Saturday 22 June 2013
A few photos
So, finally I managed to get me, the camera and the chilli plants in the same place at the same time. So voila, a few photos.
Sunday 16 June 2013
Where did that go?
Time waits for no man and I'm afraid this blog has been a little neglected of late.
I blame myself.
However, the chilli year marches on, albeit in fits and starts. The weather has been cold and wet (April was ok, but May was poor and June has been mixed so far).
Well, lowlights so far:
A lot of the seeds didn't germinate. I suspect the heated prop is too hot, in the end I had to fit a timer and oscillate between on and off. Major hassle. I did a second sowing and this has resulted in most varieties coming up - but these plants are definitely behind the first batch.
Nothing survived the over-wintering process. I have no idea what happened, but zero survival rate is unheard of. I will have to try something different next year.
After a month in the greenhouse, nothing much had happened and the early leaves were looking shabby - I suspected red spider mite, but couldn't see any evidence, but gave the plants a quick spray anyway. They do seem to have perked up in the last weeks or so, but the new generation of leaves are smaller (and greener) than the ones they replace. Hmm.
Generally the plants are a lot smaller than last year, but here's hoping for a bit of catch-up
I tried to get my usual supply of Chilli Focus - but was quoted £20 a bottle (I usually pay £15) so I refused on principle. This year I am therefore using Chempak 4 instead. I hope I wont regret this.
Highlights:
Well, not many.
I have a few pods on 7-pod barrackpore and on bunte mischung, with flowers appearing on a few more plants.
Some of the varieties are looking better than others - I'll endeavor to do the camera thing at some point - hopefully a switch in the weather will help. Come on sun.
Last autumn I took a Peruvian Purple into work - I have a very warm office area that hits thirty degrees in the morning when the sun is on it. The plant loves it. It struggled through the winter, but now the light levels have got better the plant has just gone crazy. The only downside is the lack of flower pollination (despite my best efforts) means not too many pods. However, as an experiment you have to say it's been a great success.
Ok... so that's the update for now. Hopefully pictures and more commentary to follow.
I blame myself.
However, the chilli year marches on, albeit in fits and starts. The weather has been cold and wet (April was ok, but May was poor and June has been mixed so far).
Well, lowlights so far:
A lot of the seeds didn't germinate. I suspect the heated prop is too hot, in the end I had to fit a timer and oscillate between on and off. Major hassle. I did a second sowing and this has resulted in most varieties coming up - but these plants are definitely behind the first batch.
Nothing survived the over-wintering process. I have no idea what happened, but zero survival rate is unheard of. I will have to try something different next year.
After a month in the greenhouse, nothing much had happened and the early leaves were looking shabby - I suspected red spider mite, but couldn't see any evidence, but gave the plants a quick spray anyway. They do seem to have perked up in the last weeks or so, but the new generation of leaves are smaller (and greener) than the ones they replace. Hmm.
Generally the plants are a lot smaller than last year, but here's hoping for a bit of catch-up
I tried to get my usual supply of Chilli Focus - but was quoted £20 a bottle (I usually pay £15) so I refused on principle. This year I am therefore using Chempak 4 instead. I hope I wont regret this.
Highlights:
Well, not many.
I have a few pods on 7-pod barrackpore and on bunte mischung, with flowers appearing on a few more plants.
Some of the varieties are looking better than others - I'll endeavor to do the camera thing at some point - hopefully a switch in the weather will help. Come on sun.
Last autumn I took a Peruvian Purple into work - I have a very warm office area that hits thirty degrees in the morning when the sun is on it. The plant loves it. It struggled through the winter, but now the light levels have got better the plant has just gone crazy. The only downside is the lack of flower pollination (despite my best efforts) means not too many pods. However, as an experiment you have to say it's been a great success.
Ok... so that's the update for now. Hopefully pictures and more commentary to follow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)