WELCOME TO THE DASSIE GROW DIARIES
WELCOME TO THE DASSIE GROW DIARIES
WELCOME TO THE DASSIE GROW DIARIES
Where dassies and gardening collide
I'm Grant Taylor. Designer by day and horticulturist by night. I'm not actually a dassie, but I do have a special interest in these furry little creatures.
For the past 30 years, I've spent countless hours observing dassies in the mountains and along coastal regions. I study their ways, learn their patience, and practice their teachings.
Fun fact: I discovered that you can actually communicate with dassies. However, you can't speak to them directly or make eye contact unless you're wearing sunglasses.
I'm Grant Taylor. Designer by day and horticulturist by night. I'm not actually a dassie, but I do have a special interest in these furry little creatures.
For the past 30 years, I've spent countless hours observing dassies in the mountains and along coastal regions. I study their ways, learn their patience, and practice their teachings.
Fun fact: I discovered that you can actually communicate with dassies. However, you can't speak to them directly or make eye contact unless you're wearing sunglasses.
I'm Grant Taylor. Designer by day and horticulturist by night. I'm not actually a dassie, but I do have a special interest in these furry little creatures.
For the past 30 years, I've spent countless hours observing dassies in the mountains and along coastal regions. I study their ways, learn their patience, and practice their teachings.
Fun fact: I discovered that you can actually communicate with dassies. However, you can't speak to them directly or make eye contact unless you're wearing sunglasses.
My discovery of the dassies' love of gardening happened entirely by accident. I was walking along the coastline one day, attempting to spot dolphins in the distance.
Instead, I tripped over what I believed to be an octopus, tumbled down a grassy embankment, and rolled directly into a large dassie colony.
My discovery of the dassies' love of gardening happened entirely by accident. I was walking along the coastline one day, attempting to spot dolphins in the distance.
Instead, I tripped over what I believed to be an octopus, tumbled down a grassy embankment, and rolled directly into a large dassie colony.
I was fairly dazed, but the first thing I noticed was that they had cultivated small, meticulously maintained gardens filled with indigenous plants.
My discovery of the dassies' love of gardening happened entirely by accident. I was walking along the coastline one day, attempting to spot dolphins in the distance.
Instead, I tripped over what I believed to be an octopus, tumbled down a grassy embankment, and rolled directly into a large dassie colony.
I was fairly dazed, but the first thing I noticed was that they had cultivated small, meticulously maintained gardens filled with indigenous plants.
I was fairly dazed, but the first thing I noticed was that they had cultivated small, meticulously maintained gardens filled with indigenous plants.
The air was thick with the smell of fermenting seaweed, which I suspect they were using as a natural fertiliser. It would certainly explain why everything looked so lush.
Unfortunately, I was unable to communicate that I meant no harm. The colony was understandably hostile, and I decided not to linger.
From that day onward, I was inspired. I had discovered something both remarkable and deeply amusing. After all, who would believe me? I've kept this secret for years, but I think it's finally time to share what I've learned.
I hope you enjoy what I have to share.
The air was thick with the smell of fermenting seaweed, which I suspect they were using as a natural fertiliser. It would certainly explain why everything looked so lush.
Unfortunately, I was unable to communicate that I meant no harm. The colony was understandably hostile, and I decided not to linger.
From that day onward, I was inspired. I had discovered something both remarkable and deeply amusing. After all, who would believe me? I've kept this secret for years, but I think it's finally time to share what I've learned.
The air was thick with the smell of fermenting seaweed, which I suspect they were using as a natural fertiliser. It would certainly explain why everything looked so lush.
Unfortunately, I was unable to communicate that I meant no harm. The colony was understandably hostile, and I decided not to linger.
From that day onward, I was inspired. I had discovered something both remarkable and deeply amusing. After all, who would believe me? I've kept this secret for years, but I think it's finally time to share what I've learned.
Three remerkable dassies
Hazel Fernbounce, Agatha Rockwell and Clifford Stonepaw. They are some of the best growers in the business. I'll tell you more about them in the near future.
Hazel Fernbounce, Agatha Rockwell and Clifford Stonepaw. They are some of the best growers in the business. I'll tell you more about them in the near future.
GROWING LIKE A DASSIE
The art of patience and perseverance
This is a recent photo of some Scotch Bonnets I've been growing. They can be quite tricky plants to grow unless you're living directly on the equator.
