Well, its snowing out again. How depressing. I am glad for on days like these I can retreat to my small little room down in the corner of the basement where it is a balmy 62 degrees and there is everything that represents the warmth of spring.
So to day, as every other day I come home from work and kick off my boots, talk to my dogs and head for the belasement. Once I get down there this is what I find....
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110225_162742.jpg[/img]
I looked at all the others that I have, and the are all getting what I believe to be flower bulbs. My plan was to build the raised beds this weekend and build the hoop houses as well and then in mid to late March put them out in the beds.
What happens now since they are appearing to flower? Once the bulbs open up do they pollinate themselves or do I need to do it? Is I need to do it, how? Lol I Tess I got some readng to do.
It has been about six or seven weeks since I dropped the tiny little seeds into the soil. I knew I started them early but I never thought they would flower indoors.
Also they are under 6500k powered shop lights. I did not think there was enough red waves in those light to produce flowers. I thought they were more on the blue end of the light.
I built a spectrometer the other day and it showed both red and blue. Cool I though. I have also have been feeding them a bit of food once a week. Its diluted so I think I am ok.
So anyhow. If these bulbs do flower out, and I am pretty sure that it looks like they will do I need to pollinated them myself and how do I do it?
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
OK, they are definitely getting ready to flower. By question for you is are you going to be keeping them in pots, or will you be planting them outside?
If you will be planting them outside (which I think you are) I'd suggest picking off the flowers.
The reason I say this is when I planted my peppers in the garden last year, I plucked the flowers off of some and left the flowers on the others. Now, I didn't have a large sampling to work with, but my observations were that the plants that had the flowers left on bore the first fruits.....but under-performed the plants without the flowers.
On the other hand, the plants without the flowers produced a few weeks later, but did better overall.
I do believe in many instances that if a plant is flowering, to let it be (it knows what it's doing).
However, in this scenario, I would say that it looks like it is better to allow the plant to establish a root-system before fruiting. Seems to workout better in the long-run that way.
For full disclosure, I will say that my plants were small and root-bound to some degree when I planted them. Perhaps this does not matter as much for larger, up-potted plants
.
I would say to at least pick off the flowers on some of the plants so that you could do a side-by-side for yourself this year and see what works best for you.
Hope this helps.
If you will be planting them outside (which I think you are) I'd suggest picking off the flowers.
The reason I say this is when I planted my peppers in the garden last year, I plucked the flowers off of some and left the flowers on the others. Now, I didn't have a large sampling to work with, but my observations were that the plants that had the flowers left on bore the first fruits.....but under-performed the plants without the flowers.
On the other hand, the plants without the flowers produced a few weeks later, but did better overall.
I do believe in many instances that if a plant is flowering, to let it be (it knows what it's doing).
However, in this scenario, I would say that it looks like it is better to allow the plant to establish a root-system before fruiting. Seems to workout better in the long-run that way.
For full disclosure, I will say that my plants were small and root-bound to some degree when I planted them. Perhaps this does not matter as much for larger, up-potted plants
. I would say to at least pick off the flowers on some of the plants so that you could do a side-by-side for yourself this year and see what works best for you.
Hope this helps.
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Excellent advice. I appreciate it. Since I have a ton of plants I will pick half the plants with flowers and Tue other half I will let do as they please.
I agree to I think they could be a bit root bound butcthe really don't seem to be slowing down or acting like they don't like the pots. They are in eight inch pots now. It just seemed to me and mayby I am wrong but I just thought it was a bit early to be putting on flowers since they were started seven to eight weeks ago. I would have to check my spreadsheet when I get home and see the exact start date.
Is it ok to feel a little bad about picking the flowers off lol...
T.M.H.
I agree to I think they could be a bit root bound butcthe really don't seem to be slowing down or acting like they don't like the pots. They are in eight inch pots now. It just seemed to me and mayby I am wrong but I just thought it was a bit early to be putting on flowers since they were started seven to eight weeks ago. I would have to check my spreadsheet when I get home and see the exact start date.
Is it ok to feel a little bad about picking the flowers off lol...
T.M.H.
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DoubleDogFarm
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
I don't have a lot of experience with peppers, but many stressed plants will set flowers. I would definitely check for root bound plants.
I've seen leafy greens, spinach and Asian greens, basically go right to seed heads. In this case most likely water and heat stress.
Eric
I've seen leafy greens, spinach and Asian greens, basically go right to seed heads. In this case most likely water and heat stress.
Eric
Last edited by DoubleDogFarm on Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Well a small update before getting the day started. Last week I had been wondering about the peppers and tomatoes being root bound so I decided to try my hand art container gardening as well. Here is what I had done.
I had four bucket around the house that were nit being used for anything so I figured there you go. Make shift pots!
I got the potting mix out and got it moist, but not wet. I then picked out three tomatoes and one pepper plant. The pepper plant has been in an eight inch pot fora a while NW and I thought for sure it was root bound. Turns out that was not the case at all. Only about half root bound. So into the bucket he went.
I also took two tomatoes and planted them in the buckets. I sunk them a little deeper than they were in the ice cream buckets heh. The last tomato I planted is yet another experiment. Since the are bushing out pretty good I thought I would try to encourage some upward growth. So I cut off the lower branches and planted him real deep. He's not dead yet but he's also not any taller or wider yet. But is only been a week.
