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PeriPeri's Grow 13/14/15/2016: South African

Welcome to PeriPeri's Grow 13/14/15/2016: South Africa
 
If you would like to see the 2012/2013 Grow, you can see it Here

First a little info about our country:

South Africa is situated at the very southern tip of the African continent. Our country ranges a divers spectrum of cultures and religions and of course habitats. Our country is flanked by the Atlantic on the SW coast line and the Indian Ocean on the NE coast line. Our diverse habitats range from tropical to sub saharan and even desert up north. One thing is for sure, the high summer temperatures and generally mild winter temperatures mean that our country does offer a great opportunity to grow chillies (among other things). To those who are not familiar with our country, Africa probably conjurs up images of harsh barren landscapes with dry baked un-fertile soil and wild animals roaming all over the place. South Africa is probably one of the most established african countries with a large farming sector and loads of fertile soil.

The locality of where this grow will take place is largely situated inland near Pretoria. Altitude here is about 4000ft above sea level. We are talking mild winters with some frost early mornings (temperatures drop at night due to altitude). Daytime temps in winter are round about 21ºC and night time temps can drop as low as -4ºC on a very cold night. There is no rain on the "Highveldt" as we call it in winter. As a rule of thumb all months of the year without an "R" do not have rain. These are our dry months, which go from May till August. Our summer is also our rainy season. This goes from September till April. Temperatures in Pretoria in Summer vary 30ºC - 40ºC daytime to a low of 17ºC on average at night. While there is often long dry spells without rain, rains usually accumulate as huge thunderstorms that bring flash floods, hail and sever lightning.

The farm has a borehole which provides water for the garden. Although at present there is no irrigation system. One of my projects for this year.

Animal wise, we have loads of insects, snakes, scorpions, spiders, primates (Baboons and Vervet Monkeys) as well as Carnivores such as Jackals, Rooicats (mountain lion) and other smaller wild cats. But as far as chillies go, the monkeys and baboons are the biggest problem as they do eat the milder chillies and destroy plants while foraging. There are no traps big enough for monkeys and generally they are very clever to get around most deterrents, so full enclosure with shade netting is the best way.

Other than this, I would say that while there has been much bad publicity about the country in the press, our country is a beautiful country with diversity everywhere, the land, the people, the cultures and the religions. Hence our country is called the rainbow nation. Most famous person is probably Nelson Mandella who established our new democracy in the New South Africa after the apartheit era. Our country is a young democracy in the making - but most of all, our country is a diverse and beautiful country with much to offer and of course home of the Big 5, Blue Whale and Great White Shark... and much much more. Just a quick and very narrow snapshot of what our wonderful country is about!

Last years experience has given me a better understanding of growing at the farm and these are the pitfalls from my exercise last year.

Generally last year was a great season. Great weather - hot and dry. Lots of mistakes made, but things that will not be repeated. Last year we had about 78 different varieties of chillies. We had an estimated 1000 plants in the soil. Last season was our first season growing in the soil and based on previous experiences with growing in pots... I will say adieu to pots and hello soil.

1) Watering. As mentioned there is no irrigation. Water is available a plenty, but regular watering in these hot climates is a must. So for me, I will be looking closely at getting some sort of a watering system up and running. Added problem is that the farm is located about 1 hour from where I live, so watering every day during the week was reliant on staff at the farm watering ever second day during the week. Staffing issues resulted in the loss of quite a few plants due to non watering. So irrigation and a computer will be priority.

2) Season. Last year we started planting seedlings late October/Early November. This year we aim to be in the soil early October. Germination started earlier this season beginning July. I have also acquired a green house which I will use for the seedlings.

3) Planting. Last year planting got into a big muddle. This year I will be more methodical. Also, we planted too close. We found that this becomes a problem when harvesting. We did not feel that last years approach of planting two seedlings together being a problem. We did not notice any significant lower yield with plants that had been planted together as opposed to individually. And found that the cohabitation of plants together (in pairs) actually helped in areas where seedlings were exposed to direct sun. In fact, cohabitation resulted in better growth and larger plants.

