I read so many good things about Lemon Drop that I decided to grow it this year. Then, I received some Aji Yellow seeds from Ajijoe, which he said he liked even better, so I decided to grow that one too. Both produced very large plants, which were very late to start flowering. The Lemon Drop was much more productive once it started setting fruit, with a thick bush-like growth habit. The only problem with my side-by-side comparison is that the plants were grown at two different locations. The Lemon Drop got a choice spot in the garden here at the house, with loose, rich soil and no more than 8 hours of full sun per day. The Aji Yellow on the other hand ended up at the community garden plot. Conditions there are concrete-like dirt with very little ammendments added, full sun from sun up to sundown, and inconsistent watering, as there were days that I just couldn't get over there to check on things. So in all fairness, the Aji Yellow had a harder life, and might have been more productive here at the house.
Neither plant had ripe pods when the first frost arrived, though the Aji Yellow had a little color on a couple of pods.
Here is what they look like today - 12 days after picking. Lemon Drop is on the left, Aji Yellow on the right.
Lemon Drop
Aji Yellow
Today, I was canning another batch of salsa, so I cut one of each of them up to try them. The Aji Yellow had a citrusy scent that reminded me of a Habanero. It was a bit hotter than a Serrano, but not as hot as a Habanero with a hint of sweetness. The Lemon Drop didn't smell very good, and while equal in heat to the Aji Yellow, had a taste that bordered on bitter to me. Not tasty at all!
Aji Yellow will go on next year's grow list. Lemon Drop I'm not so sure ...
With so many people listing Lemon Drop as one of their favorites, I've got to wonder what went wrong here. Any ideas? Anyone else have a comparison of the two to add?
Neither plant had ripe pods when the first frost arrived, though the Aji Yellow had a little color on a couple of pods.
Here is what they look like today - 12 days after picking. Lemon Drop is on the left, Aji Yellow on the right.
Lemon Drop
Aji Yellow
Today, I was canning another batch of salsa, so I cut one of each of them up to try them. The Aji Yellow had a citrusy scent that reminded me of a Habanero. It was a bit hotter than a Serrano, but not as hot as a Habanero with a hint of sweetness. The Lemon Drop didn't smell very good, and while equal in heat to the Aji Yellow, had a taste that bordered on bitter to me. Not tasty at all!
Aji Yellow will go on next year's grow list. Lemon Drop I'm not so sure ...
With so many people listing Lemon Drop as one of their favorites, I've got to wonder what went wrong here. Any ideas? Anyone else have a comparison of the two to add?