Last week I also moved these guys up to the with does upstairs. They seemed to like this as well. So figuring since thy like the sunlight in the window and the temps have been very nice I have been leaving them outside all day in full sun. So far so good. I think I am going to bring the eight inch pots outside today to maybe.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110311_110155.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110311_110202.jpg[/img]
Happy gardening to all. Anyone want to help carry pots around? Heheh. I still hope for tomatoes and peppers mid to late April.
T.M.H.
I had four bucket around the house that were nit being used for anything so I figured there you go. Make shift pots!
I got the potting mix out and got it moist, but not wet. I then picked out three tomatoes and one pepper plant. The pepper plant has been in an eight inch pot fora a while NW and I thought for sure it was root bound. Turns out that was not the case at all. Only about half root bound. So into the bucket he went.
I also took two tomatoes and planted them in the buckets. I sunk them a little deeper than they were in the ice cream buckets heh. The last tomato I planted is yet another experiment. Since the are bushing out pretty good I thought I would try to encourage some upward growth. So I cut off the lower branches and planted him real deep. He's not dead yet but he's also not any taller or wider yet. But is only been a week.
Last week I also moved these guys up to the with does upstairs. They seemed to like this as well. So figuring since thy like the sunlight in the window and the temps have been very nice I have been leaving them outside all day in full sun. So far so good. I think I am going to bring the eight inch pots outside today to maybe.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110311_110155.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110311_110202.jpg[/img]
Happy gardening to all. Anyone want to help carry pots around? Heheh. I still hope for tomatoes and peppers mid to late April.
T.M.H.
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
mid April is pretty optimistic if they don't have any tomatoes on them yet.
Looking at some of last years pictures, from this
[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/4024%20Paddock%20garden/june-tomatoes.jpg[/img]
to this:
[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/June_R_tomatoes.jpg[/img]
was two full weeks.
From golf ball sized tomatoes to the second picture was 5 weeks.
Looking at some of last years pictures, from this
[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/4024%20Paddock%20garden/june-tomatoes.jpg[/img]
to this:
[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/June_R_tomatoes.jpg[/img]
was two full weeks.
From golf ball sized tomatoes to the second picture was 5 weeks.
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Yeah rainbow, I should have been a bit more specific when I said mid April. I was meaning green toms in general.
As for the flow experiment, I could nit bring myself to pull the flowers. I did however just try to hand pollinate one of the flowers that are openthis morning. With any kind of luck it will work. I have never done that before so we will see his it goes.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110312_125438.jpg[/img]
T.M.H.
As for the flow experiment, I could nit bring myself to pull the flowers. I did however just try to hand pollinate one of the flowers that are openthis morning. With any kind of luck it will work. I have never done that before so we will see his it goes.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110312_125438.jpg[/img]
T.M.H.
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
-
The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Well, its been a little while since I updated my log. I came home today and was greater with the beginnings of Mariachi Peppers. I am so happy hehehe.
This one here I have in a six gallon bucket with a cage on it. He gets light through an east facing window and also get put outside on the nicer days.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155105.jpg[/img]
Now these little guys here I still have in eight inch pots. They have never been outside the basement and have never seen the sun. I can't wait to try em out. Also can't wait to get their lttle brothers and sisters out in the soil.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155501.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155614.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155608.jpg[/img]
This one here I have in a six gallon bucket with a cage on it. He gets light through an east facing window and also get put outside on the nicer days.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155105.jpg[/img]
Now these little guys here I still have in eight inch pots. They have never been outside the basement and have never seen the sun. I can't wait to try em out. Also can't wait to get their lttle brothers and sisters out in the soil.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155501.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155614.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110321_155608.jpg[/img]
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Here I sit at work. Had to open the plant this morning. Just waiting on everyone to show up now. So yesterday I got the ground broke and the soil tilled up. Boy did it till easier than last year but man am I feeling it now lol. I will post up a picture when I get home tonight.
I did nit do the raised beds this year. As much as I wanted it just never happened. I plan on fertilizing tonight and raking that in. I did a soil test and everything is very very low. Last year and didn't do anything but feed them through the garden hose. This year I am putting out the good stuff. I also plan on starting the hardening off process ad well. I imagine I will have some plants in the ground this weekend. What a great birthday present that will be heheh.
Happy gardening everyone!
T.M.H.
I did nit do the raised beds this year. As much as I wanted it just never happened. I plan on fertilizing tonight and raking that in. I did a soil test and everything is very very low. Last year and didn't do anything but feed them through the garden hose. This year I am putting out the good stuff. I also plan on starting the hardening off process ad well. I imagine I will have some plants in the ground this weekend. What a great birthday present that will be heheh.
Happy gardening everyone!
T.M.H.
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The Mad Hatter
- Senior Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:49 pm
- Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Well tonight I got the fertilizer down and all raked in nice and flat. Didn't take me to long and it was another beautiful evening. Its amazing, stressful days at the plant and to come home and play in the dirt is so very relaxing.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_171426.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_171409.jpg[/img]
I will now start to harden off all my plants and get them ready for the fresh soil. In the meantime, I still need to get the netting and t-posts up, the outside walkway weed blocker down and the Bio degradable weed blocker for between the rows.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_193228.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_193236.jpg[/img]
I can't wait....
T.M.H.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_171426.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_171409.jpg[/img]
I will now start to harden off all my plants and get them ready for the fresh soil. In the meantime, I still need to get the netting and t-posts up, the outside walkway weed blocker down and the Bio degradable weed blocker for between the rows.
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_193228.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d118/Scooter6512/IMG_20110406_193236.jpg[/img]
I can't wait....
T.M.H.