Re: [CH] Catalog Part 2
GarryMass@aol.com
Mon, 15 Mar 1999 19:50:54 EST
In a message dated 3/15/99 6:15:40 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Dave Anderson Gtoughchile@mail.greatbasin.net writes:
"Jim Campbell and I were on our great adventure in Jamaica we were told that
their Habanero germination time was three days. Even with the methods I
describe in my growing tips, germination takes from two to three weeks on
average, for me."
He's a nice, even unassuming, guy this Dave Anderson. But don't believe him.
I bought his Habanero seeds from "tough lover" chile and they germinated
faster than Mirasol, Ancho, and Guajillo (also from him) that followed them up
and out. The Habbies were out of the potting soil in 4 days here in sunny
(cough, cough) Massachusetts in four days (with bottom heat). All twelve pot
slots (2 seeds each) have at least one seedling, most have two. Only two
Guajillo's have emerged so far - two weeks.
Despite Byron's concerns about transplant to fruit days in the garden, I'd
have to argue (if I don't make an error with these seedlings) that a 90 day
old transplant "ain't a gonna" take 150 days to deliver mature fruit.
Those who recall the rest of Dave's missive about locality, microclimates, and
other local oddities changing maturity numbers take heed. If you have a cold
frame in which to "harden off" plants before danger of frost is past, use it.
It's a hedge toward an earlier mature plant. When overnight temperatures
average 50 degrees, get the plants into the garden, guarding them from late
frosts if necessary.
Finally, Byron and I would be eternally grateful if the skeptics would please
deny almost all Nitrogen to a few of their plants from seedling stage (I think
Byron said "speedlings") to maturity, just to see if P and K don't boost
yields beyond anything that MiracleGro or any other "balanced" fertilizer can
produce. If you want leaves and stems, pour on the Nitrogen. If you want
fruit, concentrate on keeping that P-K up above your usual dose. Give it a
try. (Byron did not approve this appeal, I used his name because I like the
sound of it.)
PS: Dave, thanks for not spilling the beans about my arithmetic. And could we
hear from Celeste once in a while? <Grin>
Gareth the ChileKnight