Comptine's Swedish Glog 2016

Devv · Jul 20, 2016

I'm really glad to see you're now seeing the fruits of all the work you put into the plants. The Aji Pineapples are a very nice pepper. I love to munch on them straight off the plants.

Wishing you continued success!

LuckyLuke · Jul 21, 2016

Comptine said:
Also, what's up with this? It's a runt Zimbabwe bird that's mature, it's existence is so unnecessary, it's so small I can't eat it.

yeah, it is small, but makes great powder.

stickman · Jul 23, 2016

Comptine said:
Cheers John. The weather has picked up recently, although not as much as yours has. We hit 26C today, and it was mostly sunny. We're in for a nice week though. I'm hoping things will start ripening properly now. I have hundreds, if not over a 1000 tomatoes, and none has ripened yet, and I feel like my Cayennes have on for over a month and are still green.

I hope you are well, and that your plants are doing great. How are the air pots working out so far?

That's a lot of unripe Tomatoes... do you pinch the suckers on your Tomato plants? If you don't, they just keep growing more leaves and setting more fruit without having the energy to properly ripen the fruit they've already set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxj_O72SgZU

Nice to see color on your Aji Pineapple pods too! Mine aren't quite there yet, but soon I hope. Cheers!

Comptine · Jul 23, 2016

stickman said:
That's a lot of unripe Tomatoes... do you pinch the suckers on your Tomato plants? If you don't, they just keep growing more leaves and setting more fruit without having the energy to properly ripen the fruit they've already set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxj_O72SgZU

Nice to see color on your Aji Pineapple pods too! Mine aren't quite there yet, but soon I hope. Cheers!

Earlier in the season I let a lot of suckers grow. Past 3 or 4 weeks I've been pinching them, if I can spot them. I've also been trimming lower leaves off once a week or so, maybe 2-4 leaves per plant. Having said that, I'm actually starting to see some change colour! Finally. So I'm pleased with that. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they all start maturing. I have one variety though, it's been slow at every stage of it's life. It's called Igleheart Yellow, and was voted as the tomato of the year last season by someone in America. Bakers seeds (?) maybe.

I've also finally got one of the yellow or golden cayennes turning. I'd like to have both varieties turn at the same time so that I can decide if they are two different ones or just two different names for the same thing.

stickman · Jul 23, 2016

Comptine said:
Earlier in the season I let a lot of suckers grow. Past 3 or 4 weeks I've been pinching them, if I can spot them. I've also been trimming lower leaves off once a week or so, maybe 2-4 leaves per plant. Having said that, I'm actually starting to see some change colour! Finally. So I'm pleased with that. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they all start maturing. I have one variety though, it's been slow at every stage of it's life. It's called Igleheart Yellow, and was voted as the tomato of the year last season by someone in America. Bakers seeds (?) maybe.

I've also finally got one of the yellow or golden cayennes turning. I'd like to have both varieties turn at the same time so that I can decide if they are two different ones or just two different names for the same thing.

Yes! Ripe Tomatoes in the near future! :dance:

Will you be using any of them to make fresh salsa with some of your chiles? I'm sure the two yellow Cayennes will eventually come into synch, but if you hate waiting I can understand. I'm that way myself.

Comptine · Jul 23, 2016

stickman said:
Yes! Ripe Tomatoes in the near future! Will you be using any of them to make fresh salsa with some of your chiles? I'm sure the two yellow Cayennes will eventually come into synch, but if you hate waiting I can understand. I'm that way myself.

Hmm, I actually had no plans for the tomatoes, but salsa sounds like a brilliant idea! I feel like I've been waiting for the cayennes for ages, they were the first plants to set fruit, so I've been feeling like they are taking ages.

Comptine · Jul 28, 2016

I read something on a Swedish blog, a guy was saying that peppers in Sweden don't really like the long days that we get, so in the middle of the summer they just sit around doing very little, and at the end of July they start getting into gear. I'm not sure how scientific that is, but I have to agree that the peppers are really getting into it now. There are lots of flowers, lots of fruits maturing. I've had mature Cayennes, Jalapeños, Aji Lemon, Pineapple and Omnicolour. Not so many pictures of the mature ones, they were either quickly eaten or gifted to friends. Doing the rounds in the garden is so much fun. I'm harvesting 10-15 cucumbers a day, the tomatoes have slowly started ripening, so I've had a few of those. Beans are finally started to flower and set fruit (they were a whole lot slower than expected). Anyway, lets get the picture party started.

I have a HUGE farmer's market jalapeño, mostly because the plant only set one fruit and then I had a bit of flower drop. It's well over 15cm. No corking yet though.

Cayennes are absolutely loaded, can you spot a bit of yellow? I have 5 plants, golden and yellow cayennes (they are probably the same thing, but you can't have enough cayennes)

Ripening Omnis. I've harvested a few fruits off this one. They are hotter than I expected.

These are supposed to be Purple Pequins from pepperlover, but since they are 3-4 times as long as hers I doubt they'll grow true. They are loaded though.

My largest Mulato Isleno is getting quite big, I'm really pleased.

I've had a few ripe Aji Pineapples, but I haven't tried them myself yet, I gave them to my friend.

The Locato Red has set a few fruits, lots of flowers on it still.

For a mini rocoto the pods are larger than expected.

I love these little guys, Chupentinhos.

My Habanero Manzano. If the seeds weren't black, are they truly a habanero manzano or will it be something else?

May I have a bump please?

