Day 102
UPDATE#14
Grower update
Update #14
Actions taken
PruningTrimmed the Fresno pepper plant.
HarvestPicked several Fresno peppers.
I trimmed up the Fresno plant and picked a few. Here are three (minus some I put in Mark's lunch bag) and a Sweet.
GrowLog
SuccessfulProductive Fresno Pepper Grown and Relocated from an AeroGarden Ultra
Grow log by Shawn · Original thread
14 visual updates19 photos67 replies
View recapCrop🌶️Pepper
VarietyFresno pepper
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Ultra, small circulation fan
Plants1
AudienceAdvanced
What you can learnA detailed pepper diary covering thinning, topping decisions, nutrient supplementation, fan pollination, fruit set, harvest, flavour evaluation, and relocation.
Actions:3 Pruning2 Nutrients1 Harvest
Useful practices
- thinning two seedlings to one plant
- topping the main stem
- using a small fan for pollination
- performing reservoir rinse-and-refill maintenance
- harvesting and taste-testing ripe peppers
Problems encountered
- slow height growth after topping
- uncertainty about pruning timing
- limited access for hand pollination during recovery
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
M
Your plants always look so tidy.💇🏻♀️
D
She really does have the best looking pepper plants anywhere.
S
Ahhh Thank you
S
Can now be found here
S
I have a TON of Sweets and a lot of Fresnos coming in. Just waiting for the sweets to turn colors
Day 94
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
Here are some pictures I took today. The one I actually pulled out some and tilted as I can not bend still.
Conversation
M
The plant looks super healthy. And the peppers are pretty.
K
I like that they grow in different directions. It makes for an interesting plant, and the peppers look really good.
D
Nom nom nom! Those look great!
S
Picked the Ripened pepper yesterday morning and here is Mark's assessment. I was not tasting it as my buds are all off from my meds. Here it goes. This pepper was very good. Hot like a jalapeno which caused hiccups (LOL). These were on the fruity side and again equivalent to a red jalapeno. Would be great in chili or a nice substitute for a jalapeno. Of course added, while not as hot the sweets are still his fav but this is a close 2nd now!
M
I have both Fresno and Sweet Heat seeds. Do you think they’d be compatible to grow together in 1 machine (1 of each)?
S
Yes. The Fresno will be higher but I have grown high plants with my sweets with no issues at all in the past! Quick funny story. The other night I made Mark some Pork and Onion mix dinner and I had one red fresno. I diced it up seeds and all and cooked it. My mother had to leave the main part of the house from coughing, Mark was coughing as well. The heat from the seeds from ONE pepper blew them out BUT Mark said it was the best I ever made. It is an easy and simple dish. Pork cutlets, thinly sliced into strips then cover with paprika and black pepper and mix and marinate. I used Hot Paprika. Thinly slice onions and one a bell pepper (and in my case a Fresno too) and set aside. I also added a few drops of liquid smoke. Saute the pork until pink is gone then remove to a bowl. In the same pan, add some olive oil, saute the onions and peppers and I add garlic too. Once nice and sauteed add the pork and any juices that formed at the bottom of the bowl. I sprinkle one truvia over and mix well. finish cooking and serve. I think I also added some smoked paprika as well.
K
That sounds amazing. Where's my drool bucket when I need it.I had no idea Fresno peppers were that strong. I'm sure I've used them before, maybe not.
D
Interestingly Jalapenos are considered mild, and most of the fresnos I've ever bought in a supermarket have been even milder.But my home grown 'penos are extra hot compared to the supermarket variety, so I'd expect home grown fresnos to also have that step up in interactivity.I do like the flavor of them, and are a favorite component of my "I'm going to regret this later" chili.If you do want to neuter the heat, don't just cut out the seeds. The hottest part of the chili is actually the white ribs holding the seeds, otherwise known as the "placenta" (yes, really).And another thing I learned while making chili is that if you sautee them, you're going to end up macing the entire neighborhood. Keep them covered and consider the use of a hazmat outfit when you lift the lid. I once did quite the entertaining face-grabby dance with a whop-whop-cough-sneeze-cough accompaniment for about a half an hour. At least my cat found it entertaining.
K
It's possible after having been picked, handled, chilled, and shipped to wherever/whatever place they're being sold, they lose some of their oomph, whereas right off the plant does not.
S
LOL @ drbanks, we keep the seeds and ribbing in on purpose LOL..... we don't mind stinking out the neighbors LOL
Day 78
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
I took these the other mornig
Conversation
S
I am doing my best not to be a pruner LOL. I am leaving the leaves lush and full. I did pollinate this morning and had a ton of fairy dust.