I'm able to grow plants like this because I'm a student of life and an apprentice to a master grower dassie (who wishes to remain anonymous)
THINKING LIKE A
DASSIE
The art of patience
and perseverance
This is a recent photo of some Scotch Bonnets I've been growing. They can be quite tricky plants to grow unless you're living directly on the equator.
I'm able to grow plants like this because I'm a student of life and an apprentice to a master grower dassie (who wishes to remain anonymous)
GROWING LIKE A DASSIE
The art of patience and perseverance
This is a recent photo of some Scotch Bonnets I've been growing. They can be quite tricky plants to grow unless you're living directly on the equator.
I'm able to grow plants like this because I'm a student of life and an apprentice to a master grower dassie (who wishes to remain anonymous)
CURRENT GROWING PROJECT
Hydroponic Peppers
Hydroponic Peppers
LAST UPDATE
11June
So much has happened in the past month; it actually feels like years. All in all, the plant is looking fantastic and has four really decent-sized peppers, which I'm really excited about.
I was hoping for a few more. I've even tried manually pollinating the flowers with a small paintbrush just to see if more peppers would develop.
We also had two weeks of really hot weather, which is a bit unusual in the UK for this time of year. Temperatures reached 35°C in the tent, so I ended up leaving the tent flap open while making sure the cats didn't have access, because they can become a menace if they get inside.
I then noticed a spike in nutrient uptake, which could have been related to the heat or a build-up of salts in the growing medium. I've been running a very low EC of around 600–800 to avoid over-fertilisation. I checked the pH in case there was some sort of nutrient lockout, but everything was fine.
So much has happened in the past month; it actually feels like years. All in all, the plant is looking fantastic and has four really decent-sized peppers, which I'm really excited about.
I was hoping for a few more. I've even tried manually pollinating the flowers with a small paintbrush just to see if more peppers would develop.
We also had two weeks of really hot weather, which is a bit unusual in the UK for this time of year. Temperatures reached 35°C in the tent, so I ended up leaving the tent flap open while making sure the cats didn't have access, because they can become a menace if they get inside.
I then noticed a spike in nutrient uptake, which could have been related to the heat or a build-up of salts in the growing medium. I've been running a very low EC of around 600–800 to avoid over-fertilisation. I checked the pH in case there was some sort of nutrient lockout, but everything was fine.
I must say, I'm pretty impressed with this line of nutrients. I haven't had to adjust anything. I then added plain water to the reservoir for a few days to help counter the excess nutrients.
I also trimmed a lot of branches, as there was simply too much growth and not enough airflow. I probably removed around 50% of the foliage.
A couple of weeks later, the plant is looking fantastic: lovely smooth leaves, no wrinkles, and a healthy shine. It's also a lighter shade of green rather than the dark green it was previously. The leaves are almost touching the light now, so I may have to do a second round of trimming.
I have to say, the real hero of this grow has been the dehumidifier. It's the first time I've kept one inside the tent. I also have a fan constantly blowing air through the canopy, and I feel this has been a major factor in the success I've had so far.
I must say, I'm pretty impressed with this line of nutrients. I haven't had to adjust anything. I then added plain water to the reservoir for a few days to help counter the excess nutrients.
I also trimmed a lot of branches, as there was simply too much growth and not enough airflow. I probably removed around 50% of the foliage.
A couple of weeks later, the plant is looking fantastic: lovely smooth leaves, no wrinkles, and a healthy shine. It's also a lighter shade of green rather than the dark green it was previously. The leaves are almost touching the light now, so I may have to do a second round of trimming.
I have to say, the real hero of this grow has been the dehumidifier. It's the first time I've kept one inside the tent. I also have a fan constantly blowing air through the canopy, and I feel this has been a major factor in the success I've had so far.
LAST UPDATE
6May
I transferred the smaller plants outside as space in the tent is limited. The 2×2 tent is a real challenge, especially since I’ve had to keep the dehumidifier inside, so right now it’s just the dehumidifier and one plant. I’ve also removed the lower branches and leaves, generally referred to as “lollipopping,” similar to what cannabis growers do just before the flowering cycle.
Last year, I struggled with a condition known as edema, where the plant forms blisters under the leaves, causing them to become deformed and the plant to struggle. It’s mainly caused by high humidity and heat, where the plant can’t transpire fast enough, and then the problem starts. The humidity in the tent might be around 60%, but within the plant canopy it can reach 80%, and that’s the real issue.
