BPWilly's 2014 grow

bpwilly · Aug 6, 2014

Got a nice surprise in the mail today! OCD Chilihead sent me some seeds that I had been looking for.

Thanks so much, Got my planning for 2015 started!

LS929 said:
Bill,

The giant mexican rocoto looks incredible, along with all your other growing.

I'm glad I got to see someone else grow these though. I have these on my list to grow for next year's plants and was taken back by the black seeds. They look delicious and hearty as well. Do they have a fruity flavor or would it pair well with them in a tropical salsa?

LS929

They do have a fruity flavor, but the first thing I thought of when I tasted them was that they would go great in a salsa in place of the traditional Jalapenos that we use around here. Yes, the black seeds are very different, but it seems that all the different peppers in this species have them which does make them unique in a way. I was worried about them being able to grow in my climate, but they seem to really like it and the plants are larger any of my other peppers. There is a topic on this list about these peppers, and yop will see some very large plants in there (monsters). Give them a try next year, I bet you will like them. ThThere are several different colors and types, and I have only tried to orange Rocoto and have a Orange Manzano ripening soon. The two plants (Manzano and Giant Mex Rocoto) look identical as do the peppers themselves, but I see different sizes and colors on this list, so have many more to grow out in the following years.

Good luck and I should have more pictures later this season!
Just some pictures of some peppers that I pulled today. Having fun with the camera tring to get close-up pictures.
Here are my first Trinidad Scotch Bonnets. Shape is different from the jamaican SB, but they look great none the less. Have not tried one yet, but will on the next day or so.

next up are a couple of Aji Lemons (or Lemon Drops) never sure what the differnce is

Some Charleston Hots (first year for me on these, nice heat!)

Another Rocoto. This is the third one and they are all about the same size and shape. (1.75 inch x 3 inch)

My very first MOA. Not a typical shape but exciting to me none the less. I figure the first pods are going to be strange shaped, buit was excited to taste it. Great flavor, heat was less than a Hab, but hit the back of my throut first and then worked its way forward! A first for me. looking forward for more in the future.

My first early Barrackpore, all the rest are still small and green. Will be tasting this soon as well

That is it for harvest today,

will post some pictures of the soon to be pods next (not ripe, but waiting for them to get there!)

Thanks for putting up with my picture taking experiments!

LS929 · Aug 6, 2014

Thanks Bill, they sound quite wonderful. I've never actually heard of the Manzano's before either so I'll have to check those out too.

OCD Chilehead · Aug 6, 2014

bpwilly said:
Got a nice surprise in the mail today! OCD Chilihead sent me some seeds that I had been looking for.

Thanks so much, Got my planning for 2015 started!

LS929

They do have a fruity flavor, but the first thing I thought of when I tasted them was that they would go great in a salsa in place of the traditional Jalapenos that we use around here. Yes, the black seeds are very different, but it seems that all the different peppers in this species have them which does make them unique in a way. I was worried about them being able to grow in my climate, but they seem to really like it and the plants are larger any of my other peppers. There is a topic on this list about these peppers, and yop will see some very large plants in there (monsters). Give them a try next year, I bet you will like them. ThThere are several different colors and types, and I have only tried to orange Rocoto and have a Orange Manzano ripening soon. The two plants (Manzano and Giant Mex Rocoto) look identical as do the peppers themselves, but I see different sizes and colors on this list, so have many more to grow out in the following years.

Good luck and I should have more pictures later this season!Just some pictures of some peppers that I pulled today. Having fun with the camera tring to get close-up pictures.
Here are my first Trinidad Scotch Bonnets. Shape is different from the jamaican SB, but they look great none the less. Have not tried one yet, but will on the next day or so.

next up are a couple of Aji Lemons (or Lemon Drops) never sure what the differnce is

Some Charleston Hots (first year for me on these, nice heat!)

Another Rocoto. This is the third one and they are all about the same size and shape. (1.75 inch x 3 inch)

My very first MOA. Not a typical shape but exciting to me none the less. I figure the first pods are going to be strange shaped, buit was excited to taste it. Great flavor, heat was less than a Hab, but hit the back of my throut first and then worked its way forward! A first for me. looking forward for more in the future.

My first early Barrackpore, all the rest are still small and green. Will be tasting this soon as well

That is it for harvest today,

will post some pictures of the soon to be pods next (not ripe, but waiting for them to get there!)

Thanks for putting up with my picture taking experiments!

Your more than welcome Bill. Hope they all sprout. Just paying it forward.

Nice pod pics. Still trying to figure that out. I've notice lighting as the biggest factor when I take pics. They never come out the same. Keep it up. Congrats on the MOA. Let us know how the Bonnets and Barrackpore taste.

Thanks for sharing

Chuck

bpwilly · Aug 7, 2014

OCD Chilehead said:
Your more than welcome Bill. Hope they all sprout. Just paying it forward.

