Try Turbo-1's Habanero Sauce - Hot Stuff!

[rhody]

I got my Trinidad Scorpion seeds today. As I have said right along, wouldn't it be neat to grow a 7+ foot high tree of hot peppers.

Lets take it one step further, picture something like this, but with each of the six trunks belonging to its own kind of hot pepper !
I spoke to someone at work whose Dad who was an old school grower describe a method of grafting one species on apple tree onto another.
That is another option and I don't know if it would work with peppers or not. I will continue to investigate.

I think trying a craft a piece of living art like this would be quite a challenge, don't you ?
I know because of close proximity to one another the pure line of the pepper would be diluted, but I don't care.
Its just to see if I can do it that matters. Has anyone ever trained these bamboo plants to grow this way ?
I think they use copper wire but I am not sure. More stuff to look into.

Here is another option, stacked on the right, pretty cool stuff.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7913/twistedplants.jpg http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3040/twistedplants2.jpg

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

Still waiting to bloom. A squirrel attack a few days ago knocked my two bottom buds off that were ready to bloom. Luckily, they were the only casualties.

I can recommend a couple of inexpensive single-cock pellet rifles that are pretty quiet and are in excess of 1000 fps. That's just about in .22 Short range. Your peppers shouldn't be the only casualties.

 

[rhody]

I can recommend a couple of inexpensive single-cock pellet rifles that are pretty quiet and are in excess of 1000 fps. That's just about in .22 Short range. Your peppers shouldn't be the only casualties.

Evo,

You won't need a pellet gun to dispatch the squirrel, just wait till he samples a good hot chunk of a pepper, you will see him spinning on the ground like a top. Do squirrels have long tongues ? If they do, I bet it would be hanging out and the little critter would be hi-cupping and or foaming at the mouth. The ghost plant can protect itself. At least that is my prediction anyway.

Rhody...

 

[rhody]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFxsU8WniTQ&feature=related


Here is a nice video of growing a 7 Pot Scorpion and a ghost pepper, from the middle of January for six weeks in ideal growing conditions. If you do you growing under artificial lighting and then transfer to a window like he did, this is what you can expect, 12 to 16 inches of growth, nice looking plants. He pinches all the flowers to increase height and leaf growth.

I watched a few videos on spiral bamboo training, the author uses a box with holes in it to cause the bamboo, to turn towards the light, since ghosts and Trinidad Scorpions are slow growing I don't think this approach would be practical to achieve a spiral look. I think I would be happy if I could get three or more plants to become trees in the same large pot.

I priced an industrial strength grow light 400 watt MH that requires a big ballast, a hood and hangers. Here is the breakdown. The light generates some fairly serious heat and I am told running the ballast and light will cost you $15 - $20 a month. Once you have this setup, you can do some serious growing. The shop I may use said he will give me a 10% discount as well, so that helps. I haven't pulled the trigger on this setup yet. I am mulling over the possibilities at the moment.

• Lamp $35.00
• Hood $41.50
• Ballast $145.00
• Light Hangers $20.00
• Total $241.50

Rhody...

 

[dlgoff]

A friend of mine who use to grow tomatoes on a large scale, 5000 plants per season, went to a police sale/auction of confiscated marijuana growing equipment and bought three 3-phase 5000 watt (IIRC) grow lights. He installed them in a windowless building about the size of a two car garage where he had the interior walls and ceiling painted snow white.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcWVL4B-4pI

 

[Borek]

A friend of mine who use to grow tomatoes on a large scale, 5000 plants per season, went to a police sale/auction of confiscated marijuana growing equipment and bought three 3-phase 5000 watt (IIRC) grow lights. He installed them in a windowless building about the size of a two car garage where he had the interior walls and ceiling painted snow white.

You mean he switches from tomatoes to weed?

 

[dlgoff]

You mean he switches from tomatoes to weed?

He actually started his tomato plants in there. When he transplanted them outside, he punched holes in rows of black plastic he had laid down in rows. He damned up a creek adjacent to the tomato field and pumped water into his system that distributed a trickle to each plant. He would hire 3 or 4 pickers and sold them at a big "farmers markets" in the part of Kansas City where Evo lives.

 

[rhody]

Look what just came in my e-mail... Obviously, I have not included the
vendor. I don't know if I should be shocked, insulted, envious. This offer
only lasts a limited time. Any opinions ? Would any of you buy these, and
at this price ?

