I've been late to the game this year, as I waited out the initial insect waves of spring.
As you've grown tired of hearing, the last two years have been a losing battle with insects.
No more. Anted up and acquired products that remedied the situation (spinetoram, flonicamid
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17659536) along with Neem/Karanja, and now I can have a crop.
I hedged and half of my plants are Granadero F1, BHN-1021, and Plum Regal F1, all with a tswv package.
The other half is plants I noticed could handle thrip burden and are strong flavor wise: Rosado De Aracena, Negro de Moratalla, Tyazheloves Sibiri, and Zaragozano de Utebo.
Anted up on the potting mix too, with Promix BX and 707 as the main mix ingredient, diluted out with high quality peat (FloraPeat), perlite, and clay balls.
Three plants share a medium concrete mixing tub, aprox 10 gal.
Amended with Organics Alive Amendment and/or Bu's Biodynamic Blend, Neem Seed Meal, Sea Bird Guano, and Alfalfa Meal.
They're also fertigated with Cal-Mag and Haifa products. And the final tiger in the tank is a foliar feeding with Neptune's Fish Emulsion and SeaGreen from Primordial Solutions.
So far so good, best plants I've grown yet. Sticking to the spray schedule has depleted the thrip population. I've only lost 3 out of close to 100 plants.
Before, the numbers were MUCH higher.
chinenses are happy in the potting mix and with the fertigation regimen, lots of Carolina Reaper, Apocalypse Scorpion, 7pot choc, 7pot pink, 7potyellow, Tobago Seasoning, and a few others.
Mt. Magic and Green Tiger are on the way from Johnny's. And soon to follow will be SOTW, Terhune, Nicky Crain, Crnkovic Yugo, Dora, Daniel Burson, Mikhalych, Bear Creek, Malachite Box, Gary O'Sena, Indian Stripe.
Now that I can grow again, I'm going back to flavor.
Best of luck everyone in your personal gardens.
First two pics are of how they started, the others were snapped today.
In the background you'll see the future cuke tube being put together.
I really like the how the basil draws in all the pollinators.