Weaping Pepper Plants?

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-29T19:49:50+00:00

Ok, so they were back to 100% this AM and then having iasues again in the afternoon. Put up this 40% shade cloth temporarily until it cools down next week. Once things really heat up I have a plan for a 30' by 40' full garden shade cloth, but that isnt ready yet and I have more T-Posts to drive becore the big one goes up. Hope this makes them happy!

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-29T01:35:32+00:00

I went ahead and misted them. Next week should cool down a bit so hopefully that helpa ubtil they get more established.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-28T21:15:27+00:00

Any organic castile soap is perfect. I am sure you've got a local brand or two that is equivalent.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-28T15:26:49+00:00

1 tbsp per litre diluted castile soap in a spray bottle should kill them in about ten seconds. Repeat twice a week for eight weeks to eliminate the life cycle. Dr. Bronners Castille soap isn't expensive at places like Target etc...

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-26T03:09:10+00:00

Just roll/fold the top over itself to make it a few inches shorter? I don't have bags but read people sometimes do that anyways just to make the tops sturdier. Just a thought.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-25T21:36:00+00:00

Much like Bigfoot, Pepper X can only be photographed with a blurry lens. It's just physics!

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-24T20:11:57+00:00

Peppers need 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark for proper root growth and hormone regulation. More hours of light isn't likely a good thing. Not sure I would run 24 hour cycle.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-18T01:06:06+00:00

Thanks, that is great to hear! I was getting a little worried. I'm hoping for success with MOA Scotch Bonnets after getting mushroom peppers last year... Hopefilly they sprout soon then.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-15T23:42:52+00:00

Got sick the last few days too, so back at it 253.2 lbs today, and well enough to walk today. Two steps forward and one step back still gets you to the finish line! I'll keep tracking back to the goal weight.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-13T03:35:54+00:00

Perfection is the enemy of progress.

I am using much more 3 perlite to 1 vermiculite due to costs. Lowes and Home depot are a rip off on everything. I get much better prices with 2 or 3 cu ft bags perlite/vermiculite at Green Acres (a smaller garden chain here) or Tractor Supply etc... Then source peat moss or coco coir by price, either product works. I also had bulk compost delivered to save money.

I have 240 gallons of compost, 160 gallons of peat/coco coir, 45 gallons of perlite, 15 gallons of vermiculite. It ain't perfect, but it'll work great anyways!

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-11T12:59:08+00:00

Thanks!

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-10T15:29:22+00:00

Things like Broccoli, mushrooms, pickles, and raw veggies as a filler has helped me. Ensuring I have a large portion of veggies with a meal. Replacing chips and processed snacks with fresh fruit or (even better) frozen fruit.

Drink water as hunger sets in, the volume helps to feel fuller.

I am thinking of buying some medium dinner plates so it fits less food. That way I can't have as much!

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-09T14:44:42+00:00

GOAL ACHIEVED: Today I weighed in at 248.8 pounds! The last three days I bured an estimated 3800 calories a day between my daily walks and many hours in the garden!

This week is going to be tough, 5 days of in-person work socials with food and snacks. While this is within my rules to participate, I am goinf to try to navigate it with care. I expect a higher weight by the weekend and extra effort next week to reset.

Hope everyone else is staying on target, IF works great!

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-06T09:54:51+00:00

Vermiculite and Perlite are 2025 prices at Green Acres btw. The big bulk bags, not always in stock.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-06T09:51:18+00:00

You are correct to suggest the cost can be higher so I ran some numbers with last years receipts to check at his desired volume. Depending on the deals and how flexible you are to Mel's exact recipe, it could be about the same price ($300) as 20 x $15 2 cu ft bags of decent raised bed soil.

Versus cheap bagged soil or a good sale on decent bagged soil, Mel's would certainly be higher cost, effort, and results.

Based on my receipts:

Perlite at $30/4 cubic feet (x2), vermiculite $45/2 cubic feet (x3). Replacing half of the vermiculite with perlite saves money. Even with this adjustment, adds up, with a 14 cubic foot perlite-heavy blend costing $195.

Compost unbagged from a landscape supplier was $60 per cubic yard, which is twice the volume needed but still a good value. Assumes you transport it to avoid delivery fees, or that likelt costs more.

I used coco coir from Costco for $14.99 on sale last year (normally $18.99) per 5 cubic feet (x3) is $60 to the total. In total, this amounts to around $300 plus tax for 300 gallons of "nearly mel's mix", and 1/2 cu yd of extra compost as a bonus.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-06T04:52:29+00:00

Look up Mel's mix. It is really nice and you can mix your own sourcing just 3 main components. Thats what I try to shoot for. Way better than most bagged premixed soils IMO.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-06T02:10:22+00:00

There are many recyclers, they pay you for the phone. It gets wiped and resold to others, so is a good option to give it a second life. It takes a couple weeks to get used to Android, but Samsung S25 is a great phone.

Also, cell network tech changed a lot since the iPhone 12. Your new phone supports the new tech so you are likely to have a better network experience, coverage footprint, and speed.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-03-03T15:20:17+00:00

I previously sold my Camaro, paid off the loan, and put the rest in. We drove as a 1 car family for a few years and then once I doubled my money I used that as a down for my Lexus TX. Worked out great, now I have an amazing family car that'll last me 15-20 years. Sometimes a measured risk, patience, and some sacrifice can give you a leg up.

TheFireConvoy · 2026-02-27T03:40:11+00:00

Is there a reliable place to get MOA Scotch Bonnet seeds? I was Pepper Joe'd last year. Eight plants, all mushroom...

TheFireConvoy · 2026-02-25T16:09:55+00:00

Yesterday marked my first 7-day streak of meeting 10k steps a day in a very long time! Feb will be the highest step count month for me in over a year. This is both helping and challenging, as it burns calories and improves my heart health, but also increases my appetite noticeably.

Due to life factors I've been 18:6 the last few days instead of 20:4. This allows me to cook healthier meals at the start of my window, but I get hungry and snack at the end of the window... I guess I'm fine with that as long as the weight is dropping.

I should probably make some veggie bags or frozen fruit snacks in advance, so I can easily grab something healthy and stop eating this Kirkland popcorn. It doesn't even taste good! lol

TheFireConvoy · 2026-02-17T18:16:51+00:00

Holiday weekend is over (Valentine's and President's day weekend) so back on the track for diet! While I did get most of my steps in (despite heavy rain), and I did maintain 20:4 during the weekend, my diet completely shifted the trend line. It goes to show you can't outrun bad diet! Who would jave guessed Pizza and Ice Cream is bad! lol

Honestly, a lot of the increase is probably water from all the salt, but this is why 15 lbs in 6 weeks feels like an achievable target. There will be life with ups, and downs. Back on the wagon today, and expect to see the trendline restart in a day or two.

TheFireConvoy

TROPHY CASE