Wicked Mike's 2015 Growlog

AK47 · Apr 19, 2015

Wow, great stuff Mike!

Wicked Mike · Apr 19, 2015

Garden Retrospective (1/2):

As the season here for nonpepper stuff draws to a close, it seemed like a good time to take a look at what the side project at the school has accomplished.

It's been a great season. It's not just the plants that have grown:

We got off to a good start:

All help was appreciated:

Things started coming up:

The garden started to build steam, and the kids got even more into it:

Somewhere along the way, they realized the beauty of the natural work:

socalgardengal · Apr 19, 2015

Beautiful! I still feel like a kid when I watch everything grow

Awesome job!

grantmichaels · Apr 19, 2015

future smart-ass's of America ...

Wicked Mike · Apr 19, 2015

Garden Retrospective (2/2):

The adults learned something, too: for the educational system to work, we need to rethink our approach to the modern classroom.

Before we knew it, it was time to harvest:

And yes, we even started a ferment:

Just want to say thank you to everyone. The THP community made this happen, and it's really made a huge difference to these kids.

grantmichaels said:
future smart-ass's of America ...

Oh, Eduardo's already a smartass. Love that kid.

Plantguy76 · Apr 19, 2015

Wicked Mike said:
Garden Retrospective (2/2):

The adults learned something, too: for the educational system to work, we need to rethink our approach to the modern classroom.

Before we knew it, it was time to harvest:

And yes, we even started a ferment:

Just want to say thank you to everyone. The THP community made this happen, and it's really made a huge difference to these kids.

Oh, Eduardo's already a smartass. Love that kid.

Just wonderful glad you shared Mike :dance:

cone9 · Apr 19, 2015

The kids look like they really got into the work. Great to see!

I'll bet you sprouted some future chiliheads!

ribbedturtleneck · Apr 19, 2015

Mike, that's beautiful to see. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to share those smiles. Great to see kids get excited about something that isn't electronic.

Reminds me of when my girls ask if we can go downstairs and check the zinnias... Can't wait to get outside more soon.

Actually, sowed some lettuce seed outside today. Thanks.

dennish · Apr 20, 2015

Wicked Mike said:
It's been an education for me. The incredible diversity to be found, most of it in just five species, blows my mind. Compare that to, say orchids...

The Mortalii is a variety grown from seeds generously shared by one of the better horticulturists I've come across; I'll leave it up to him to chime in if he wants to. In any event, it's a worthwhile plant that I'm already propagating vegetatively.

Yellow Fatalii on the left. Mortality on the right.

I'm also, as it happens, a huge fan of Yellow CARDIs, one plant in particular:

Thanks for the reply Mike and beautiful looking pods, that TS CARDI is a monster - stunning. I have a 4 year old CARDI plant that delights me with ripe pods from April to November each year if I'm lucky (UK weather permitting)! Is the CARDI red you are growing a natural mutation or a cross and how does it compare to the yellow in terms or heat/taste/productivity?

Also well done on the school project and great pics, simply inspirational!

Wicked Mike · Apr 25, 2015

So I picked when I got home from work yesterday. Looks like it's going to be a busy afternoon.

dennish said:
Thanks for the reply Mike and beautiful looking pods, that TS CARDI is a monster - stunning. I have a 4 year old CARDI plant that delights me with ripe pods from April to November each year if I'm lucky (UK weather permitting)! Is the CARDI red you are growing a natural mutation or a cross and how does it compare to the yellow in terms or heat/taste/productivity?

Also well done on the school project and great pics, simply inspirational!

Good question; I'm not sure. I originally got them from Wes (Joemama). Thanks for the appreciation; the kids inspire me too.

Pepper Ridge Farm · Apr 25, 2015

Great harvest shots and just wonderful pictures of the school children learning to grow. It is like give a man a fish feed him only for a day, teach him to fish and feed him a lifetime. Those kids look like lifetime gardeners and all thanks to you. Really helps you are in Miami and able to grow from seed to produce while the kids are in school. I must admit I am a bit jealous of all your fresh pods sitting on paper towels as our season is only beginning, really nice work all the way around brother!

Wicked Mike · Apr 25, 2015

Thanks, Cap. Leave it to you work in a fishing metaphor.

Also, PM incoming.
I've been working on something very exciting, but didn't want to say anything about it before I was sure.

Got this in the mail at work last week:

jcw10tc · Apr 25, 2015

Wicked Mike said:
So I picked when I got home from work yesterday. Looks like it's going to be a busy afternoon.

Nice harvest. Wish I had your weather, can't even put outside for another 20 or 30 days probably. Going to be in the mid 30's next 3 nights.

Plantguy76 · Apr 25, 2015

Wicked Mike said:
So I picked when I got home from work yesterday. Looks like it's going to be a busy afternoon.

Good question; I'm not sure. I originally got them from Wes (Joemama). Thanks for the appreciation; the kids inspire me too.

Beautiful pods Mike I hope my plants produce as bountifully & look as nice as yours!!!

Yellowfin2na · Apr 26, 2015

Holey shoot that's awesome

Alchymystic · Apr 26, 2015

Thanks for the awesome and inspirational pics Mike! So great to see kids doing something positive and learning something that can benefit them or others for the rest of their lives! Hope it makes a lasting impression on them and they become gardeners for life. I contrast this with all the kids I see zombie like walking around staring at their phones- they don’t even know or notice (or care..”uh, …that’s stupid!”) about the joys of the natural world around them. The simple pleasure of getting dirty- even smelling the soil most are oblivious of!

Those fresh peppers are drool worthy! Self admittedly a bit jealous as well. Truly blessed to have such abundance/variety…especially this time of year. Had to turn the heat on past these two mornings. Keep it up!

Peter S · Apr 26, 2015

Mike, you did a great thing working with those kids. I know that had to have made a lasting impression. I'm sure they will continue to learn and teach others too. Kind of jealous, wish we had a you come to our school when I was growing up.

Those pods from your harvest look delicious.

Pulpiteer · Apr 30, 2015

Awesome stuff with the students! I love how the science led to art and all of it to appreciation of nature and growing. Very cool!
And your pod shots are great - beautiful looking peppers!

Wicked Mike · May 24, 2015

Backstage pass FTW:

Those guys are doing some really, really interesting research.

I also planted some seeds last night (you know...because I needed more plants to keep up with

). I couldn't resist:

CGN 21500 x 7 Pot Barrackpore
PI 159236
PI 210566
PI 224411
PI 281317
PI 322721
PI 439437
PI 487450
PI 585278
PI 640905

Plantguy76 · May 25, 2015

Hey Mike what's a few more plants you can always a few more plants ,dirt & pots etc right right lol
Its seems we are of like minds Mike hang in there hopefully you can get some rest in between times .