I transferred the smaller plants outside as space in the tent is limited. The 2×2 tent is a real challenge, especially since I’ve had to keep the dehumidifier inside, so right now it’s just the dehumidifier and one plant. I’ve also removed the lower branches and leaves, generally referred to as “lollipopping,” similar to what cannabis growers do just before the flowering cycle.
Last year, I struggled with a condition known as edema, where the plant forms blisters under the leaves, causing them to become deformed and the plant to struggle. It’s mainly caused by high humidity and heat, where the plant can’t transpire fast enough, and then the problem starts. The humidity in the tent might be around 60%, but within the plant canopy it can reach 80%, and that’s the real issue.
So I’ve had to position a fan to blow air across the top of the canopy. This has really helped, and for the first time in a long while, I have a healthy-looking plant.
Generally, jalapeños and bird’s eye chillies aren’t as sensitive as the more exotic strains. The strain I’m growing is called Sugar Rush Stripey, it looks so bizarre with its blush stripes, it almost resembles candy. Not only is it a looker, it’s also very flavourful and pickles really well. Tomorrow, I’ll need to top up the reservoir, as the water level has dropped substantially. This is my first time using an AutoPot system, and I’m really impressed with it.
So I’ve had to position a fan to blow air across the top of the canopy. This has really helped, and for the first time in a long while, I have a healthy-looking plant.
Generally, jalapeños and bird’s eye chillies aren’t as sensitive as the more exotic strains. The strain I’m growing is called Sugar Rush Stripey, it looks so bizarre with its blush stripes, it almost resembles candy. Not only is it a looker, it’s also very flavourful and pickles really well. Tomorrow, I’ll need to top up the reservoir, as the water level has dropped substantially. This is my first time using an AutoPot system, and I’m really impressed with it.
CURRENT NUTRIENT LINE
Two part solution for coco
Two part solution for coco
I decided to try coco as my growing medium because it’s sterile. I’m also not adding perlite, as I’ve found it brings very little benefit.
In the past I’ve used GHE nutrients with this type of setup, but this time I wanted to try something different. A friend of mine has been using this two-part nutrient system, so I decided to give it a go as well. So far it’s been working really well, I’ve just been following the instructions on the bottle.
I’m not sure if it’s luck or coincidence, but I haven’t had to adjust the pH at all, which is great. That was one of the reasons I stopped hydroponics in the first place: constantly balancing nutrient solutions and chasing numbers.
I imagine it might be a different story with a DWC system, but for now this setup is working really well.
I decided to try coco as my growing medium because it’s sterile. I’m also not adding perlite, as I’ve found it brings very little benefit.
In the past I’ve used GHE nutrients with this type of setup, but this time I wanted to try something different. A friend of mine has been using this two-part nutrient system, so I decided to give it a go as well. So far it’s been working really well, I’ve just been following the instructions on the bottle.
I’m not sure if it’s luck or coincidence, but I haven’t had to adjust the pH at all, which is great. That was one of the reasons I stopped hydroponics in the first place: constantly balancing nutrient solutions and chasing numbers.
I imagine it might be a different story with a DWC system, but for now this setup is working really well.
LIGHTING
Telos-6 Pro Full Spectrum LED With Mesh Wireless Control
Telos-6 Pro Full Spectrum LED With Mesh Wireless Control
I've been using these lights for over six years now, and they've been great. The feature I find most useful is the Telos mobile app, which connects to the unit and offers a whole range of features and settings. It also emits a nice warm light onto the leaf surface.
This LED is particularly good for flowering, as it has a slightly warmer spectrum. I've used a variety of lights over the years, but I keep coming back to Telos.
People often compare and nit-pick between Osram and Samsung diodes, but at the end of the day, I only care about results and this unit delivers them. I don't have to say any more.
I've been using these lights for over six years now, and they've been great. The feature I find most useful is the Telos mobile app, which connects to the unit and offers a whole range of features and settings. It also emits a nice warm light onto the leaf surface.
This LED is particularly good for flowering, as it has a slightly warmer spectrum. I've used a variety of lights over the years, but I keep coming back to Telos.
People often compare and nit-pick between Osram and Samsung diodes, but at the end of the day, I only care about results and this unit delivers them. I don't have to say any more.