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2729/salei.jpg

Rhody...

 

[rhody]

The subject of stands and grow lights came up at work. A co-worker sold one of http://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/p-9844-light-stand-12-tray-combo.aspx" awhile ago, three trays, adjustable, a 2 lights above each tray. Too bad I wasn't looking for one then, this is a nice setup. When he bought it years ago, it was over $500 back then. I am still mulling over options and possibilities. What usually happens in cases like this is that everything works out just the way it should given enough patience and time.

Just like the new track bike situation, I looked at two bikes before the best deal happened to come along. I have a friend who did me a favor and sold me the bike at a very good price. Treating people right and fairly can pay big dividends down the road.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7352/planttray.jpg

Rhody...

 

[dlgoff]

The subject of stands and grow lights came up at work. A co-worker sold one of http://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/p-9844-light-stand-12-tray-combo.aspx" awhile ago, three trays, adjustable, a 2 lights above each tray. Too bad I wasn't looking for one then, this is a nice setup. When he bought it years ago, it was over $500 back then. I am still mulling over options and possibilities. What usually happens in cases like this is that everything works out just the way it should given enough patience and time.

...

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7352/planttray.jpg

Rhody...

$500? No way. If you can grow ghost as well as you do, you can certainly make one of the for >$100. Not the same cart but for example this one at Walmart sells for $29.97.

Now for adding lights, wiring, etc. for $30 or $40.

YOU CAN DO IT!


Edit: Oh. Here's a 3 shelf cart for $49.99,

and a 4 shelf one for $69.99,

 

[Evo]

Look here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001XLSGQ/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I bought a cheap flourescent fixture from the hardware store for a few dollars and some cheap wood and made a plant stand years ago.

 

[rhody]

Look here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001XLSGQ/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I bought a cheap flourescent fixture from the hardware store for a few dollars and some cheap wood and made a plant stand years ago.

Funny Evo,

I have a plant stand very similar to the one your posted. Having said that, I talked to a guy who sells plant growing accessories. If you want results like the one I posted in the video a few posts ago, you need some serious (photon and source of heat power), hehe... I am looking into a larger heat mat for my three remaining plants that are still flowering indoors. It seems like we will have a good data set to compare through next spring and summer, a bang for the plant growing buck study if you will. Everyone who grows these types of hot pepper(s), please report on your setups and growing methods. It should generate interesting discussion to be sure.

As I said before I am still weighing my options, I never take the cheap way or or the most expensive route, but find a medium priced compromise that works for most cases.

Rhody... out...

 

[Evo]

Look what just came in my e-mail... Obviously, I have not included the
vendor. I don't know if I should be shocked, insulted, envious. This offer
only lasts a limited time. Any opinions ? Would any of you buy these, and
at this price ?

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2729/salei.jpg

Rhody...

But, if someone wants one bad enough and doesn't know where else to find one... But that price should be per pound. (unless that price included shipping)

I'm so upset that I don't have that sunroom from my old place, it was all windows and plants loved it. I will have to add a grow light.

 

[rhody]

Here is the http://homeharvest.com/lightingmain.htm" on Hi-intensity, Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium Grow lights:

Compact High Intensity Plant Grow Light Systems

High Intensity Discharge (HID) plant grow lights produce over 500% more light than regular incandescent grow bulbs using the same amount of electricity. These lights are so bright, not only can you use them for starting seeds and seedlings, you can actually GROW full size bedding plants, leafy greens, and fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. These compact fixtures by Hydrofarm® and Sunlight Supply® enable you to grow magnificent herb gardens, african violets, bonsai trees, cacti, succulents, orchids, tropicals, and most other plants as tall as 4 feet in height.

Metal halide (MH) grow lights are best for all-purpose growth, help keep plants short and compact, and provide the best color rendering. High pressure sodium (HPS) lamps work well for all-purpose growth, but are best for promoting fruiting and flowering in plants. Switchable, or convertible models allow growers to utilize each of these technologies using the same fixture.

These babies are 4000 watts three phase units and require hefty (an expensive) ballasts. The upside, reread the text in blue above, you can get mature plants without ever transplanting them, if you so choose.

I have been checking Craig's List for MH Lights and ballasts, no hits so far. I may try Flea Bay next.

Rhody...

 

[rhody]

Here are a couple of trays of peppers, the ones on the right are the evil ones, the Trinidad Scorpions. The tray on the left at the chocolate and ghost peppers.

