As we enter the new year, I have done my next round of measurements. Canberra has had some very warm days, and warm nights, and this has allowed all my plants to get a bit of a boost. The Fataliis' in particular are going mad.
Lets get straight into it.
Summary of Results
My Okra stunted from the cold a few weeks ago has begun to move again, and put on 6cms in the last 3 weeks. It looks as if it is ready for a real growth surge, and I have hope it will catch up to its taller brothers. The banana chillies are also growing quickly. They are in smaller pots, and the plant in pure potting mix needs watering every day or else it wilts quickly. The plant in 5-1-1 wilts if not watered every day, and it is a very hot day. Interestingly the plant in coconut husk chips has never wilted once, I am not sure if this is due to the plant being smaller than the other two, requiring less water, or a property of the mix itself.
Percentage wise, between week 7 and 10, the Fatalii in 5-1-1 grew the most, with 88% change in height. In total height gained, the Okra in pure potting mix put on the most height, adding 21cms.
The chart below shows total percentage growth for all plants in all mixes from week 1 to week 10.
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| Total Percentage Change in Growth week 1 - week 10 |
Okra
All the okra have put on size over the last 3 weeks, and have begun producing pods. I have only harvested 1 or 2 at this stage, but I think things will pick up as summer goes on.
The okra in plain potting mix has started to close the gap with the plain in 5-1-1, putting on 21cm and 16cm respectively. The okra stunted from the cold has put on 6cms, a 33% change in height over 3 weeks. The rate of growth for the okra in 5-1-1 is reduced compared to the plant in plain potting mix and coconut husk chips, over the same 3 week period.
Fatalii
The Fatalii peppers have really taken off, add density and size. This experiment only measures plant growth on a height scale, however if other considerations such as width were taken into consideration, it is easily seen that the plant in plain potting mix is performing the strongest followed closely by the coconut husk chips.
This can be seen in this picture, of all three plants side-by-side. The coconut husk chips are to the right, the plain potting mix in the center, and the 5-1-1 on the left.
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| The plain potting mix (center) is denser, and slightly larger than both other plants |
Here are the numbers for each;
Banana Chilli
The banana chilli in the plain potting mix continues to put on size, and the coconut husk chip plant is picking up steam quickly. The plant in 5-1-1 is also performing extremely well.
The plant in plain potting mix requires watering every day, or else it begins to wilt before the days end.
Below is a picture in their current size. You can see that the plant in pure potting mix has more chillies, and is taller than the other two.
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| 5-1-1 on the left, plain potting mix in the center, coconut husk chips on the right |
Here are the numbers;
Photos of Measurements Week 10
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| Okra Coconut Husk Chips |
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| Okra Plain Potting Mix |
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| Okra 'Fine' 5-1-1 |
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| Fatalii Coconut Husk Chips |
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| Fatalii Plain Potting Mix |
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| Fatalii 'coarse' 5-1-1 |
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| Banana Chilli Coconut Husk Chips |
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| Banana Chilli Plain Potting Mix |
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| Banana Chili 'coarse' 5-1-1 |