Nice pod pics. Still trying to figure that out. I've notice lighting as the biggest factor when I take pics. They never come out the same. Keep it up. Congrats on the MOA. Let us know how the Bonnets and Barrackpore taste.

Thanks for sharing

Chuck

Chuck, there are a few folks on this list that take some incredible pictures, and you are right, the lighting seems to make the most difference. In the Wilds blog, I have notices that some seem to use a black backdrop or something to make the plant color and flower color really pop out. I do know that I need to work on learning how to best capture the depth of filed that I want and to use a tripod, as hand held seems to be a 50/50 chance for me at best. sometimes I luck out and others I get everything but what I was hoping to capture. But some of my pictures are getting better, so someting is working.

I will post how the pods taste to me as I am not use to eating some of the super hots like some folks seem to be. I remember last year when I triued by first reaper. Thought I was going to be permenently in pain. I would much rather use that one in sauce rather than eating it fresh again. I try, but am not able to munch on these like others, but they sure are fun to grow and the powder is easier to use when needed.

I made some pepper infused salt with by yellow Bhuts and yellow Brain Strains last year and it goes great on popcorn. I just have to remember to not inhale in when stuffing my face with popcorn.

OCD Chilehead · Aug 8, 2014

bpwilly said:
Chuck, there are a few folks on this list that take some incredible pictures, and you are right, the lighting seems to make the most difference. In the Wilds blog, I have notices that some seem to use a black backdrop or something to make the plant color and flower color really pop out. I do know that I need to work on learning how to best capture the depth of filed that I want and to use a tripod, as hand held seems to be a 50/50 chance for me at best. sometimes I luck out and others I get everything but what I was hoping to capture. But some of my pictures are getting better, so someting is working.

I will post how the pods taste to me as I am not use to eating some of the super hots like some folks seem to be. I remember last year when I triued by first reaper. Thought I was going to be permenently in pain. I would much rather use that one in sauce rather than eating it fresh again. I try, but am not able to munch on these like others, but they sure are fun to grow and the powder is easier to use when needed.

I made some pepper infused salt with by yellow Bhuts and yellow Brain Strains last year and it goes great on popcorn. I just have to remember to not inhale in when stuffing my face with popcorn.

My girlfriend takes pictures of her products she sells online in a light box. I might give that a try as soon as I get some ripe pods to shoot. Still learning outside pics with time of day. I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Smart Camera. Still trying to figure it out.

I've resorted to slivers with super hots so I can taste the flavor. Then I munch more to judge heat.

turbo · Aug 20, 2014

Hey Bill, how are your peppers doing? Did they enjoy the rain last week? I'm curious how your MOA are doing? The one you gave me has grown into a pretty good sized plant, but has only one pepper on it. Its kind of odd behavior, since the rest of the plants you gave me are doing awesome, especially the Fatalii and Trinidad Scotch Bonnet. Both of those are packed with pepper waiting to get ripe.

Hope all your plants are spitting out peppers like mad!

bpwilly · Aug 21, 2014

turbo said:
Hey Bill, how are your peppers doing? Did they enjoy the rain last week? I'm curious how your MOA are doing? The one you gave me has grown into a pretty good sized plant, but has only one pepper on it. Its kind of odd behavior, since the rest of the plants you gave me are doing awesome, especially the Fatalii and Trinidad Scotch Bonnet. Both of those are packed with pepper waiting to get ripe.

Hope all your plants are spitting out peppers like mad!

Turbo,

Most all the plants are really growing now with the cooler but sunny weather. I have one MOA that while late, does have quite a few pods on it, but like yours, they seem to be a lot later than most of my other plants. I am guessing the the pods I have are a first run quality, because there are not any with what I see called grade A pods, but they are at least getting some size to them, so I will have to see how they actually do, if they get ripe in time.
This seems to be a late year for this area, as my Fatallis are runnig later than they were last year, yet I started them earlier. I am getting some nice looking pods, but they are ll green except for my Manzanos, rocotos and lemon drops. I did get a couple of choc Devil tongues and I have 2 real nice red Bhuts that look ready to pick. All in all, I think we are just going to have a laet season here, so we need to prey that the weather holds out till October.

I do need to get some pictures, as I have some nice looking (green) yellow Brainstrains, that if they get ripe will be a great treat. I know they came in well last year towards the end of the season.

What has been surprising me is the congos, as they have always been pretty dependable, but so far all I have gotten if those little early ones, hot, but small.

I will get some pictures in the next few days to post.

OCD Chilehead · Aug 21, 2014

Sounds great Bill. Can't wait for some pics. I have tons of flowers and pod formation. I have a feeling Fall is coming quick. It's dropped 10 degrees daytime and night. Ouch. The plants are loving it for now. They just keep pumping out flowers. A learning curve here. You almost need a green house here for Spring and Fall.

