How to Tell if a Douglah is Ripe Enough?

KingLeerUK · Jun 11, 2014

This is my first year growing Douglahs and I've had a fair bit of success.

This morning I went out and found that almost every pod on the two producing plants have shifted over to a light brown/burgundy shade. The most advanced pod is a deeper brown colour, but still has some hints of yellow-green up around the stalk.

When will these be considered fully ripe? (and how do I tell)

How long can the pods be left on before they start to go wrong?

juanitos · Jun 11, 2014

pick them when they look like they do on judy's website pepperlover.com, not very technical answer but that's what i'd do.

hogleg · Jun 11, 2014

Eat one see if it taste ripe.

Rymerpt · Jun 11, 2014

The ones with my bite marks on them are ripe. Sorry couldn't resist.

Noah Yates · Jun 11, 2014

I would usually pick them when they had just a tinge of that beautiful neon green colour and let them sit for a few days for further ripening. They are beautiful ornaments for your counter.

This is what a fully ripe Douglah looks like:

Hammerfall · Jun 11, 2014

dark brown and agetting slightly softer than a green pod

Noah Yates · Jun 11, 2014

Yes the pepper will be dark brown with purple hues... the flash from the camera brings out the red undertones.

KingLeerUK · Jun 11, 2014

Here are some pics from earlier this evening:

Second one was taken without a flash.

We have been getting our typical epic afternoon downpours here in Florida. I am hoping it lets up a bit soon, last year I ended up with a mold/black spot problem that pretty much wrecked the rest of my season.

Pr0digal_son · Jun 12, 2014

Those are ripe. Look for an auburn color when harvesting.

KingLeerUK said:
Here are some pics from earlier this evening:

Second one was taken without a flash.

We have been getting our typical epic afternoon downpours here in Florida. I am hoping it lets up a bit soon, last year I ended up with a mold/black spot problem that pretty much wrecked the rest of my season.

Noah Yates · Jun 12, 2014

Basically a Mr Raisin color

geeme · Jun 12, 2014

You guys are a riot!

To me, douglahs go from green to a kind of muddy brown, stay that way for a while, then finally actually ripen to a rust-red type of color. If you pick them while still a muddy brown you will find they're still green inside. I don't care much for them underripe, but really like them fully ripe. The only time I pick them while still muddy brown is at the end of the season when I know they're going to bite the dust from a coming drop below freezing if I don't pull them in time.