Notice the ones on the left are getting leggy. I believe the four in front of the tray on the left are the chocolate ghosts. I tried as an experiment, to peel the second tier of leaf stems off of one of the chocolate ones to see if it would still grow and heal or hurt or kill the plant. I even use a tripod to get these pictures and would like some advice on getting better contrast, etc... I tried with and without flash and various camera settings, nothing produced sharp results.

I am pleased all four Trinidad Scorpion's came up. They sprouted three of four days apart and now the newer ones seem to be catching up with the others. I find that a bit odd.

Remember, my goal is to somehow get a tree like structure out of this. I will fertilize tomorrow and post new pictures if I see a growth spurt, they say you should only fertilize about once a week, so I am sticking with that for now.

Rhody...

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/4783/babypeppers.jpg

P.S. Mature ghosts upstairs now under heat mat are doing fine, some leaves brown near edges, flowers and peppers still forming, at a slower pace. When I see flowers I put the fan on them during the day to help pollinate.

 

[Ms Music]

Does anyone live far enough south to have native tepins? (chiltepins, chilitepins, what ever they go by)

Thinking I need to get my heat mat out here soon and start my seeds, but will wait for tepins if anyone has some!

(oops, forgot this part)
Turbo, I read recently in another forum where a few people thought that orange habs had a chemical flavor, while the red habs were divine. I probably need to try the reds! Have you had the orange? If my memory serves me right, you said you grow red. But my memory serves no one.

 

[Borek]

Peter peppers:

I think they fail to rise up to expectation.

 

[Evo]

Peter peppers:

I think they fail to rise up to expectation.

Maybe add viagra to their water, although, I can see the resemblance.

 

[Borek]

No doubt there is some resemblance - but apparently pictures shown by sellers are either photoshopped, or peppers were selected from very large crop. I had about thirty or forty peppers - and they mostly looked like these two. One plant had crippled fruits, short and twisted. But they were not more phallic, they were just ugly looking.

 

[Evo]

Oh, they're rare. I may try my hand at them next year, but they're very hot.

The pepper is considered very rare, and its origin is unknown.[2][3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_pepper

 

[rhody]

No doubt there is some resemblance - but apparently pictures shown by sellers are either photoshopped, or peppers were selected from very large crop. I had about thirty or forty peppers - and they mostly looked like these two. One plant had crippled fruits, short and twisted. But they were not more phallic, they were just ugly looking.

Nice photo's Borek,

What background, lighting do you use ? More important what kind of camera do you use ? I saw your trip photo's earlier this year, some shots were stunning. Did you bounce the flash as well ?

Rhody...

 

[rhody]

Oh, they're rare. I may try my hand at them next year, but they're very hot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_pepper

Evo,

Have you tred a tiny morsel of a ghost pepper ?

Rhody...

 

[Borek]

What background, lighting do you use ?

Just a large (100cmx70cm) black paper for the background, combination of flashes for lightning.

More important what kind of camera do you use ?

EOS 7D, various lenses. We occasionally discuss our gear in the photography threads, and if you want to continue this discussion it will be better to move there.

Did you bounce the flash as well ?

Yes, but I am not sure about details of this particular shot. I simply don't remember. Two basic setups I am using are two side flashes bounced from the ceiling or two side flashes with umbrellas. Judging from the shadows it was the ceiling variant.

 

[rhody]

Thanks Borek, if I need more help I will continue discussion there.

Now, onto the ever escalating arms race in the war to produce ever hotter variants of the hottest peppers. The latest http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_87_115.cfm?action=display&id=7968" : HP22B grown by Ed Currie of Rock Hill, South Carolina. It has been measured at 1.5 million scoville units but not independently verified by the Guinness Book of records.

But Calloway says Currie may be on to something trying to develop high-level capsaicin peppers for cancer research.

“The unique thing about Ed’s peppers[is that] as a generator of capsaicin they are much more efficient than other peppers,” Calloway says.

More capsaicin means more cancer-killing potential. Dr. Calloway has been helping Currie test the capsaicin in his peppers for a few years, and says he thinks Currie may indeed have the world’s hottest.

A pepper’s heat is measured in Scoville units. The one Ed has to beat, the Trinidad Scorpion “Butch T” from Australia, measures 1.4 million Scoville. Dr. Calloway says Ed’s Guinness pepper, on average, measures 1.5 million Scoville. For comparison, a regular jalapeño is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,500-5,000 Scoville.