4) Spacing. Last year we planted seedlings approx 45cm apart. We would like to extend this to 60cm as we found 45cm to be too dense. We were happy with using channels and rows which helped retain water for approx two - three days between watering and helped channel any run off out of the field. Also, there was no pooling or puddling which was better I think.

5) Insects/monkeys/Snails. Mostly cutworm issues with small seedlings. We will tackle this by using (Stickman's stick method) and through pellets - if need be. Pepper maggots: We suffered quite extensively with Pepper Maggots. We will implement sacrificial boundary plants, fly tapes and beer traps (not for me but the wasps). Monkeys: Plant inside enclosures only. We will be looking at extending the current shade net enclosure, but will need to raise funding for this. Giant African Land Snail: Amazing buggers these. We found lots but only a few that had dug into the plants root system to suck the minerals from plant roots. Not much of a threat as these were just removed by hand, but the enclosure goes a long way to preventing them from getting in.

6) Weeds. Last year we had a problem with weeds. Weeds were time consuming at the start of the season and probably brought about by the application of horse manure. We will try and look at applying some kind of ground cover to reduce weeds, but this will be advised at a later stage.

7) Planting. Last year we took young seedlings and planted them in a nursery. Once big enough we transplanted them densely in the inside enclosed garden (which has 40% shade cloth) and then transplanted the young plants to the open fields once about 15 - 20cm in size. We would like to cut out all the extra work and transplanting, which we found to just delay growth. Every time you transplant, the plant growth is set back... so we will be planting directly into the plants final destination. This means we will be waiting for the pants to get to 15-20cm in size before planting in the soil. Last season we planted seedlings in the soil when they were very small and this also resulted in losses through cutworm.

8) Fertilizers. Nothing hectic. The soil at the farm is incredibly rich and fertile soil. But we found last year that Seaweed and Fish fertilizers to be brilliant and totally harmless. So we will definitely be sticking with this recipe. Out of time constraint, last season, pellets were applied to the surface as opposed to mixing the pellets into the soil around the base of the plant, so this season we will try and do this properly. We alo will pay particular attention to maintaining the mounds around the root base and regularly loosening the soil. With our flash floods and heavy downpours the mounds do flatten and the soil becomes compacted. This results in roots being exposed, water running off the soil as opposed to into the soil and ultimately impacting on the plants optimal growth.

9) Support. Last year we added support as the plants became bigger. Not knowing how big some of the plants would get. We have a better idea this year and will be implementing supports at the beginning. We have two types of bamboo on the farm and will be using the harder thinner bamboo as this does not disturb the roots as much.

10) Drink. More beer. Last year we did not have nearly enough beer to get us through the backbreaking work... so there will have to be more beer for sure :) Just one more thing on that, Nature is an amazing process. Trust in nature. Everything has its place and jumping to intervene (which we always want to do) is sometimes the worst thing that we can do. Plants are very forgiving once established and a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. So chill. Have a beer when the nerves are frayed and you want to reach for the napalm. Nature is amazing most of the time and things in nature have survived a million times over. For aphids there are ladybirds. For insects there are the birds... if you napalm the aphids, the ladybirds will go... just chill and have a beer :) This is my theory and I am sticking to it lol

Ok, lots on the cards this year. plenty to do and arrange and it will be kicking off shortly. The plants from last year are still in the garden and field. I only over wintered the special plants. Of these there are 100 mature plants that I rescued from the winter frost. The other 900 plants are still in the soil. It looks like armageddon in the fields. Some plants have been taken by the frost for sure, but others are showing signs of life. I plan to go this week to weed out the dead plants from the survivors and prune dead wood. I am planning to rearrange things somewhat, so once I have established the survivors, I will be transplanting those plants to get order back into the fields. This will allow me to get the vacant land ready for new plants.

As mentioned germination is well under way. Propagator has been fired up now for month and a bit and seedlings are coming along just great. First week of October will be my D-Day for planting.

