The Grow Room

Growroom – Moruga Scorpion Peppers Pt 1

As it gets chilly outside, we thought it would be the perfect time to start growing some chillies!!

It gives us the perfect opportunity to test the Wilma duo system and demonstrate growing using rockwool cubes and slabs.

Week 1:

First, we need to prepare the growing medium for use; 

  • We need to soak the cultilene 40mm rockwool cubes in water, balanced to a pH of 5.5.
  • Soak cubes until we can no longer see any bubbles coming out from the cubes.
  • Pick each cube up and flick the cube to release excess moisture, we are looking to ensure that the solution has infiltrated every pore within the rockwool, yet without being sodden.
  • Do not squeeze rockwool to get rid of excess water as this will lead to a loss of aeration within the cube and lead to poor root development.

Then, we make a hole in the top of the 40mm cube and lightly insert a chilli seed;

  • At this stage we have kept our 40mm cubes in the plastic insert tray and placed tray in a garland propagator.
  • Put the lid on the propagator and left in a dark, warm environment.
  • There should be enough humidity in the propagator to keep the cubes moist for this first stage.
  • Keep the lid on, in darkness, until you start to see the first signs of growth.

Week 2:

First set of leaves appear;

  • Now the chilli plants have got their first set of leaves and are starting to show the first signs of roots appearing through the 40mm rockwool cube we need to ‘harden them off’.
  • Take the lid off the propagator and place the tray of seedlings under a propagation light.
  • Use either a Secret Jardin TLED or alternatively a Sunblaster T5 propagation light.
  • Light was kept on 24hrs for the first 5-6 days to ensure the plant had hardened off and was strong and vigorous.
  • At this stage we introduce a root stimulant to provide the seedlings with some extra help to develop lovely strong roots. 
  • We used Canna Rhizotonic at a dilution rate of 4ml per Litre.
  • The solution was then Ph’d to a level of 5.7
  • Note: always add your additive to water first, then test pH.

Products we used…