So, what happens when you eat such a hot pepper?

“Your heart will race, you’ll sweat,” Currie says. “You might shake, you might throw up. But once it gets into your blood stream and gets into your brain the capsaicin releases the same endorphins that narcotics do. So you get a euphoric feeling.”

Currie, a banker by day, says:

“After God, and then my wife - family, friends, peppers,” Currie says.

I have to hand it to him, he has the passion...

Rhody...

 

[rhody]

I am pretty sure I have a problem. I think I have ants in the dirt for my three indoor pepper plants, and I want to get rid of them without contaminating the plant and ruining the peppers. Any suggestions ? I could put ant food traps in them, and put the pots in a big pan and fill the pan with ant killer to keep them from escaping. I am looking for a natural way to rid myself of them for the winter. Ideas ?

Rhody...

 

[Ms Music]

It obviously depends on the type of ants, but since I had ant issues at my rental house (that one time set up residency in a pot) I will offer this bit of advice.

http://www.biconet.com/crawlers/terroant.html"

What I had are apparently called "odiferous house ants" or "pine ants", as when you pinch them they smell like pine. I had called a pest eliminator company after completely giving up, and they told me I didn't need them to spray, that I only needed the Terro. Works like a charm. No other trap had enticed these ants. But if it isn't the same ant, it may not work. If so, hopefully someone else can help. But that is my two cents of advice.

Ps, I love that pest elimination company! They COULD have charged me 150 or more and sprayed. Good, honest people.

 

[turbo]

Terro baits work well. They are sugar-water and borax - no toxins.

 

[rhody]

Thanks Ms_Music, Turbo,

I have ant traps now, not sure they are sugar water and borax, but I will try a few, they have clear tops and 5 or 6 entrances to take the bait, I will put some in the dirt with them. If that doesn't work, then surrounding the pots with a "moat of death" is the next best idea I can think of. I am glad these things can't hop or fly.

Rhody...

 

[Ms Music]

Just had another thought. If you use the Terro baits, put something down (plastic, foil) to protect any surfaces. The syrup is nearly impossible to get up if it spills accidentally and dries. Said from experience. *blushing*

Also, if they ARE odiferous house ants, Terro is the only bait that will work.

 

[turbo]

Terro baits are cheap and safe and they work very well. The best thing about them is that if the ants have a colony that is out of your sight, the borax still works because the ants take that sugar-water to their nest-mates and share it, so they all will die in a couple of days. You can't get that kind of performance out of direct-application poisons.

 

[Evo]

Terro baits are cheap and safe and they work very well. The best thing about them is that if the ants have a colony that is out of your sight, the borax still works because the ants take that sugar-water to their nest-mates and share it, so they all will die in a couple of days. You can't get that kind of performance out of direct-application poisons.

My mom used to make her own borax baits when I was little.

 

[rhody]

More ghost peppers, red, red-green and chocolate for sale:

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7533/ghostsw.jpg

Creativity knows no limits, see below:

A small local distillery called dryfly may work with me to produce a ghost pepper vodka early next year. I am trying also to work with Ben and Jerry to make a ghost pepper ice cream and finally one of my buddies who owns a pizzeria called Pudge Brother may make a ghost pepper pizza to enjoy with Ice Beer.

Rhody...

 

[Evo]

More ghost peppers, red, red-green and chocolate for sale:

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7533/ghostsw.jpg

Creativity knows no limits, see below:


Rhody...

Darn, I owe you $80 Rhody. Do these people sell many at that price? Tha's crazy!

 

[rhody]

Darn, I owe you $80 Rhody. Do these people sell many at that price? Tha's crazy!

I am as amazed as you Evo. Yes, he must, people are passionate about these crazy peppers. You see it in the constant effort to cultivate even hotter varieties. They are time and labor (mild) intensive to grow, and once ripe they don't last long unless you freeze them like Turbo suggests (dry them good and triple bag them and put in the freezer). You are seeing the beginning of the acceptance and diversification of them into our food chain. My last post reflects what people are willing to try to find a niche in the market. Hey, I wish them well in their endeavors.

From what I have seen after e-mailing three or four folks who grow these, they all are passionate and creative. Pretty amazing to watch unfold before you, isn't it ?

Rhody...

 

[dlgoff]

Darn, I owe you $80 Rhody. Do these people sell many at that price? Tha's crazy!

