Chile Del Monte

[mmcdermott1]

Well I went to another nursery today looking for more pots. While I didn't get any pots, the owner figured out I like hot peppers. So, he said he has a guy from texas/mexico area that comes up this way every once in a while. Anyway, he gave the owner some seeds to try and grow for him but he never came back to get them. The owner asked me if I wanted them because he says they are hot and he doesnt like hot peppers so he gave me 9 plants. Right now they are fairly small..maybe 3" tall.

My question is..I know they are wild and I know they are a Tepin...but is there anything else anyone knows about these?

I found an article that mentions them or at least the phrase "Chile Del Monte"

http://darnhotpeppers.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/in-search-of-the-ancient-chiletepinpart-ii/

 

[MisterBigglesworth]

LOL 9 more plants, Dear.

 

[nitwit]

and so it begins...

 

[mmcdermott1]

LOL 9 more plants, Dear.

lol..well they were free..i couldn't say no...could I?

 

[mmcdermott1_thehothalf]

LOL 9 more plants, Dear.

HAHAHA

I told him...heck dear, get three more peppers then we will officially have 300 pepper plants. And I know if he doesn't get the three, it will drive me nuts, and I will have to go shopping for more. The local nursery that sells bhuts has their 1/2 off sale starting this weekend! Watch out here I come!

 

[mmcdermott1]

Ok I found a really good article. Chile Del Monte is just another name for wild Tepin..

http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/texas/entry/chiltepin_state_native_pepper/

I am curious about a statement in this article:

"Chiltepins are resistant to frost but lose their leaves in cold winter weather. New growth will sprout from the base of the plant if it is frozen back. "

What do they mean by "frozen back"? Is this suggesting that this plant can stay outside year round even in the temperatures we have here in Ohio?

 

[Avon Barksdale]

Nah they definitely can't stay out year round where we live, no chile pepper is that hardy. I think they're talking about places like Texas where they might only get a few light frosts. By "frozen back" it sounds like they mean a lot of the branches die and the top portion of the plant dies but the main stem/base of the plant survives and new growth comes off of there.

 

[mmcdermott1]

Nah they definitely can't stay out year round where we live, no chile pepper is that hardy. I think they're talking about places like Texas where they might only get a few light frosts. By "frozen back" it sounds like they mean a lot of the branches die and the top portion of the plant dies but the main stem/base of the plant survives and new growth comes off of there.

Im gonna put a Manzano to that test this winter! lol

 

[Avon Barksdale]

Im gonna put a Manzano to that test this winter! lol

I have a vent that constantly blows out warm air in the winter, I think I'm going to put a Manzano next to it and see how long it lasts. I noticed that plants started growing in front of it late winter before any other plants started growing around the yard. Maybe I'll try overwintering a Manzano and putting it in front of the vent at the end of February too. Hmm...

 

[nitwit]

there was some writings of a 12 inch thick layer
of fallen leaves maintaining the ground unfrozen
in canada maybe (the canadiens may know about this)
you could possibly "bed" the plants after dormancy sets in

i think it is way cool that you have become obsessed
with wilds and of overwinterating them


( i thought that may happen to you )

 

[mmcdermott1]

I have a vent that constantly blows out warm air in the winter, I think I'm going to put a Manzano next to it and see how long it lasts. I noticed that plants started growing in front of it late winter before any other plants started growing around the yard. Maybe I'll try overwintering a Manzano and putting it in front of the vent at the end of February too. Hmm...

Hmm...I have a dryer vent