Baccus

I’ve instigated a chilli growing competition at work. 

I initially planted up 3 ‘Riot’ seeds with identical compost and pots – however only 1 came up.  Quite annoyingly it was the Project Management Team’s and now they are claiming victory.  This did not deter me and I quickly planted some more in the greenhouse and took them in once they had germinated.  As the ‘Riot’ seeds were generally quite difficult to grow I decided to change to ‘Ring of Fire’ for the other 2 teams.

Each team now has a small chilli growing on their desks.  I’m not sure how this will turn out as the light isn’t fantastic and no-one really knows much about growing stuff but they are all quite small varieties so it shouln’t get too out of hand.

At home I have started to grow several new varieties this year.

Jalapeno (which most people know)
Ring of Fire (small upright variety with tiny red fruit)
Riot (much the same as above)
Cubanelle (A noon-bell sweet pepper)
Anaheim (long red tapered fruit)

Once exciting new development this year is the use of the Hydroponic Set.
I have set it up already – there’s a little heater and pump ensure the chillies get a regular supply of nutrients and I have to top up the tank of water with fertiliser/water every so often.  The roots grow over this matting material which is kept moist but the pumped water flowing over the surface – any excess water flows back into the tank and get recycled.  Very clever.

I put in the bell pepper and a Jalapeno so far with room for a Cubanelle when it decides to grow some more substantial roots…

One annoying thing – it wasn’t till I read the instructions on how to set it up that it mentioned to plant the seeds in a soiless growing medium – I presume so when you first put them in you don’t get a load of loose soil clogging up the pump.  I hadn’t done this so had to get a bit creative.  I cut the bottom out of a pot and washed the roots that I could see so that there was little soil.  I then plonked them in and crossed my fingers…

A recent check shows that there is some new root growth so it seems to have worked.  I must remember to put a photo up….

Just as a note to myself – this year I am growing:
Carrots, leeks, cabbages, red and white onions, potatoes, parsnips (if they ever come up), peas, garlic, tomatoes, courgette, marrow, globe artichoke, sweetcorn, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, redcurrant, blackcurrant and tayberries.