I am as amazed as you Evo. Yes, he must, people are passionate about these crazy peppers. You see it in the constant effort to cultivate even hotter varieties.

I see a new entrepreneur in the works. You have the passion and know-how. Go for it rhody.

They are time and labor (mild) intensive to grow, and once ripe they don't last long unless you freeze them like Turbo suggests (dry them good and triple bag them and put in the freezer).

Well, I still have a few left and they're in good condition (stored in my refrigerator at a very cold temperature with high humidity). I just used one in a batch of chilli.

 

[rhody]

Here is a "before" and "after" picture of my three ghosts of being trimmed for the winter hiatus.
Can you tell which plant is the two year old one ? The bottom picture is the baby ghosts, about the
size of a nickel I saved before trimming the plants back.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/962/peppersbefore.jpg


[PLAIN]http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2923/peppersafter.jpg

[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/babypeppers.jpg/]
[PLAIN]http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/4783/babypeppers.jpg

Rhody...

 

[rootX]

I see a new entrepreneur in the works. You have the passion and know-how. Go for it rhody.

I will be the first customer! :!)

dlgoff, you can join rhody and sell big ghost eggs

 

[Evo]

Here is a "before" and "after" picture of my three ghosts of being trimmed for the winter hiatus.
Can you tell which plant is the two year old one ? The bottom picture is the baby ghosts, about the
size of a nickel I saved before trimming the plants back.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/962/peppersbefore.jpg


[PLAIN]http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2923/peppersafter.jpg

AAAARGHHH! Will that throw them into shock?

 

[rhody]

AAAARGHHH! Will that throw them into shock?

I hope not Evo, I did the same thing to the oldest one this spring when I planted it outdoors and it came back just fine, only time will tell though.

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

I'm going to try raising ghosts in the garden this summer, right alongside the Savinas. I have had a couple of crappy years in a row, but that was not always the case. There were years when I had bumper crops of ripe habaneros from just a few plants.

BTW, this is the very basic set of ingredients for a batch of habanero relish. Ripe peppers, fresh hard-neck garlic, and chopped dill florets. The flowering heads of dill are far more flavorful than the weed (leaves).

 

[rhody]

I'm going to try raising ghosts in the garden this summer, right alongside the Savinas. I have had a couple of crappy years in a row, but that was not always the case. There were years when I had bumper crops of ripe habaneros from just a few plants.

BTW, this is the very basic set of ingredients for a batch of habanero relish. Ripe peppers, fresh hard-neck garlic, and chopped dill florets. The flowering heads of dill are far more flavorful than the weed (leaves).

Turbo,

If I have success with the trinidad scorpions (TS), and God knows something even hotter that hits the market, I am going to venture to guess that you will meet your limit with the TS peppers. The video's I have seen of people attempting to eat them are very scary.

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

Turbo,

If I have success with the trinidad scorpions (TS), and God knows something even hotter that hits the market, I am going to venture to guess that you will meet your limit with the TS peppers. The video's I have seen of people attempting to eat them are very scary.

Rhody...

We'll see, rhody. I like the ghosts. They are rich and sweet, along with the heat. I made my shrimp marinade/basting sauce with one of them (flesh only, because I wanted to save the seeds), and my wife said the shrimp weren't spicy enough. The next time I made them, I used 3 ghosts instead of 1. When I served them, she said they were real hot, then she and my father proceeded to make those shrimp disappear. I had to scramble to get my share. You've never seen a pound of grilled jumbo shrimp evaporate like that. 3 ghosts basted onto one pound of shrimp seems like just about the right proportions. My father used to like to eat chili peppers until he turned about 70 or so, and said that the heat was bothering him. He didn't seem phased by the heat when he was wolfing down the shrimp.

 

[rhody]

We'll see, rhody. I like the ghosts. They are rich and sweet, along with the heat. I made my shrimp marinade/basting sauce with one of them (flesh only, because I wanted to save the seeds), and my wife said the shrimp weren't spicy enough. The next time I made them, I used 3 ghosts instead of 1. When I served them, she said they were real hot, then she and my father proceeded to make those shrimp disappear. I had to scramble to get my share. You've never seen a pound of grilled jumbo shrimp evaporate like that. 3 ghosts basted onto one pound of shrimp seems like just about the right proportions. My father used to like to eat chili peppers until he turned about 70 or so, and said that the heat was bothering him. He didn't seem phased by the heat when he was wolfing down the shrimp.

