My "Big Jim" hatch chile plant isn't looking very big yet. The Guizeppi Milds and California Wonders are doing a bit better. This was the first day I took them all outside for a few hours to start the hardening off process. I've had them inside with a fan and grow lights up until now.
I expected some flowering at this point, but it's been stupidly cold and rainy here since I planted back in late March (I'm in 6a/6b), so maybe I'm expecting too much too soon? Next week is the first week it will in theory be above 55 degrees F overnight.
I've also been battling gnats (sticky traps and mosquito dunks for the win), which is weird to me because with the fan, the top layer of soil dries out pretty quickly, but I think I have them managed now.
Huh.
I remembered vaguely that maybe Jorge Cervantes talked about miracle gro. But I don't remember what he said. It was almost two decades ago tho.
Anyway, perlite is more expensive so even if miracles gro used to be good, they may have shrinkflated a little, replacing the more expensive parts with cheaper shit and lowering the quality.
I aways add like at least a third of the mix of perlite. Usually half, sometimes even more in my active hydro systems. But even just for soil, I'd aim for at least 20-30% of the soil being perlite or other airy additive.
It's just when they're establishing roots, even if the mix isn't horrible and it's nice and airy when it comes out, usually the first watering muddies and packs it. So if you don't add as much aery additives, maybe keep it loose and add something like clay balls as a layer on top, then gently water when you do, and that should avoid the material packing too much.
Idk it's personal preference and depends on a lot on how you garden otherwise, just sharing thoughts.