This Week’s Focus in the Greenhouse

This week in the greenhouse, our team focused on planting new flats of pepper seeds and continuing the process of cutting rockwool slabs earlier in the growth cycle.

As production ramps up, we’re also paying close attention to humidity levels under the humidity domes to maintain healthy growing conditions for newly germinated pepper plants.

These small adjustments help keep plants developing steadily as they move through early growth stages.

Live Pepper Plants: Production Update

Current Growth Stage

Pepper plants throughout the greenhouse remain in the seedling stage, with our oldest plants now reaching approximately 12-13 weeks old.

At this stage, plants are continuing to build stronger root systems and fuller foliage as they move toward the next phase of production.

Maintaining multiple growth stages inside the greenhouse allows us to plant continuously and support steady availability of live pepper plants throughout the season.

Ghost pepper plants at approximately 12–13 weeks old, spaced in separation trays with every other slot open to improve airflow and promote more even drying for all plants in the tray. Separation trays allow each rockwool cube to sit in its own section, giving plants more space as they grow and improving airflow between plants.

Environmental Conditions We’re Monitoring

Humidity levels under seedling domes have been a key focus this week.

Humidity domes are used during early germination to help retain moisture and create a warm, stable environment for young pepper seedlings. However, as seedlings grow larger, excess moisture can begin to accumulate under the dome.

When condensation builds up and large water droplets form inside the domes, the team removes them temporarily to allow excess humidity to escape.

Why This Adjustment Matters

Allowing excess humidity to escape helps prevent issues such as:

• Mold growth
• Algae buildup
• Excess moisture on plant foliage

Maintaining proper airflow and balanced humidity helps support healthy seedling development as plants continue growing.

Humidity dome management in action: excess condensation forming on the dome (left) and the dome propped open (right) to allow excess moisture to escape and prevent mold or algae growth.

Seed Stock Production

Dragon’s Breath pepper plants that were started in rockwool are continuing early growth before eventually transition to the Dutch Bucket growing system in our greenhouse, marking the next stage in seed stock production.

Seeds planted in seed starting soil for our local growers have also successfully germinated, beginning their own early growth stages. These partner growers help expand our seed production by growing pepper plants locally and harvesting seeds once the peppers fully mature. 

These parallel production methods help support reliable seed availability while maintaining strong plant health across different growing systems. All of the pepper seeds produced in our greenhouse eventually make their way into the seed varieties available in our online store.

Two approaches to seed stock production: Dragon’s Breath seedlings growing in rockwool for greenhouse Dutch Bucket production (left) and Carolina Reaper seedlings started in seed starting soil for local grower partners (right).

Observations & Challenges

No major challenges were reported this week as planting and monitoring continued on schedule.

Looking Ahead

As temperatures inside the greenhouse continue to rise and plants increase in size, watering management becomes increasingly important. Larger plants begin drying out at different rates depending on their placement on greenhouse tables and the airflow around them.

Next week, the team will focus on:

• Monitoring moisture levels across all flats
• Adjusting irrigation timing as needed
• Tilting trays that retain moisture longer to increase airflow and encourage even drying

These adjustments help ensure consistent plant health across the entire greenhouse.

What This Means for Home Growers

Careful humidity management, steady planting, and consistent watering all play an important role in producing strong pepper plants that are ready to transition into home gardens. The work happening now inside the greenhouse helps ensure plants arrive healthy, stable, and ready to continue growing once they reach your garden.

Small environmental adjustments inside the greenhouse help prevent issues early and support healthy growth long before plants ever leave our facility.

A Few Notes from the Greenhouse

Small Win

This week the team finished de-seeding all Trinidad Moruga Scorpion peppers grown in our Dutch Bucket area, completing an important step in preparing pepper seed stock for future growers.

Keep Up with the Greenhouse

Missed a week?
👈 Week 9: Last Week’s Update

Want to see how the season started?
👉 Start at Week 1

Stay spicy friends,

🌶️ The Pepper Joe’s Growing Team