I will start with space because this is a deciding factor on the lighting issue. Let me explain my situation to you first. I live in the lower half of Canada, while not entirely without light in the winter, I know that I am not going to get enough light to my seed trays to provide them with the nourishment they need without moving my seed trays all around the house many times a day to a different window. I am instead going to keep my seedlings to be in the cellar. There are two reasons for this, one is that I know that they will not be disturbed down there, and secondly I have the room to grow them there without having to worry about, well the next part.
The next part is the lighting. In a perfect world the sun would be on 18 hours a day beaming all those beautiful rays directly at my seedlings without any shadows or having to worry about cloudy days, or having to worry about the earth constantly rotating around the sun. Instead I am going to have to rig up a lighting situation where I can have a light on for 18 hours a day and not disturb everybody in the house.
The other thing about my cellar is that it is generally heated by the heat in my house, it is a bit cooler down there, but not enough to hinder the growth of the seedlings. I will have to add a bit of warmth directly to the seedlings but this is surprisingly easy, and fairly affordable. So, the solution to the lighting, heating, space issue? My friends call it my “Grow Op”. It will cost less $30, take up less than 4 square feet of floor space and allow you to start over one hundred seedlings. Sound good? Just wait for the coming articles.
— Jay
P.S. Warn your neighbors about that light that is on in the basement before hand. I don’t think my neighbors believe me even after giving them some of the “crop” from last year!!!
Written by Jay
Nick Lindauer founded Hot Sauce Blog in 2004, making it one of the internet's very first hot sauce review sites. After 20+ years of tasting, reviewing, and attending every major fiery foods event in the country, he's back behind the keyboard covering the hot sauce world he helped build.
8 responses to “Makin’ Habaneros – Part IV: Makin’ the “Grow Op” – Space”
Nice setup Jay,
I actually noticed that my habanero plants weren’t as fussy about sun time and all; I live up in Quebec City where the sun don’t shine until mid may and got a good crop going by leaving them by the window. My super chile are a bit more vulnerable to no lighting though.
:woohoo: WOF update. Just sign contract with Cox Publishing which we will be doing are main part of Advertisement in their Newspapers. Which in a 3 week time will be in about 1.5mil issues :woohoo
Interesting stuff their Jay.
So what Bret just did, is that called, “the Scottie”? 😉
Oh yeah, Bret, congrats! Great job landed them.
how many days ago did you plant?
Those are pics from last years setup. I have all my seeds and am expanding that setup you see by adding another shelf, another lamp and 2 more trays.
I have been swamped the last few days but am going to get the seeds planted this weekend. I have my order from Pepper Joe and my Bhut Jolokia seeds arrived last week!
Jay
good luck amigo. i’ll kepp you up to date on how my peppers grow here in the desert. it should be interesting. it’s my first crop. but i have a minor in horticulture. and jim campbell helps me with vital info. 😉
What’s the purpose of the pan of water and the material that goes up and under all of the seed pots?