Peppers in the Garden

So what’s new with the peppers in the garden?  We’ve had a cold winter here in South Florida, which has affected the peppers (sweet and chile).  However, the days are warming, and hopefully we won’t have any more nights in the 30’s!

So what’s with the peppers in the garden — and what about another pepper germination update?  Here goes!

What’s in the Garden?

The biggest plant by far is my (oldest) jalapeno.  Even though I have it growing in a 5-gallon container, it looks pretty happy, and already I see tiny peppers being born!

The plant most unhappy is a tie between my Thai Hot and a generic yellow bell.  Both have gone through some mighty cold weather that the jalapeno didn’t, and they are both showing stress.  However, the yellow bell does have one pepper on it, and it starting to sprout more leaves, so maybe it’s turning the corner.  The Thai Hot has had a lot of flowers, but so far no peppers.

Some of the peppers that are just humming right along are Anconcagua, Park’s Whopper (a sweet banana type) and Corno di Toro.  Also doing well are Pretty Purple Pepper and Purira (both chile peppers).

What’s in Staging?

My staging area is for plants that are too big to be inside anymore, but still a little too small to be in the garden proper.  I have them in 1-gallon pots in a spot that gets about 6 hours of sun a day.

So here’s what’s in staging:

• Bhut Jolokia (one of the hottest pepper in the world).
• Cambuci Hot (2)
• Sweet Pickle (1)
• Redskin (2)
• Nardello Sweet (2)
• Mini Belle (2)

I had two Bhut Jolokia plants, but one of them I think I put out in staging a little too soon — it kind of melted away.  The larger of the two seedlings seems to be doing fine, though.

Waiting in the Wings

I have a few more Redskin, Sweet Pickle and one Mustard Habanero.  For some reason, the other one failed to “take” after it sprouted.  This one waiting in the wings has taken it’s own sweet time, and it will still be another week or two away from moving out to staging.

If you’re wondering about the Peter Pepper I mentioned in my last report, alas, the peppers didn’t make it.  They sprouted, but never grew strong enough to shake off the seed coat.  I’ll try again sometime later this year.

Upcoming Chile Peppers

I’ve got some more chili pepper seeds that I’ll be planting over the next few weeks.  They include:

• Datil
• Fish Pepper
• Early Scotch Bonnet
• Aurora
• Purple Jalapeno
• Jaloro (a yellow jalapeno)

Still debating on if I should plant some Starburst, Medusa and Riot.  All three are chile peppers, but more ornamental than for eating.  I probably will, seeing as the front garden (which faces the street) could use some color.

I’ll go out and take some photos in the next week, so you can see how pretty the large jalapeno is.  Pretty Purple Pepper is also neat, as it has varigated foliage.

Meanwhile — gotta take care of the peppers!  Which brings me to ask — what are you growing, or planning to grow?