Loads of exciting new chillies on the go this season. I had intended to cut down on the number of plants this year... but guess what :D

Grow List 2013/2014

Aji Lemon
Angkor Sunrise
Anheim
Antilaise Caribbean
Avenir
Baby Belle Pimento
Bahamian Goat
Bali Long
Bali Naga
Bhut Jolokia
Bhut Jolokia Cappuccino
Bhut Jolokia Chocolate
Bhut Jolokia Peach
Bhut Jolokia X Habanero Giant White
Big Jim
Bile Bile (Zimbabwean PeriPeri)
Biquinho
Bishops Crown
Black Pearl
Blondie
Bonda Ma Jacques
Boriya Mirch
Cabe Merah
Calapeño Thunder
California Wonder Golden
Calypso
CARDI Red
Carolina Reaper
Cayenne
Joe's Long Cayenne
Cherry Sweet
Cherry Bomb
Cheyenne
Cheyenne X Thai
Condom (Aji Verde)
Datil
Devil's Tongue Brown
Devil's Tongue White
Ecuadorian Sweet
Explosive Embers
Facing Heaven
Fatalii Red
Fatalii White
Fatalii Yellow
Fidalga Roxa
Fish Pepper
Goronong Cili
Habanero Big Sun
Habanero Champagne
Habanero Gambia
Habanero Golden
Habanero Paper Lantern
Habanero Peach Long
Habanero Red
Habanero Large White
Habanero White Jellybean
Hong Kong
Hot Pixies
Hungarian Hot Wax
Hungarian Sweet Wax
Hungarian White Apple
Ignite
Jalapeño
Jalapeño El Jefe
Jamaican Gold
Jawala
Long Thai
Madballz7
Makulu Peri
Malaguetta
Manzano Orange
Mata Frade
Morango
Naga King Jolokia
Naga Morich (European)
Naga Morich (Indian)
Naga Viper
NagaBon
Nagalah
Orange Blob
Pasilla Bajio
Pata Pario
PeriPeri (Mozambique)
PeriPeri (Malawi)
PeriPeri (SA)
Phuli Jiyoti
Pimenta de Neyde
Purple Tiger
Red Savina
Ring of Fire
Rocotillo
Rodo
CARDI Yellow Scorpion
Scarlet Lantern
Scotch Bonnet
Scotch Bonnet Peach Long
Serrano
Sikanya
Tabasco
Thai Dragon
Thaibo
Trinidad 7 Pot Barrakpore
Trinidad 7 Pot Jonah X Trinidad Scorpion ButchT
Trinidad 7 Pot Primo
Trinidad 7 Pot Brainstrain
Trinidad 7 Pot Burgundy
Trinidad 7 Pot Douglah
Trinidad 7 Pot Jonah
Trinidad 7 Pot Red
Trinidad 7 Pot White
Trinidad Scorpion ButchT
Trinidad Scorpion Moruga
Trinidad Perfume
Trinidad Scorpion ButchT X Bhut Jolokia
Trinidad Scorpion ButchT X Trinidad 7 Pot Primo
Trinidad Scorpion ButchT X Moruga
Trinidad Scorpion CARDI Yellow X Bhut Jolokia
Trinidad Scorpion Long Tail
Trinidad Scorpion Moruga Chocolate
Trinidad Scorpion Sunrise
Trinidad Scorpion Yellow FG
Tuscan Frgitello (Pepperoncini)
 
122 different types - I hope that will be it :D
 
Thank you to Stickman for the seeds. Thank you to Conor for his seeds and thank you to Meatfreak for the amazing selection he sent. I am still hoping that Walkgood's package will arrive - so thanks for those in advance my friend!
 
 
 
PeriPeri said:
You see! I knew you had the answers buddy :D You really do know your stuff Rick! Are you getting some well deserved rest buddy? Or are you straight into the next germination cycle? I want to give the Kim Chi a try this season and I have your recipe to follow... so its going to be good!
 
When you say calcium... are you talking calcium or bone meal por are they one and the same?
 
