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A Tale of Two Datils

Listen, friends to this cautionary tale of what can happen with open pollination!
 
 
 
I've known for a couple years that my saved datil seeds had some extraneous genes floating in them.   In an attempt to get back to a purer strain, I pulled out some 2-year old seeds to see if they would germinate and produce true pods.
 
 
"Ha!"   Mother Nature said.
 
 
Two plants front(#2) and  back(#1):
Datil%20Crosses%2072215_zpsfhdecl2k.jpg

These are very similar in growth habit but very different in pod shape and color.
 
 
Let's take a closer look:
 
Plant #1 
Datil%20x%20Market%201e_zpseum9woqw.jpg

 
 
 
 
Plant #2
Datil%20x%20Market%20var2e_zpsgigde26d.jpg

 
 
 
 
 
Both plants from the same seed pack.    Both absolutely loaded with small pods.   Both very hot and tasty, thank goodness.
 
 
 
 
So, what did the datil cross with?   This guy:
BeniMarket3.jpg

"Beni Market"
 
 
 
 
So, I got to have two fun crosses for the price of one.      The yellow pods taste more like Datils, and the red like Beni Market.
 
Datil-ish2_zpsm9czxpbf.jpg

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Beni Market has caused chaos in my garden before.  This is a Beni Market x Bonda Ma Jacques:
CrossBMJxCRecife_zpsd396fb84.jpg

 
 
 
Remember folks, always use protection when isolating pods!
 
 
 
Cheers,
 
MB
 
 

 
 
They look fantastic though!! Mother nature go figure ya just never know what she's up to!!! Great post. MrBigglesWorth looks like yer having a great season!!!
Cheers
 
Those are super awesome! I had a plant last year that was 1/2 Thai Orange and the other 1/2 Red. It was only a single plant and the craziest thing I have seen with my own grow. Cutest little pods, look like Xmas ornaments. 
 
LUCKYDOG said:
The odd shaped ones look like plastic nipples. I forget their other name. But very seedy.
 
Exactly.    The Beni Market is tasty but chock full of seeds.     I got them in a mystery seed pack from Pepperlover or Peppermania, can't remember which.
 
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