This Week's Focus in the Greenhouse
A big week of execution. The Dragon's Breath plants are in the hydroponic Dutch Bucket system, the hoop house transplants are done, and the grow bag plants are close behind.
The Dutch Bucket system is performing as expected and the team is settling into the rhythm of seed stock production. Less manual intervention, more monitoring. That's the goal and that's what we've got.
Dragon's Breath settled into the Dutch Bucket system in the main greenhouse. The transplant from rockwool went smoothly and the plants are looking great.
Live Pepper Plants
No updates at this time. The flood tables have been cleaned and we are officially done with Live Pepper Plant Season 2026. If you grew with us this season, we want to hear about it, send us your harvest photos and grow updates at customerservice@pepperjoe.com.
Seed Stock Production
Dragon's Breath in the Dutch Buckets
The Dragon's Breath plants have been transplanted from rockwool into the Dutch Bucket system and they are looking great. Last week was all prep. This week it happened.
The Dutch Bucket system is running exactly as it should. One of the things that makes this system so well suited for seed stock production is the automation.
- Our team sets the watering timing and the system handles it on its own. No manual watering runs like the flood tables require.
- Outside of visually monitoring the plants to know when to adjust the watering schedule or feeding, and making sure the lines stay clean, the system takes care of itself.
That hands-off reliability is exactly what a long grow-out like this demands.
New to Dutch Bucket hydroponics?
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- It's a system where individual plants each grow in their own bucket, fed by a continuous drip of nutrient solution that recirculates from a central reservoir.
- Each plant gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it, no competition, no guesswork.
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We use perlite and PRO-MIX HP as our growing medium because it drains well, holds just enough moisture between cycles, and keeps the root zone oxygenated.
- For peppers, which are notoriously sensitive to overwatering, it's close to ideal.
Close up of a Dragon's Breath plant in a Dutch Bucket. The drip system runs on a set schedule so the team can focus on monitoring rather than manual watering.
Grower Plants Transplanted Outside
The grower plants that were hardening off the past few weeks have been transplanted outside into our two hoop houses. They are looking great and right where they need to be.
New to the series?
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- Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimating greenhouse-grown plants to outdoor conditions: temperature swings, wind, and direct sun, before transplanting.
- Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes growers make. Most of our plants will die without hardening off.
Plants in the ground inside the Hoop Houses, watering lines set up, and the season is officially underway outside.
A Few Plants Left
The remaining plants inside the greenhouse are being hardened off for grow bags and will be heading outside soon. We are very close. More on that soon.
What are grow bags?
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- Grow bags are fabric containers that allow for excellent drainage and air pruning of roots, which encourages healthier, more vigorous root systems compared to traditional pots.
- They are a flexible option for outdoor growing when raised beds or in-ground planting aren't the right fit.
These plants are next. Hardening off inside before they head out to grow bags.
Looking Ahead
Our priorities for the week ahead:
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- Complete grow bag setup and get remaining plants outside
- Continue monitoring Dragon's Breath post-transplant in the Dutch Bucket system
- Monitor system performance: lines, timing, and feeding schedule
- Care for and monitor plants in both hoop houses as they settle into their new environment
Both hoop houses are full and ready to grow seeds for future seasons.
What This Means for Home Growers
Your plants are in your hands now and that is where the real work happens. If you are growing any of our varieties this season and have questions, we are always here.
A few resources worth bookmarking as the season heats up:
And if your plants are doing something interesting or something concerning, reach out. We love a good troubleshooting challenge.
Keep Up with the Greenhouse
Missed a week? Week 22: Last Week's Update
Want to see how the season started? Start at Week 1
Stay spicy. Thank you for being the best pepper community around.
🌶️ The Pepper Joe's Growing Team