Bone meal is a source of calcium (and nitrogen, and phosphorus), but the calcium salts are largely unavailable to the plants until dissolved in some sort of acid. Rainwater is naturally acidic due to the presence of carbonic acid even when acid rain precursors aren't present. That's one of the reasons you'll notice growth spurts after a good rain. Agricultural lime made from dolomitic limestone also needs to be dissolved in acid, and adds magnesium to the soil as well as calcium. The rotting plant matter in humus also provides tannic and humic acids to the soil that will dissolve the minerals in the presence of water. That's the key... enough calcium present, enough acid to dissolve it and render it into a form usable by the plants and enough water to facilitate the process. I noticed the blossom end rot mostly during the dry period from midsummer 'til early autumn. Now that I have the ability to rig a drip irrigation system in the pepper garden, I'm hoping it ceases to be a problem.
 
Some reading for you... ;)    http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/Ca_Basics.htm
 
stickman said:
 
Bone meal is a source of calcium (and nitrogen, and phosphorus), but the calcium salts are largely unavailable to the plants until dissolved in some sort of acid. Rainwater is naturally acidic due to the presence of carbonic acid even when acid rain precursors aren't present. That's one of the reasons you'll notice growth spurts after a good rain. Agricultural lime made from dolomitic limestone also needs to be dissolved in acid, and adds magnesium to the soil as well as calcium. The rotting plant matter in humus also provides tannic and humic acids to the soil that will dissolve the minerals in the presence of water. That's the key... enough calcium present, enough acid to dissolve it and render it into a form usable by the plants and enough water to facilitate the process. I noticed the blossom end rot mostly during the dry period from midsummer 'til early autumn. Now that I have the ability to rig a drip irrigation system in the pepper garden, I'm hoping it ceases to be a problem.
 
Some reading for you... ;)    http://www.spectrumanalytic.com/support/library/ff/Ca_Basics.htm
Thank you Rick for the advice on this and the link. This makes a lot of sense. Right now, we have loads of rain, so not much rot happening I think. But I will read up about this... I want to make sure every one of them Pasilla grow to their fullest potential :) The first year I grew I had lots of pods rotting on me, but I think something was gnawing holes in the pods and then the water got in. Thanks again buddy - you have yourself a good day!
 
PeriPeri said:
Thank you Daedra, and welcome ;)

Charles, those look fabulous! I just love the colour! I think mine the colour is the same and if you compare your imature smaller pods to mine... they are very similar. In my first season, I got some huge pods. Not sure they have crossed, but I have not seen large pods like in the first season. I am hoping I will get some monster pods this season on the new plants. I just love that colour! lol Thanks for sharing... that plant of yours looks awesome I think. How was it taste wise?
 
Do I see more Naga King pods way in the distance in that pic? What chillies are those?
 
No, on the left in the background are choco bhut pods :)
 
Spicegeist said:
Well, here's a shot from my plant from this past season:
14791887384_645b8b14c2_b.jpg

 
Maybe it crossed with one of the reapers you were growing?  These pods were very hot...
 
 
PeriPeri said:
Yup, I see the Choco Bhuts on the left. Theres a Naga King pod next to the Choco Bhuts. On the other side of that Naga King pods in the background are some more large pale green pods in the background. What are those?
 
Ok, I see what you're talking about... those are Shabu Jolokia...
 
PaulG said:
Glad to hear the postal service is cranking up, Lourens.  Will wait a while then send you a package!
:D Wow Paul, I am soo excited! Your powder the last time kept a permanent smile on my face! Thank you. And likewise here... you parcel will be heading your way shortly ;)
Spicegeist said:
 
 
 
Ok, I see what you're talking about... those are Shabu Jolokia...
I have never heard of those. Are these Bhuts from a certain region then?
 
Hey Lourens,I see you're in greenside tomorrow. That not far from bruynston right? Cuz I'm living in bruynston till I go back,so I'll talk to my dad and seif I can go check out what you sell over there ;)
 
PeriPeri said:
:D Wow Paul, I am soo excited! Your powder the last time kept a permanent smile on my face! Thank you. And likewise here... you parcel will be heading your way shortly ;)

I have never heard of those. Are these Bhuts from a certain region then?
 
