Tony's allotment build thread - motivated by chilli pods - it's all about the SHUs ;-)

Today I have started.

Actually I've not done anything other than secure an allotment and pick up a key.

But it's the beginning of the start.

@Webmaster has a new neighbour on the allotment, my plot is directly backing onto his.

I will soon be ordering a 6m x 3m poly tunnel, probably this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130851842524?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

The plan is to plant a selection of superhot chilli plants within the poly tunnel. I'm probably going to use the AutoPot system, as the feedback I've had from professional and hobby growers is extremely positive. I'll use coco media, clay balls and Ionic nutrients

This is a deliberate low maintanence high yield automated growing system, as that is what suits me best, for the allotment. It should run itself for a week or more at a time.

Here's the proposed 6m x 3m floor plan, the 'X' marks potted areas:



That's as far as I've got so far, the chilli seeds are currently in the heated propagator waiting to crack :D

 

I grew some serious chillies in the greenhouse last year using a couple of chilligrows & three or four plants in buckets of compost for comparison - it turned into a bit of a jungle by the end of the season:


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Based on my experience last year I would say that the easy watering - hydro systems produce a slightly bigger yield but not 2 or 3 times as claimed ; the big advantage is you can fill the things up once a week & then leave them too it (I was using the same nute mixture in both the hydro & the "bunged in a bucket" plants).

I would suggest that you dont focus completely on the superhots - I had about half the plants growing these last year & Ive got about 2 years supply in the freezer now as theres a limit to how many I can use in one go, something like Aji Lemon (Lemon Drop) is a good grower & good for cooking with too ; this year Ive not started any superhots... well maybe one or two :-) Ive also bought a second greenhouse...

 

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your input. I eat superhots every single day. In the freezer I have a large selection of Habs, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Fatali Jigsaws. In the fridge I have some fresh habs but they're not that hot...

Aji Lemons are far too cool, even when eating them raw (cooked they're useless, they loose most of their heat)....

In my heated propagator I am growing:
Reapers
Jays peach
Jays red
Ebay TMS
Jigsaw
Brown habolokia
Tms
Butch T
Yellow 7
Chocolate scotch bonnet
Chocolate bhut jolokia
Mustard habs

Here's some pictures:

 

I'm going to wrap them up nice then! Thanks for the tip!

 

I think it's worth using cable ties over that tape (not worth risking the adhesive).

 

Hi Tony, I'm also at Eastern Avenue..... That's an impressive list of chilli's how are they progressing?