overwintering Time To Overwinter

[Sauced]

Today I took five plants from summer growing. I have not overwintered before; so I decided to get all materials together, and look over the root system of each as I hosed the plants down. What a relief when I saw each plant with an incredibly healthy root structure throughout my five gallon grow bags. I trimmed back roots and branches, fed the plants ew soil, and placed them at the window for the winter. They are now going to be living in three gallon grow bags where I plan to use a journal to document soil and feeding applied and for its duration indoors. Due to the health of the plants, I hope to have success with them all.
I have the first picture below of the plants. I shall judge watering based on inside temps, sunlight at window, and root thirst. Ive seen so many people talk about different methods. I only hope I stick to this for the duration and offer details every two to four weeks by notes and photos. Anyhow...

 

[sinensis]

i look forward to reading the updates!
 
 

 

[Sauced]

My apology for forgetting. I am going to add the details of what was used as a mix.
Soil: 85% mix of...
Roots Organic 707 and Full Circle Soar
15% mix of...
Alaska Humas

Nutes: small amounts...
Down to Earth
All Purpose 4-6-2
Neem Seed Meal 6-1-2
Fish Bome Meal 3-16-0

Water down:
Cannazyme low strength

Reason for the above, I wished to offer the roots and plants a chance to get fresh soil, and ingredients that emphasize best for roots to do well. I also added water slowly to plants until watered throughout. I drained all excess so that roots dont get waterlogged.
My next update will be with picture when time to water again.

 

[austin87]

If those sticks don't grow any leaves it will be a long time before they need any water. Check weight of the pots now (just watered) so you can compare to what a lighter (drier) pot feels like.
 
Are you going for dormant? Or do you want the plant to kick out some new growth and be slowly growing in the window sill?

 

[Sauced]

I am going for dormant. They are sticks, just cut off branches yesterday. The window allows some light, and best location,
As for watering, I agree. I will water only as plant feels light. I say now Im two to three weeks as hypothetical, since warmth of room may dictate quicker evaporation in 68-75 range room then an area in 50s. It may be three to four between watering. My logging details will help as I likely adjust and inform. The pictures, as they get updated, hopefully help us see if this works out.
I appreciate all input and concerns or questions. I hope the details help more that like the idea to try it.

 

[austin87]

With those temps they might grow a little bit in the window - that's fine. I would cut off any growth that does occur, just let them grow slowly.

 

[Sauced]

I lift the plants every few days so that I may learn about evaporation loss of water content. Based on my placement of the plants, warmth and lighting, I was in need of replenishment so today, after 12 days, I refilled with about 50 oz each. I usually use my watering can that fills about 45 oz (3 pint cups).
Now I will see how long until the next refill.

 

[johnny1990]

Nice overwinters

 

[Chorizo857_62J]

That looks great!

 

[Sauced]

Just water today. Realized through evaluation that with all factors being the same, and watering about every two weeks, I have one of five plants that has not been healthy and reactive like the other four. My believe is that the one not as good is the one that was my experiment with souls and nutrient changes more so then the other four types that were more consistnat, less disturbed through growth. More backing of that idea being that its root structure was about 40% that of the others. As the plants have settled for the past month, I continue to pluck young, developing branches so that root structures are in check. I also see that the branches of the least healthy one has a lot of die back whereas the other for were very minute.

 

[Sauced]

Well, I started Oct. 1 tranfering indoors. New soil, and plans for dormacy.
Watering was:
Oct. 1, 13, 29
Nov. 7, 25
I did a better calculation of watering and found it is 54oz in my watering jug. Each plant getting that.
Although the Jolokia is like a bear Hibernating, the rest are like juveniles not wanting to nap.
One even has tiny pods, silly rabbit.

 

[Sauced]

Well today there are no new photos to share. The plants are just taking it easy. Meanwhile Ive started germinating five new pepper plants, and recently started a batch of super soil that will be charging for next 3.5 months. Once they are ready, that soil is going to ROCK. Very excited. Its so hard to just say its winter and so I must not think of my passion for growing.

 

[Sauced]

After three months I started to see die back on three of five plants. Two of five are maintaining leaf structure. Of the three that have die back, I decided to transplant them into my supersoil I created a while ago. Although its not at optimum for another two months, whereupon the nutrients have broken down completely to be available to plants, the soil is in great shape to help them.
Upon taking the plants out of their winter containers, I saw much toot die back as well. Roots were insad shape. Come would need to expect that, being that you are feeding it very little, and no real sunlight. I believe that the transplanting and nutrient feed will allow them to come around slowly, since they are indoors still. Thexroots will start to recover within the next month to two, then when time for the permanent containers for outdoors in April, the soil and plants will all be ready.
As for my other two, I am slowly increasing feeding, and will look to transplant those in late March- hopefully.

 

[Sauced]

Its been a while. Only my 7 Pot and Ramirez Stinger survives the winter. They are nowxrather big. Hard to get good shots. My pepper plant area is rather busy.