K
Those look amazing. I saw you didn't pinch off buds on your young plants, so I'm not going to right now on mine. Nobody gave any recommendations for me on my inquiry, but if your plants are any indication of what to expect/hope for, I'll be happy.
D
Green with envy here. Can't wait to be red with envy.
Day 72
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
This is the best picture I can get at the moment, but you can see upright pods
Conversation
U
I had a pepper plant that grew peppers pointing up..I thought it was so strange because they were not slim peppers but fat ones and would get 'caught' between the stems and have indentations.Your pepper plants look great..another pepper diva!
D
Lovely!!!
S
5ml Mooch added
Day 59
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
Actions taken
NutrientsAdded Mooch while the first pepper was developing.
Plant is doing well and I have my first pepper started. Mooch also added.
Conversation
K
It looks great! Really nice foliage to go with those flowers and cute little pepper!
D
Nice! And Fresnos are darn fine peppers, too!
S
I can't wait to try one.
M
Me too! (Whenever that may be - I have the seeds, just haven’t gotten around to it)
S
Last but not least to report on. The Fresno is also doing well. There were a lot of flowers so instead of having anyone try ro pollinate and break then off I had them place a tiny fan there for an hour. I can't bend to see if any more pepper are there so time will tell.
M
Good idea with the fan.
S
Mooch and nutes added. Peppers are growing with upward pods. Looks cool i just need to get a picture at some point.
Day 53
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Ok so did I do something wrong? While it has grown some, it is not growing to the 18" to 24" in height that it should I did top it, maybe I should not have? I really do not know when I should or should not. Anyway, it is growing buds and flowers.You can't really see then in this picture, but if you click here and then click on the picture you an see tiny buds at the bottom. Should I trim those off? Or just leave as is and let it do its own thing?
Conversation
K
It may not be as tall as it could be, but it looks super healthy
D
Agreed. I don't think I'd be worrying about a plant that looks like that!
Day 43
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
Actions taken
PruningReported that the Fresno had been topped, while evaluating its limited height.
I did top this one off but it is not getting taller It does have buds on it.
Conversation
K
It looks really healthy! I hope mine do okay.
M
That’s a lot of healthy growth.
S
Mooch Added
J
Are any of them open yet? I pinched the early buds off of my Bullnose Albino (the short one sharing a machine with the Corbaci twice its size!) and it did grow taller/bushier... until it started producing more buds.
S
Yes I thought of that but decided to leave it as is. There are buds on it.
S
I did a total dump, rinse and refill this morning. Also added nutes and Mooch.
D
I am really on the edge of my seat to see how these come out!
Day 31
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Actions taken
PruningTopped the Fresno pepper without waiting for further advice.
Well I threw caution at the wind and just topped the plant. Since I did not get any input I just bit the bullet.
Conversation
D
looks about right to me.
M
Sorry for being so MIA for the last week. I think that was the perfect place.
S
That is ok Mary, but you have been missed 9ml nutes and 5ml mooch added
Day 30
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
I am thinking of topping off at the arrow. THoughts?
Day 29
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Here is the Fresno and a close up of the branched out leaves. Should I be topping it yet or wait another week?
Day 18
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Slowly but surely. I am sure the height of the hood is making it grow slower but as least it is growing!
Conversation
M
Healthy. Will you be topping this one or no?
S
I do not know. This plant height is said to be 18" to 24". I guess as it grows we can figure that out.
D
In any case, too soon to prune that one.
S
Fresno is still growing nicely. I need to take a picture and share it.
Day 9
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
I am debating on thinning it. If I do I may give more energy to the remaining one
Conversation
M
I was just ruminating on this the other day. I often wait to thin, for no reason, until they’re quite a bit bigger, but then it occurred to me that maybe I shouldn’t let the roots of the doomed one get so big because they’ll just die off and pollute the water. (And you know I’m terrible about doing Rinse and Refills).
S
Nutes and Mooch added. Yes it is before the 30 day mark for mooch but this is sharing a machine with another plant. I also trimmed out the younger plant. So we now have one that I hope grows strong.
Day 4
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Actions taken
NutrientsAdded Mooch to the shared pepper garden.
Added Mooch yesterday. Both seeds are up. Will wait a little more to trim one out.
Conversation
D
JOY!
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
One of the two seeds have sprouted. It is still under the label but it is about to pop thru. 6 Days! Here is a top and angled view.
Conversation
M
That’s fast for a pepper - yay!
D
Nice!