Devv · Aug 22, 2014

You guys up north have such a challenge with the temps. Congrats on the pods Ma Nature decides to share with you!

OCD Chilehead · Sep 3, 2014

Hey Bill. Just checking to see how everything's going.

bpwilly · Sep 4, 2014

Time for a update. Had my PC go belly up on me, so needed to pick up a replacement.

Things are starting (slowly) to ripen up. Have lots of green pods, but am getting color on some of them.
Here is a 7 Pot Yellow PS

A Aji Panca - not a lot of pods on these this year.

Black Naga ( I hope these turn from red to black!)

Yellow Congo

Trinidad Scotch Bonnet

Chocolate Habanero (date is upside down, because I had to shot this while bending over)

7 Pot Chaguana

7 Pot Chocolate

Chocolate Bhut

"Not Yellow" Bhut I must have messed up on the labeling, as my other yellow bhut does look different (Yellow!)

Have a lot more pictures to show, just not a lot of color besides green!

Spicegeist · Sep 4, 2014

Did you switch to a mac? Unfortunately I think your red peppers are not going to turn brown... there's always next year...

OCD Chilehead · Sep 4, 2014

Wow Bill. Pods are looking great. Prolific plants. Green pods are just as cool. Black Naga is crazy.

Thanks for sharing. Great pics Bill.

bpwilly · Sep 5, 2014

Spicegeist said:
Did you switch to a mac? Unfortunately I think your red peppers are not going to turn brown... there's always next year...

No, not a Mac for me. I use to have one years ago and really liked it, but have gotten use to the normal PC so am sticking with that for now.

Bummer to hear about the Black Naga or "Not" Black Naga. I will miss having the black ones, as they made a great sauce last year, but I fifugre I can make the same with the regular ones just as well.

Your right about next year, I am already thinking about what I will be planting and how many I will be planting. I have some many in the freaser now from before, plus lots of dried peppers, so it is not like I need any, but they are funt to grow and see what works and what surprises I run into.

OCD Chilehead said:
Wow Bill. Pods are looking great. Prolific plants. Green pods are just as cool. Black Naga is crazy.

Thanks for sharing. Great pics Bill.

Thanks Chuck. I just hope we have enough time so some of these pods get ripe. A few of my Manzanos have 10-20 pods on them and the Rocotos are podding up again, so I will hand in there till the frost takes them.

Noe I need to start thinking about What and how many plants I should try to OW. Have never done that, but I don't have much room. My garage is unheated, so I think it might get to cold. Guess I can try and see what happens.

Need a bump and I will post some more pictures

blorvak · Sep 5, 2014

Bump!

I'm trying to figure out OW'ing some plants too. Might make some sort of rudimentary greenhouse, and use xmas lights for heat.

bpwilly · Sep 5, 2014

Thanks for the bump,

Here are some more shots of the current crop. More green than I would like, but at least there are pods.

Trinidad Perfume (first year gowing these)

Giant White Habaneros

Red Congo

Yellow Congo

Black Congo

Dorset Naga

Biquino Yellow (first time growing these)

Devils Tongue

MOA - No "Grade A" shapes here, but it is getting pods!

MOA - One of my other MOA planst, no Grade A shapes here either. But the taste is spot on!

Need another bump, as I have a few more

PIC 1 · Sep 5, 2014

Very nice bp....your plants are just loaded down with pods. The unripe one's will be hitting you in waves of colors...soon !

bpwilly · Sep 5, 2014

PIC 1 said:
Very nice bp....your plants are just loaded down with pods. The unripe one's will be hitting you in waves of colors...soon !

Thanks, I am hoping that is the case. Sometimes we have a nice and long mild Sept/Oct, and if that happens this year, I should be OK. Either way, it is always fun to grow and learn more about growing these peppers. I plan on using more AACT next year and see what difference it makes. I know it can not hurt.

Here are the rest of my pics that I toook the other day.

Trin Scorpion Orange (Again taken upsidedown!)

Choc Hab

Manzano

Rocoto

Yellow Fatalli

Yellow Bhut - pretty small pods, but at least the right color this time

That should be it, until I start getting more color

OCD Chilehead · Sep 5, 2014

Awesome pod production Bill. Some nice healthy peppers you got there. I think you'll get some color soon enough.

bpwilly · Sep 5, 2014

Well I was out watering the plants in the back and was able to pull a few ripe pods today.

Starting at the bottom, and moving counter CCW

Yellow Congo, Bhut, Fatalli, 7 Pot Chaguana, 7 Pot Choc, 7 Pot Yellow BS, Yellow Bhut, Small Red Congos, Bahamian Goat, Choc Hab, Lemon Drop, Butch T, Choc Bhut (some not as ripe as I thought they were)