I live in coastal Vancouver Island, Latitude 50° North. I grew Bhut Jolokia last summer (3 plants), and harvested but a single ripe pod. Our maritime climate caused the night temperatures to fall below 65°F / 18°C every night that season except for 1 week in late July/early August. That's when fruit-set occurred.
I'm pretty sure that calcium was in adequate supply, and saw no indications that any other nutrients were scarce.
I understand that Capsicums annuum, baccatum and pubescens can set fruit at these night-time temperatures, but i need to grow C. chinense. I do not have to grow superhots (which, as a group, seem to be fussier than other chinense strains).
Unfortunately, i will not be able to build a greenhouse, cold-frame or solarium for this. The plants have to be outside for the summer.
I suspect that strains from higher elevations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile or Peru may have developed in a similar climate: low-Latitude, high-altitude climates often weirdly mimic mid-Latitude maritime climates -- mild winters with cool summers, much like mine.
It's also possible that C. chinense strains grown on other continents -- for example, the Safi Scotch Bonnet from Morocco -- may have adapted to conditions different than those found in C. chinense's natural range in South America. I tried researching the Moroccan connection, but i was unable to find out WHERE in Morocco it is grown. I hiit the same obstacle for the Turkiye Yikdizi pepper of Turkey.
Fatalii and Datil peppers are grown in climates about as warm as the natural habitat of C. chinense -- "out of the frying pan, and into the fire", so to speak.
The proprietor of Pepperlover.com informs me that MoA Scotch Bonnets have a bit of an advantage, so they're going on my shopping list -- if Judy recommends it, it's obviously a step in the right direction!
Can anyone recommend any other varieties?
EDIT: I have just received an email from Peter, of Semillas Seeds. He recommends Peruvian chinenses, except for the berry-shaped forms (which are from the Amazonas region). The latter require warmer temperatures or a longer growing season.
I'm pretty sure that calcium was in adequate supply, and saw no indications that any other nutrients were scarce.
I understand that Capsicums annuum, baccatum and pubescens can set fruit at these night-time temperatures, but i need to grow C. chinense. I do not have to grow superhots (which, as a group, seem to be fussier than other chinense strains).
Unfortunately, i will not be able to build a greenhouse, cold-frame or solarium for this. The plants have to be outside for the summer.
I suspect that strains from higher elevations in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile or Peru may have developed in a similar climate: low-Latitude, high-altitude climates often weirdly mimic mid-Latitude maritime climates -- mild winters with cool summers, much like mine.
It's also possible that C. chinense strains grown on other continents -- for example, the Safi Scotch Bonnet from Morocco -- may have adapted to conditions different than those found in C. chinense's natural range in South America. I tried researching the Moroccan connection, but i was unable to find out WHERE in Morocco it is grown. I hiit the same obstacle for the Turkiye Yikdizi pepper of Turkey.
Fatalii and Datil peppers are grown in climates about as warm as the natural habitat of C. chinense -- "out of the frying pan, and into the fire", so to speak.
The proprietor of Pepperlover.com informs me that MoA Scotch Bonnets have a bit of an advantage, so they're going on my shopping list -- if Judy recommends it, it's obviously a step in the right direction!
Can anyone recommend any other varieties?
EDIT: I have just received an email from Peter, of Semillas Seeds. He recommends Peruvian chinenses, except for the berry-shaped forms (which are from the Amazonas region). The latter require warmer temperatures or a longer growing season.