This Week's Focus in the Greenhouse
This week in the greenhouse, our team focused on planting for live pepper plant season and cutting rockwool slabs as production continues moving forward.
As more flats enter the system, we’re also beginning to cut rockwool earlier in the growth cycle, an adjustment designed to reduce transplant shock before plants ship.
Live Pepper Plants: Production Update
Current Growth Stage
Our oldest pepper seedlings are now around 11-12 weeks old. At this stage, plants are continuing to build structure and strengthen their root systems as they move closer to their next phase of production.
Newly planted flats are progressing steadily, keeping multiple growth stages active inside the greenhouse at once.
Ghost pepper plants at approximately 11-12 weeks old, continuing to develop strong structure and foliage inside the greenhouse.
Environmental Conditions We’re Monitoring
Environmental conditions remained stable this week, with no major adjustments made to temperature, lighting, or humidity.
Even during steady weeks, consistent monitoring remains important to support uniform growth across all tables.
Recent Changes in Care
No major changes were made this week to watering, feeding, spacing, or nutrient timing.
However, we are continuing our shift toward cutting rockwool slabs earlier in the growth process.
Typically, rockwool cubes, small growing blocks that hold 98 individual seedlings, remain grouped together in larger slabs until just before shipping.
Why This Adjustment Matters
This year, we made the decision to begin cutting rockwool earlier to help minimize transplant shock before shipping. Transplant shock is the stress plants experience when roots are disturbed or when their environment changes suddenly.
Once cut, each portion of the rockwool slab are placed into 50-cell separation trays, which hold individual cubes separately instead of grouped in larger slabs.
By separating plants sooner, we aim to:
-
-
Reduce root disturbance closer to ship date
-
Prevent roots from growing together
-
Allow plants to adapt gradually to individual spacing
-
Earlier separation does require more attentive moisture monitoring, as individual cubes dry out more quickly once exposed.
Behind the scenes: cutting rockwool and carefully moving each plant into its own space to support strong, healthy growth.
The final section of a rockwool slab being carefully separated, with individual cubes moved into 50-cell trays for continued growth.
Observations & Challenges
What Didn’t Go as Planned
One flat completely dried out last week due to its placement at the end of a table.
End flats are more vulnerable to:
-
-
Direct sunlight exposure
-
Airflow from nearby heaters
-
Faster moisture loss
-
Adjustments Made
To help prevent this from happening again, ECO Foil, a reflective insulation material used to reduce direct heat exposure, was added to the end of the table.
This reflective barrier helps block excess sunlight and reduces direct airflow from the heater positioned above that location, helping maintain more consistent moisture levels across the table.
ECO Foil added to the end of the table to reduce direct heat and sunlight exposure, helping maintain consistent moisture levels.
Seed Stock Production
Dragon’s Breath seeds planted in rockwool, a sterile growing medium commonly used for seed starting, have begun germinating and are entering early growth stages as we prepare for the next Dutch Bucket production cycle.
Dutch Buckets are a system where individual plants grow in perlite-filled containers with dedicated drip irrigation, allowing for precise nutrient and water control.
All older plants have now been removed from the Dutch Bucket area, and the space has been cleared in preparation for these new seedlings. Resetting the area ahead of planting helps ensure clean systems and strong, consistent growth as the next round of seed stock develops.
There are no additional updates for seed stock production this week.
Dragon’s Breath seedlings emerging in rockwool, the first stage before moving into Dutch Buckets for seed stock production.
Looking Ahead
Now that rockwool slabs are being cut earlier, moisture management will require closer monitoring.
Once cut, individual cubes dry out more quickly due to increased surface exposure. Next week, the team will focus on:
-
-
Monitoring irrigation timing
-
Watching moisture levels across all tables
-
Ensuring consistent hydration without increasing fertilizer concentration, so plants maintain the intended growth rate as we approach live plant shipping.
-
What This Means for Home Growers
Cutting rockwool earlier and improving environmental controls are part of our ongoing effort to deliver strong, stable plants ready for transition into home gardens.
Small adjustments inside the greenhouse, from moisture management to sun shielding, help protect plant health long before plants ever leave our facility.
Consistency now supports success later.
A Few Notes from the Greenhouse
Small Win
Our second-largest planting wave of the season for live pepper plants, totaling 91 flats, was completed within two days.
Ninety-one flats planted in just two days during one of our largest production waves this season.
Keep Up with the Greenhouse
Missed a week?
👈 Week 8: Last Week’s Update
Want to see how the season started?
👉 Start at Week 1
Stay spicy friends and we'll see you next week,
🌶️ The Pepper Joe’s Growing Team