoes but if I have enough might mix a bit in
Man I am glad the snow is gone hear hope things get nicer up there.
I need a wheel barrel so I can move my swimming pool beds

 

[Devv]

Nice updates Rick!
 
Everything is rocking and rolling!
 

 
Thanks Scott! You should be transplanting in-ground about now, no?

 
I planted this time last year and they just sat there for 30 days, but it's been a bit warmer this spring. So I'm looking at next weekend if the weather holds. The soil temp was 62° Sunday.

 

[stickman]

Seedlings and plants are looking good, Rick. Looks like you got an excellent germinate rate. Good luck on those maters, I transplanted mine last weekend. Currently hardening them of to go into the polytunnel by the end of the week. Hope to plant them out early April again like last year

 
Thanks for the good vibe Stefan! Wow, you have Tomatoes almost ready to transplant outside!? You're surely on the ball my friend.    I have a feeling that I won't be able to transplant outside before the end of April if things keep on as they are at the moment, but we'll get there in the end.
 

Good work scoring the heater, Rick.  
That will make your babies very happy!
 
The sprouts are looking good, nice and
healthy even if they have been growing slowly.

 
Thanks Paul... I figured that if you had such good results with the heater in your greenhouse, I aught to try it too. The main requirements being thermostatic control so I don't cook the plants in my 40x20 grow box and small enough to fit inside with room for the pepper seedlings. So far so good...

Sorry about the plants that didn't make it wicked mike has just sent me a butt load of seed /different varieties .
Some I never heard of some I've been wanting all cool and to top it off he has told me he is going to send pods for me to try in the future !
I hope he puts some of his jerky in with it
I plan to get two bags of ocean Forrest and put out where the Brazilian Starfish &Aji melocoton will be growing and put these organic fertilizers in it and mix it up I been thinking on bone meal as well.
I am going to get some rabbit poo form a friend for my tomatoes but if I have enough might mix a bit in
Man I am glad the snow is gone hear hope things get nicer up there.
I need a wheel barrel so I can move my swimming pool beds

 
Good on Mike! That was nice of him to share. It's plain to see you've been bitten by the bug Jason, so good luck and carry on.
 

Nice updates Rick!
 
Everything is rocking and rolling!
 
 
I planted this time last year and they just sat there for 30 days, but it's been a bit warmer this spring. So I'm looking at next weekend if the weather holds. The soil temp was 62° Sunday.

 
Thanks Scott! I picked up a copy of The Whole Chile Pepper Book by Dave DeWitt and Nancy Gerlach, and in the chapter on Chile cultivation they say that the ideal time to transplant them in-ground outside is when the soil temperature 4 inches down hits 65 degrees f. It strikes me that when I put down the IRT plastic mulch, that's exactly what I'm doing... warming the soil and making a warmer microclimate for the chiles.
 
Well... time to check the stock pot on the stove... I've got corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots and onions cooking in it and a quart of a locally produced Irish Stout to wash it down with.   Éireann go Brách!

 

[cypresshill1973]

You plants are beautifull, I wish you a good season Rick

 

[romy6]

 I knew you would not let me down with tons of pics of chili's and food . Thank you.
 
 
keep it green my friend .

 

[Plantguy76]

Thanks for the good vibe Stefan! Wow, you have Tomatoes almost ready to transplant outside!? You're surely on the ball my friend.    I have a feeling that I won't be able to transplant outside before the end of April if things keep on as they are at the moment, but we'll get there in the end.
 

 
Thanks Paul... I figured that if you had such good results with the heater in your greenhouse, I aught to try it too. The main requirements being thermostatic control so I don't cook the plants in my 40x20 grow box and small enough to fit inside with room for the pepper seedlings. So far so good...

 
Good on Mike! That was nice of him to share. It's plain to see you've been bitten by the bug Jason, so good luck and carry on.
 

 
Thanks Scott! I picked up a copy of The Whole Chile Pepper Book by Dave DeWitt and Nancy Gerlach, and in the chapter on Chile cultivation they say that the ideal time to transplant them in-ground outside is when the soil temperature 4 inches down hits 65 degrees f. It strikes me that when I put down the IRT plastic mulch, that's exactly what I'm doing... warming the soil and making a warmer microclimate for the chiles.
 
Well... time to check the stock pot on the stove... I've got corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots and onions cooking in it and a quart of a locally produced Irish Stout to wash it down with.   Éireann go Brách!

Thanks stickman the same to you this season

 

[stickman]

Thanks for the good vibe guys! It surely helps... I looked down in the growbox just now and spotted a hook in the C. Chacoense cell so there'll be at least one wild chile!

 
Costa Rican Yellow Pubes working on their first set of true leaves

 
Hawaiian Bird Frutascens chiles

 
... and the El Oro de Ecuador Baccatums...

 
... and brother Jamie's 7-Pot Lava...

 
Yup... the heater in the growbox made a huge difference! They're looking kinda yellow though, so time to mix up a little Epsom Salts solution to help green them up. Kapija seedlings are up to 58 for 80% germination.

 

[Sawyer]

Interesting plants you've got going, Rick.  The Costa Rican Yellow Pubes have about the thickest stems I've seen on such young plants.  And the stems on the El Oro de Ecuador look black.

 

[Pinoy83]

food porn and pods popping out.....great job brahhhh...soon there will be peppers on that food    

 

[FreeportBum]

Hi Rick everything is looking great, and that's a nice plate of grub. I'm going to have plenty of extra pube plants if you end up needing a couple we can try sending them in the mail. All the best

 

[stickman]

Hi Rick everything is looking great, and that's a nice plate of grub. I'm going to have plenty of extra pube plants if you end up needing a couple we can try sending them in the mail. All the best

 
Maybe we can rig a swap... a couple of Costa Rican Yellows for a couple of CAP 217 Hyper Pubes...
 

food porn and pods popping out.....great job brahhhh...soon there will be peppers on that food    

Those Hawaiian Bird chile seeds you sent are really energetic growers Jericson... one of the first to germinate and grow true leaves. Thanks again Brah!

 

[ronniedeb]

Seedlings and plants are looking good, Rick. Looks like you got an excellent germinate rate. Good luck on those maters, I transplanted mine last weekend. Currently hardening them of to go into the polytunnel by the end of the week. Hope to plant them out early April again like last year

 
 Stefan, I presume you're planting them into the tunnel in early April? Is the tunnel frost free or do you not get frost after early April?
 

 
 
Well... time to check the stock pot on the stove... I've got corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots and onions cooking in it and a quart of a locally produced Irish Stout to wash it down with.   Éireann go Brách!

 
Belated Happy Paddy's Day Rick. Hope you had a good one. I don't think you could get a more Irish looking dinner!