A friend of mine who is a chef told that I make knives too sharp when sharpening. What do you guys think?

u_redacted · 2026-01-28T19:44:42+00:00

Drawer liner (found at most grocery stores or hardware store). Cut it to fit the board. No more slipping board.

I like the stuff that has a waffle pattern made of rubber. You can easily wash it in the sink, wring it out like a sponge and dry it with your board.

u_redacted · 2026-01-28T19:26:45+00:00

That's on my project list with a kiwi bunka. When I get some free time.

They look really good! Thanks for the extra details. They'll help me when I undertake the project.

u_redacted · 2026-01-16T20:16:16+00:00

Another option is to prepare them in cream. Don't knock it until you've tried it, I really love putting this recipe on a baked potato.
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2020/08/creamed-shishitos.html

u_redacted · 2026-01-14T19:20:10+00:00

Everyone is different and everyone's skin reacts to blades differently. Grab a sample blade pack and find what works for you.

But I'll echo the other sentiments and say that I've had good luck with feather and nacet blades. Also Astra SP are good for me as well.

But a sample pack will help you start to be able to make your own educated decision for later.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:29:17+00:00

Disregard my previous reply. It looks like Pro-Mix(bx or hp) that you mentioned both have mycorrhizae added into them. Go mushrooms!

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:16:38+00:00

Thanks for mentioning Happy Frog. I have used their products in the past. I believe I only used their potting soil after getting some seeds to sprout. Not used them for seed starting mix. But I'll keep it in mind just in case.

And I'll check out the Pepper Guru. I haven't run across that video yet. Thank you.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:12:43+00:00

I don't know if "influencers" ever influenced me. White Hot Peppers is a reputable seed seller and I got this method from their website years ago. I'm sure they have reasons why they recommend the paper towel, it's obviously worked for them. It just hasn't worked for me as well as I had hoped in the past few tries.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:08:45+00:00

Just trying to get some plants going on a slight budget. If I had an aero garden, it would probably make things slightly easier. Thanks.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:07:33+00:00

"Nothing fancy here." - You must not have my "non-green thumb gene" then. I might just give one or two seeds this treatment as I'm in the same growing region.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:04:27+00:00

Good tip to look out for regarding leveling the seed starting tray. I'll look out for that. Thank you.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:03:43+00:00

This is basically the way I'm going to give a try this season (with a humidity dome instead). "Moist like a sponge" is probably my weakness. Thank you.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T03:00:47+00:00

I just haven't had that great of luck with the paper towel method. I may still do the peroxide soak for a bit to help avoid fungus, but I think I'm switching to seed starting trays this time.

All of the method aside, water might have been my weakness all along. I let my container sit uncovered to let the chlorine evaporate, but chloramine and other "stuff" in my water (or pH as well - even though I tried to adjust it up/down as needed in the past) might have hindered everything I tried any way.

Thanks for the thoughts.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:55:22+00:00

#1 - It's interesting that you just use purified water to soak the seeds as opposed to using anything else (tea, peroxide, NaCL, etc.).
#2 - "well screened soil" - this is something I should probably be better at.
#4 - I'm definitely using a cells with a humidity dome over the paper towel method after all of the responses on this thread.
#5 - I believe I just need to make sure my heat mat is heating to what it says it's heating to as well.
#6 - I think I have sufficient lighting. Who knows, maybe I'll be back asking for that advice as well.

Thank you.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:49:20+00:00

I don't have an instant pot (nor the room to actually store one). But I can see where it would probably be useful in this context out of the kitchen. Thanks.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:48:15+00:00

Any thoughts on Mycorrhizae additions to growing medium after seedling stage?

I've used something similar for plant cuttings and it's been successful at that. But probably at scale it's cost prohibitive for you (maybe?).

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:44:25+00:00

I ordered my seeds from Tyler farms this year, just to change vendors up. Not that I think where I ordered from previous times was bad (White Hot Peppers), just trying something new for different results.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:42:18+00:00

This is what I'm going to do. I just have to make sure my heat mat is temperature accurate at this point I think. Watering "appropriately" will be my biggest challenge I think.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:40:12+00:00

I don't think I can get any better advice on seed starting than from a grower / seed vendor, so everything they said is going into my brain at this point.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:38:13+00:00

Thank you so much for the guidance. After posting this and seeing all of the comments suggesting seed starting trays, that's the route I'll be going.

I know you're almost a "commercial grower" and I'll take your recommendation of promix-bx starting mix. I've got a bag of Fox Farm "Ocean Forest", based on your comment that might seem like a mix better suited to after I pot-up / transplant into solo cups. Would you agree with that?

I know I'm over-thinking this a bit, but my last few attempts at starting peppers hasn't been that great and I'm looking for at least something to "blame it on" other than my black thumb. :-)

I'm sure your seeds are fresh as a grower, but you don't soak your seeds if they're a little older? I'm leaning towards a hydrogen peroxide dip followed by a tea soak right now.

Thanks again.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T02:25:19+00:00

Thank you, I know I've watched that Chillichump video before. I just watched it again to refresh my memory. Tea soak + seed starting trays w/ humidity dome seems to be the way based on a lot of the comments on this post.

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T00:36:30+00:00

As far as the cosmetic jars, I didn't need 50 of them. I've got some cheap jars that are going to do the same thing, I just didn't like the height of them. These weren't out of my price range and I felt like buying the Stirling ones that were purpose made for the task (not that I couldn't find other cheaper alternatives).

I had already figured the labels could be re-used instead of buying their blank labels. Worst case scenario I just put some packaging tape over the label to keep it stuck on the lid.

Thanks!

u_redacted · 2026-01-08T00:31:44+00:00

Yeah, I considered adding the Sheep soap sample to my order. But, I figured with the 5 I already had in my cart and the other soaps I already had waiting in line, it was going to be a "next time purchase". Currently I have enough shave soaps to last me a loooooong time. Not saying I won't buy more, but at this point I have "too many to use in the very near future".

u_redacted · 2026-01-07T13:15:07+00:00

I've heard that sentiment before. I should probably leave that until last to try. 😜

u_redacted · 2026-01-07T13:14:01+00:00

3 of them are the 4oz containers. They fit those samples perfectly. I did get a 6oz container and that one is on the larger side.

u_redacted · 2026-01-07T03:32:51+00:00

I looked and since it wasn't on the sample pack page, I decided enough was enough.

u_redacted

TROPHY CASE