God, Turbo...

I have come to the conclusion that you and your family are HEAT FREAKS. If four out of five people who try the trinidad's puke from them and you are your brood don't and like them, then you are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt4xlYXh0Fw".

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

God, Turbo...

I have come to the conclusion that you and your family are HEAT FREAKS. If four out of five people who try the trinidad's puke from them and you are your brood don't and like them, then you are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt4xlYXh0Fw".

Rhody...

Not really, rhody. My wife likes my habanero relish, but only in moderation. I'll load up my hot dogs with that relish and hot mustard and chow down, but I always save the last bite for her. She never asks, but she'd be quite disappointed if I didn't.

She made a nice soup yesterday with hamburg, black beans, corn, carrots, and a very spicy tomato sauce that we had made up (that's where the last of the ghosts ended up), and it's delicious. I wouldn't sell it at a lunch-wagon without offering customers a trial taste, because it would be a bit over-the-top for people who are intolerant of hot food. Still, it is a wonderful soup and I'm nuking some up for my lunch right now.

 

[rhody]

I have proof that my trimmed pepper plants like the heat mat, and it makes them grow at a more rapid pace. I picked one of my cut back plants and put a heat mat under it. After a week there is at least two times the growth (areas that are sprouting) and leaves that are twice as large as my other two plants. All three plants got the same amount of water and sun. I fertilize weekly as well. That leaves little doubt that the heat mats are doing their job and the plant is very sensitive to temperature, even if only at the root level. Questions, comments ?

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

That goes along with my seat-of-the-pants evaluation, rhody. The soil temperature in the garden has a lot to do with growth rate. Chilies like Sun, warm soil, and not too much nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth and suppresses fruiting and ripening. The last 2-3 years, I have had cool, cloudy weather for much of the growing season, so I have had to make do with unripe habanero chilies for my relishes. Quite disappointing. This year, I barely got any ripe Hungarian Wax (paprika) chilies, and they are usually as dependable as can be.

 

[rhody]

That goes along with my seat-of-the-pants evaluation, rhody. The soil temperature in the garden has a lot to do with growth rate. Chilies like Sun, warm soil, and not too much nitrogen. Nitrogen promotes leafy growth and suppresses fruiting and ripening. The last 2-3 years, I have had cool, cloudy weather for much of the growing season, so I have had to make do with unripe habanero chilies for my relishes. Quite disappointing. This year, I barely got any ripe Hungarian Wax (paprika) chilies, and they are usually as dependable as can be.

Find a way to heat the Earth near your plants turbo, too bad we didn't live in Iceland. We could take advantage of the geothermal vents everywhere and pump naturally hot water in radiant plastic pipes near the root systems of the plants. I am convinced it would work like a charm. Hard to imagine an economical answer without outlaying some serious cash for an outdoor spring/summer/fall application. A green house is the way to go, possibly solar powered with inverters and batteries as well.

I will switch the mat to the other two plants this week so they can start to catch up with the other one.

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

I have considered using black plastic sheeting on the beds, and planting right through the plastic when my seedlings are growing well. I'm not a big fan of using plastic, though. Also, if you have to water, plastic sheeting makes it tough to give the soil a good soaking, unless you want to invest in a drip system/perforated hose under the sheeting. I always mulch my garlic with oat straw, but even that mulch provides good cover for slugs. Gardening organically has its challenges.

 

[dlgoff]

I have considered using black plastic sheeting on the beds, and planting right through the plastic when my seedlings are growing well. I'm not a big fan of using plastic, though. Also, if you have to water, plastic sheeting makes it tough to give the soil a good soaking, unless you want to invest in a drip system/perforated hose under the sheeting. I always mulch my garlic with oat straw, but even that mulch provides good cover for slugs. Gardening organically has its challenges.

A friend of mid planted 5K tomato plants through black plastic (me too for a few melons), and he used a long thin hose (with pump) with a drip tube on each plant from his pond/damned creak. He made tones on money selling at farmers markets; hiring several people to pick them.

 

[dlgoff]

God, Turbo...

I have come to the conclusion that you and your family are HEAT FREAKS...
Rhody...

I think I'm one too. I am getting low on the ghost but I had one (seeds and all) today with my left-over Thanks Giving ham, g-beans, and mashed potatoes. Outstanding.

Thanks