Levent, that Hot Lemon looks great!
How do you know when you have enough or too much water in the system/ Does the excess really come out of that single side drain hole?

Ray, that is the easiest part of job!
There's no risk to overwater that kind of setup, excess water comes out of the side hole as if it's a fountain.Side holes in my pots have never got clogged untill now.I must state that two or more side holes for safety aren't harmful for the system.I'm lazy enough to drill only one hole per pot! Apart from the scheduled watering I watch over the plants and when the leaves droop water them generously. Worth to mention I do top watering.My growing method is adapted from Ray Barklow's Orchid Growing Method called S/H.In fact these two methods S/H and subirrigation overlap in basics.

Levent, I took a look at [URL="http://www.firstrays.com/"]Ray Barklow's site[/URL] and his info on the Semi-Hydroponics method for orchids. In your modified version for peppers, were there any plus's or minus's in using straight DE or your DE & soil free mix?

Ray, plants in diatomite are taller, more sprawling have bigger leaves and their roots almost never rot.For some varities/species straight diatomite is high yielding for others potting mixes have more crop.Considering pod harvest (quality and quantity)I didn't percieve any significant difference between two media.Diatomite easily dries due to its porous structure so needs more frequent watering than potting mixes.

Pimenta da Neyde ([I]Capsicum annuum x chinense[/I])
Legendary brasilian hybrid with almost black high heat pods.
I sowed the seeds in late July in diatomite.3 seeds have sprouted.I placed 2 seedlings in windowsill.This plant (third one) was in windowsill till September now under lights.I hope to taste pods in winter!

Capsicum baccatum 'Hot Lemon'
Mini ristra just for fun!

Pimenta da Neyde first buds

Levent
like the your hot peppers I love to raise and eat them
I have five plants of chocolate ghost peppers and just got some seeds of a new hot pepper called Carolina reaper pepper it was just sent to Guiness as the hottest pepper... going to grow it out for seed....

Hi frdlturner,
Carolina reaper is the hype chilli of 2012!Unfortunately I'm not a big chillihead!I prefer growing semi wild, wild medium hot sorts/species.Wish you grow it in success and post the photos/taste report.

thank you Levent
I like all types of peppers I am thinking of trying to cross it with a sweet bell pepper and see what I get

[I]Capsicum chinense[/I] 'Datil' in subirrigation planter containing potting mix.Almost all pods ripened.Time to harvest them!

thoses are nice

Fall is harvest time for chillis.
[I]Capsicum chinense[/I] 'Fatalii Brown' in a 2,5 lt (0,66 US Gallon) subirrigation pot.
I used straight diatomite as medium, watered and fertilized the plant as mentioned before.It yielded reasonably in such a small pot.
'Save space and try another new Capsicum sort' That was my main goal.
Thanks to diatomite I did!

[I]C. chinense[/I] 'Datil' harvest

Capsicum chinense 'Fatalii Brown'