Just when we thought fall weather had arrived, summer had other plans. Week 35 brought another super hot spell and the team has been working hard to manage temperature and humidity in the greenhouse while keeping plant care and deep cleaning on track.
The silver lining? We officially have peppers on every single plant variety. Harvest season is coming and we couldn't be more excited about what's out there.
Seed Stock Production
Thunder Mountain Longhorn: Almost There
One of our Thunder Mountain Longhorn peppers growing in the outdoor grow bags is just about ready. The fruit is almost entirely red with just a small section of green left to go. It's one of those satisfying moments in the growing season where you can see the finish line. Keep an eye on this one, it won't be long now.
Mystery Variety: Can You Guess?
Out in one of the hoop houses, we caught a variety mid-color change before it fully transitioned. The timing was perfect and we thought it was too good not to share. Drop your guess in the comments of our Facebook or Instagram post for this week's blog! What variety do you think it is?
Dragon's Breath Recovery Update
Last week we flagged some yellowing leaves on our Dragon's Breath plants. This week we're happy to report some real progress. Our greenhouse technician pruned all fully yellow leaves, any leaves showing only a touch of yellow were left on for now and will continue to be monitored.
Watering frequency was also increased. So far, no new yellowing and better yet, we're starting to see the first pops of red as the Dragon's Breath peppers begin to turn color.
We'll keep monitoring and adjusting as we see changes. That's the job, stay observant, respond quickly, and let the plants tell you what they need.
Deep Cleaning Continues
Our greenhouse tech has been continuing to clean the flood tables this week. With the greenhouse running hot, it's been a balancing act prioritizing plant care during the hottest parts of the day and squeezing in deep cleaning work when conditions allow. Slow and steady progress, but the space is looking better every week.
Looking Ahead
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- Continue monitoring temperature and humidity through the heat spell
- Watch Thunder Mountain Longhorn and other near-ready varieties for harvest timing
- Track Dragon's Breath color development and watering response
- Continue flood table deep cleaning as conditions allow
What This Means for Home Growers
If you're dealing with similar late-summer heat at home, here's what to keep in mind:
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- Managing greenhouse heat? Ventilation is your first line of defense. Open vents and doors during the coolest parts of the day and consider shade cloth if temperatures are consistently extreme.
- Seeing yellow leaves? Prune them cleanly, check your watering schedule, and give the plant a few days to respond before making additional changes. Don't overcorrect.
- Peppers starting to color? Resist the urge to pick too early. Let them fully transition, flavor and heat both develop in those final days on the plant.
Need something else? Check out our full library of Growing Guides in Grow with Joe.
Keep Up with the Greenhouse
Missed last week? Week 32
Want to see how the season started? Start at Week 1
Stay spicy. Until next week, keep growing.
🌶️ The Pepper Joe's Growing Team