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How to identify and eliminate broad mites

I just posted a video on identifying and getting rid of broad mites. I basically cut off the affected leaves, and spray the plants with a mixture of sulfur and water. I show in the video how to look for signs of broad mite infestation, and how to use magnification to see them.

I earn commissions from purchases made through the following links:

Materials needed for ending broad mites:

Sulfur – https://amzn.to/3qkROR5
Sprayer – https://amzn.to/3DMNFZi
Jeweler’s Loupe – https://amzn.to/3DOaZWy

Some of the plants shown in the video were in one of my AutoPot systems. For 10% off your order through AutoPot USA, use the discount coupon code pepperdactyl10 or follow this link https://www.autopot-usa.com/?coupon=pepperdactyl10

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AutoPots for 2023 growing season

I haven’t posted an update here in a while, but here are some pics of my peppers growing in my AutoPot systems, purchased through AutoPot USA. They are doing very well. I got a late start this season, but I think they will produce before the season is over. I’ll earn commissions for purchases made through the following link, but you’ll save 10% off your purchase.  You can use this link, https://www.autopot-usa.com/?coupon=pepperdactyl10 , or just go to the AutoPot USA site and apply the autoPot discount coupon code: pepperdactyl10 for 10% off. #autopot #autopot_usa

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Growing peppers with AutoPot products + AutoPot discount code

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through them.

For 10% off AutoPot products, used the coupon code pepperdactyl10 or follow this link to have the coupon code automatically applied -> https://www.autopot-usa.com?coupon=pepperdactyl10

This is my first year trying Autopot products, and so far I am impressed. Currently, I have two separate setups on my front porch. One has a 12-gallon reservoir attached to an Easy2Go valve, sitting in a 4×2 tray that is feeding seven three-gal container pepper plants. The other setup also has a 12-gallon reservoir but is feeding three plants, each with its own auto valve. One is in a 3.9-gallon pot, the other two are in 5-gallon fabric pots. I started feeding the plants GH MaxiGro, but have switched to GH MaxiBloom.

Before setting these up, I used another product that AutoPot sells, called Coco Mat. These fit in their trays and allow nutrients to wick up through the bottoms of the pots, which are sitting on top. I used this method for staging my peppers after coming out of the AeroGardens until they were ready to plant outside in their final containers.

I recommend going to the AutoPot USA website and starting with a complete kit, but while you’re there purchase some extra tubing and fittings. This will allow to you expand and/or replace as needed. It’ll save you to purchase the extras now instead of paying shipping on them later.

Remember to use the coupon code pepperdactyl10 on the AutoPot USA website for 10% off your purchase. You can use this as many times as you want.

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How to make a self-watering container for growing peppers – DIY step-by-step guide

How to make a self-watering container - step by step guide

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following product links.

How to make a self-watering container for growing peppers – DIY step-by-step guide.

In the video below, I show step by step, how to build a self-watering container. These are also known as sub-irrigated planters. The bucket-in-bucket setup is a very common self-watering container design. They work similarly to the Earth Box and the GroBucket systems. They are a bit time-consuming to make. For an easier, simpler option, check out the GroBucket.

Materials needed:
– 2 x 5-gallon buckets – https://amzn.to/3fBJqDz
– Drill – https://amzn.to/344EOR0
– 3-inch hole saw – https://amzn.to/3vgLw2b
– 1 1/4 inch hold saw – https://amzn.to/3hMNOCs
– 5/16 inch drill bit – https://amzn.to/3fcilaZ
– 2 x 3-inch net cups – https://amzn.to/3fDuULw
– Zip ties – https://amzn.to/2Sl3IZL
– 3 feet of 1-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe – https://amzn.to/348boRT

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Easy container mix for peppers – 2021 recipe

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following product links.

Easy container mix for peppers – 2021 recipe.  This is what I’m using with my drip system pepper and tomato plants for the 2021 growing season.

The base container mix is composed of:

  • 1 x 2.8 cu-ft bag of well-draining commercial potting mix (I used Sungrow commercial potting mix, aka Fafard 3b)
  • 1 x 1 cu-ft bag of compost manure (I used Black Kow) – This provides a small amount of fertilizer, mostly Nitrogen, to help the plant along until the slow-release kicks in.
  • About a large colander full of extra perlite – This offsets the added density from adding the compost manure.

    After adding to the 5 gal bucket, I add:

  • 1 x 1/2 cup of bonemeal
  • 5 x Tbsp of Osmocote 14-14-14 (or slow-release macronutrient of choice)
  • 5 x tsp of Essential Minor Elements (or micronutrient of choice)

I install the plant, water it in, and set it up on my drip system. The drip system runs for 15 minutes, twice a day. Each 5-gal container has 2 x 1/2 gal/hour emitters.

Also, take a look at how I set up my drip system.
Drip System Basics – https://youtu.be/opA4bJ2_tv8

Also, these links will provide information, but you might want to source them locally. The cost of Amazon is a lot higher. They are probably factoring in shipping costs.

Osmocote 14-14-14 – https://amzn.to/3iE87SS
Black Kow https://amzn.to/3xhjiF3
Essential Minor Elements – https://amzn.to/3xctyOM

Video showing how it is mixed:

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Mars Hydro TS1000 grow light

Mars Hydro TS1000
Mars Hydro TS 1000

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following product links.

The Mars Hydro TS1000 is a dimmable 150-watt quantum board grow light. It has a full-spectrum mix of 5200-6800K and 3200-4200K diodes, as well as red and IR. This is the newer 2020 version, which has an easier dim knob and can be daisy-chained.

Mars Hydro TS1000 grow light – https://amzn.to/3yLhJ2Y

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GroBucket self-watering container system

GroBucket
GroBucket

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following product links.

The GroBucket is a system developed by GroTech, designed to insert directly into any 5-gallon bucket. It converts the 5-gallon bucket to a self-watering container, aka sub-irrigated planter. It contains the main insert, a fill tube, a water level indicator, and a fill tube cap. I purchased a three-pack, but they also come in a 10-pack.

GroBucket (3-pack) – https://amzn.to/3xzVD3r
GroBucket (10-pack) – https://amzn.to/3ihgPF1

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Colofrog CF 1000 grow light

Colofrog CF1000

Colofrog CF1000

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through any Amazon links in this post.

The Colofrog CF1000 is a dimmable 110-watt quantum board grow light that has a unique cooling system to keep the LEDs cooler during use. This extends the usable life of the grow light by lower the rate of decay, which is accelerated by higher temps. In my tests, I actually got a little more than the 110 watts advertised, around 114 watts.

The quantum board has 240 double-chip Sanan LEDs, with a mix of 5000K and 3000K color temps. It also includes some red, and IR diodes.

Colofrog CF 1000 grow light – https://amzn.to/3k9QtqM

Colofrog CF 1500 (I have not tried this yet, but is 174 watts) – https://amzn.to/3k9QtqM

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