I have some pics in my 2014 glog (as well as a pic of a ripe Naga King), have a look: http://thehotpepper.com/topic/44012-spicegeist-2014-the-year-of-the-bhut/?p=1030302
 
As far as I can tell they're a bhut grown in China, supposedly from "from the western edge of the Tengchong County where it borders the Myanmar (Burma)," found that tidbit here:
http://www.chilefoundry.com/2011/05/30/shabu-shabu-new-chinese-hot-chilli/
 
Spicegeist said:
 
I have some pics in my 2014 glog (as well as a pic of a ripe Naga King), have a look: http://thehotpepper.com/topic/44012-spicegeist-2014-the-year-of-the-bhut/?p=1030302
 
As far as I can tell they're a bhut grown in China, supposedly from "from the western edge of the Tengchong County where it borders the Myanmar (Burma)," found that tidbit here:
http://www.chilefoundry.com/2011/05/30/shabu-shabu-new-chinese-hot-chilli/
Hi Charles, thank you for this feedback! I love the flavour of the Naga Kings, I must say. And they are quitre hot for sure :) I love how you have focused on the Bhuts this past season. A very interesting concept and great to be able to compare them like that!
 
I've gotta say, I love the Naga King pods! This year I used them for powder, but next year I plan to grow more of them and experiment with them in sauces.
 
I'm sure you'll do fine with the Pasillas Lourens... especially now that you have them close by in an urban area where (hopefully) pests are less of a problem. At least you're less likely to have Vervet Monkeys around. ;)
 
stickman said:
I've gotta say, I love the Naga King pods! This year I used them for powder, but next year I plan to grow more of them and experiment with them in sauces.
 
I'm sure you'll do fine with the Pasillas Lourens... especially now that you have them close by in an urban area where (hopefully) pests are less of a problem. At least you're less likely to have Vervet Monkeys around. ;)
Hey Rick - that is great news... I am going to try and see if I can isolate the plants that look true to the original stock. I have muslin bags I purchased so I can tie off any branches of good specimens ;)
 
It is SUCH an awesome pleasure being able to just step out of my patio door to tend the flocjk rather than  having to drive for a whole hour :) And ofcourse the monkeys!
 
Waves of Green........very healthy looking plants. Those photos have me encouraged enough to skip my Xmas shopping and head to the Nursery for some seed starting mix........the truth !
 
Best of luck with your super hots...and other varieties.
 
PIC 1 said:
Waves of Green........very healthy looking plants. Those photos have me encouraged enough to skip my Xmas shopping and head to the Nursery for some seed starting mix........the truth !
 
Best of luck with your super hots...and other varieties.
Hey Greg, thank you buddy that is just awesome! :D
 
Lourens my friend. I just have to say,you're 2014 vintage sauce is AMAZING! It has a realy great taste,and it has a nice kick to it,its hot,but not too hot. Your srirarcha sauce is an absolute winner too,it realy has that amazing sweet,sour,savoury and spicy taste!
Your exceptionaly hot cashew nuts is the best cashew nuts I've EVE eaten in my life,it has a massive kick and that great cashew nut taste!
I was wondering if you have any pods that I can come buy some time next week as I'm going back to Oudtshoorn on the 27th
Thanks
J
 
chilli whisperer said:
Lourens my friend. I just have to say,you're 2014 vintage sauce is AMAZING! It has a realy great taste,and it has a nice kick to it,its hot,but not too hot. Your srirarcha sauce is an absolute winner too,it realy has that amazing sweet,sour,savoury and spicy taste!
Your exceptionaly hot cashew nuts is the best cashew nuts I've EVE eaten in my life,it has a massive kick and that great cashew nut taste!
I was wondering if you have any pods that I can come buy some time next week as I'm going back to Oudtshoorn on the 27th
Thanks
J
:oops:  Thank you J, and thank you for making the point of dropping by and meeting up. It was awesome meeting you and your dad and I am super excited that you enjoyed the goods that were on offer. Lots more scope for playing around with recipes and products etc. So keep them peeled. I will be at the market again tomorrow but sadly... no prods at all at the moment. Poddage will only really start to kick in say February/March. Sometimes in January if we are lucky... but Feb/March is the time for pods :( But I do have some awesome plants and maybe this might interest you. You have my number, just let me know ;)
 
Hahaha thanks lourens :P hmm,plants sound good,but I don't think I can take plants on a bus? :/ oh well,I'll have to orders some pods online when the time comes :)
Thanks
J
 
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