HG Chilli Challenge – the wrap up!
In late June 2019, our fabulous HydroGarden sales team embarked on a challenge which grew to be quite heated…
The hotly contested Chilli Challenge saw the reps competing to grow the longest chilli in the Grow Hub. Using the Joe’s Long Cayenne chilli pepper seeds kindly provided by World Record Breaking chilli grower Jürg Wiesli, the aim of the game was to grow a truly impressive specimen. With each member of the team choosing their own grow system, lighting, nutrients and additives, there were loads of different factors at play. All bets were off; anything could have happened!
As CANNA rep Kyle said:
“Whether you’re growing in a tent, a tunnel or a greenhouse, it’s a fine art.”
Along the way, our reps faced summer heatwaves, pH problems, algae blooms clogging systems, and the dreaded aphids! Fortunately, they had the whole range of the HydroGarden product offering at their fingertips to tackle all the little issues that bothered their plants.
In the end, we didn’t break any world records…but we did grow some extremely long chillies!
The longest of the bunch at 33cm was grown by our Business Development Manager Danny, who opted to use the PLANT!T Gemini system with VitaLink Clay Pebbles. As well as using this tried-and-tested system, he thought ahead and put plans in place to deal with the sorts of challenges that you face when you’re growing in a polytunnel in the summer – namely, the heat!
During the August heatwave, temperatures inside the Grow Hub got up to a whopping 40° — an unpleasant temperature to handle, whether you’re a plant or a HydroGarden rep!
at 33cm
Using Vitalink Chill throughout the trial helped Danny to keep his plant strong and healthy despite the heat stress. Plants naturally cease to produce flowers in extreme heat, but Danny’s decision to regularly feed with SUPERthrive encouraged the plant to continue growing new roots and flowers. Including a RAM Pedestal Fan as part of his set-up helped to keep air around the plant flowing in the stiflingly hot Grow Hub tunnel – helpful for discouraging pesky insects.
Choice products from the winning grow!
But all our reps’ set-ups had potential. Alex’s plant produced an absolutely bumper crop of chillies – something that she puts down to the effectiveness of Ferocious!
“Ferocious is by far what made my plants produce so many chillies. I had probably around 4 times more chillies than anyone else.”
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing and happy chillies. Whenever you’re growing a type of plant that you’ve never grown before, or using a new system for the first time, it’s a learning process. The tricky little, unexpected bumps in the road can be frustrating, but it’s important to roll with the punches and adapt. Our Brand Manager Curtis discovered this when he realised that you can’t always rely on the pH of tap water to be stable.
“I didn’t expect to have to deal with changing EC/pH levels. Having an EC and pH meter at hand is a must for ensuring your nutrient solution/feed system is at the correct levels.”
Even the plant casualties – which were thankfully minimal – served to teach us a valuable lesson. RIP Dale’s first chilli plant, victim of extreme heat and dehydration, reminding us all that the most important thing you can do with your plants is to check them regularly!
All in all, the reps had fun getting hands-on and growing something of their own at the Grow Hub. As Harry summed it up:
“I really enjoyed this challenge as I have never attempted to grow any sort of giant produce before, and I really enjoyed competing against my colleagues …but it’s safe to say it was challenging!”
Check out the reps on Instagram to find out more about how they tackled the challenge!
DALE – @dale.hydrogarden
ALEX – @alexhydrogarden
HARRY – @harryhydrogarden
KYLE – @kyle_hydrogarden
DANNY – @dannyhydrogarden