Neel · Jul 28, 2016

Bump. Looking awesome.

Comptine said:
I've had a few ripe Aji Pineapples, but I haven't tried them myself yet, I gave them to my friend.

Now that's some generosity

Comptine · Jul 28, 2016

Neel said:
Bump. Looking awesome.

Now that's some generosity

Cheers.

Well, why not? I have more peppers than I can consume. And it's also a plot to get him into becoming a pepperhead. I gave him 3 plants earlier in the season too, and he has enjoyed growing them.

Right, back to the pictures.

The White Bullet Hab has started setting fruit too now, it's like they started popping up over night after some flower drop.

Same goes for this Beni Highlands. The pods are a little on the small side, as is the plant, but I'm just pleased to have fruits at all, so I'm really happy.

My tiny pod trio. Prik Kee Nu Suan, Chinese Pot and Zimbabwe Bird. The Chinese pot (middle) is a strong contender for a bonchi project later on.

And finally, the Aji Oro that is super heavy, really loaded with fruits. I imagine they'll start ripening soon if they're that heavy.

Also, I wanted to do a mini rant on how quite a few pepperlover seeds have been off. Starting with the Aji Chuncho where none of 50 seeds germinated, Colombian yellow which really wasn't yellow and the Purple Peqiuns looking like they'll be off too. I can't have ordered more than 20-25 varieties off her, so that's actually quite bad when 3 of them aren't what I was promised. Rant thingy over.

tsurrie · Jul 28, 2016

Very good - seeing so many growing pods. You'll have a great time trying them all, and if you can't consume them, be sure to make a sauce or two.
Tried any of them Chupetinho's ? I like to eat them while I'm on my garden, they're just the right heat level, not like White habanero, that one can light you up sometimes.
Enjoy your growing and keep us posted! :clap:

Comptine · Jul 28, 2016

tsurrie said:
Very good - seeing so many growing pods. You'll have a great time trying them all, and if you can't consume them, be sure to make a sauce or two.
Tried any of them Chupetinho's ? I like to eat them while I'm on my garden, they're just the right heat level, not like White habanero, that one can light you up sometimes.
Enjoy your growing and keep us posted!

I'm waiting for them to turn red before trying one. I tend to prefer mature pods.

Last year I made a lot of jalapeño and mango marmalade, which was super popular, but I reckon the sugar masked the heat completely, so this year I want to add some spicier peppers to the mix and see how that works out. Obviously make some powders, probably from the super small fruits. I like to add a pepper or two in food a lot, most things go with some heat.

I love taking pictures of my produce, so I'm sure there'll be more pictures in the future. I have a few more chinenses that still haven't set fruit yet. Nearly all are flowering though, with the exception of the Jobito for some reason, annoyingly enough.

Devv · Jul 28, 2016

Glad to see your garden is doing so well

I too have had issues from purchased seeds. I seem to do better using the seeds I receive from THP members, whether from pods or seed paks. THP peeps are the best!

Keep it green!

Thegreenchilemonster · Jul 28, 2016

Your aji oro is looking loaded with pods! I had to stake and meticulously prune my aji oro to keep the branches and fruit off the ground. It is so weird that these plants love growing sideways so much!

Comptine · Jul 29, 2016

Devv said:
Glad to see your garden is doing so well

I too have had issues from purchased seeds. I seem to do better using the seeds I receive from THP members, whether from pods or seed paks. THP peeps are the best!

Keep it green!

Pepperlover seems to have such a good reputation though, so I'm surprised. THP peeps really are the best, you rarely see more generous people.

Thegreenchilemonster said:
Your aji oro is looking loaded with pods! I had to stake and meticulously prune my aji oro to keep the branches and fruit off the ground. It is so weird that these plants love growing sideways so much!

Luckily mine is on the table, so I just let them rest there. I don't bother pruning. I have rocotos outside, I'm hoping the pot is high enough to keep them off the ground, if not I'll have to stake them later. I actually have a super tall aji oro, not at all bushy. I'll try to include a picture of it next time I do an update.

Chilidude · Jul 31, 2016

Have you ever thought about trying out coco or maybe few airpots in your next growing season?

peppamang · Jul 31, 2016

Awesome grow. :party:

Comptine · Jul 31, 2016

Chilidude said:
Have you ever thought about trying out coco or maybe few airpots in your next growing season?

I've got some airpots at the moment actually!

I have 6 1Litre pots, I used them when potting up my seedlings. I have 5 3Litre pots, all of them have chinense peppers in them, but I think it's a bit small, they're lagging behind a little, compared to normal pot peppers, and they dry out fast. Finally I have 2 6Litre pots, but I've got two aubergine plants in them, and those are doing really well. They are the same size as my 10litre pot aubergine plants. Coco isn't as easily available though, I grow in peat. If I get more airpots they will be 6litre and up, any smaller than that and the larger peppers just don't seem happy, I should have put tiny pod plants in there.

Chilidude · Jul 31, 2016

Comptine said:
I've got some airpots at the moment actually!

I have 6 1Litre pots, I used them when potting up my seedlings. I have 5 3Litre pots, all of them have chinense peppers in them, but I think it's a bit small, they're lagging behind a little, compared to normal pot peppers, and they dry out fast. Finally I have 2 6Litre pots, but I've got two aubergine plants in them, and those are doing really well. They are the same size as my 10litre pot aubergine plants. Coco isn't as easily available though, I grow in peat. If I get more airpots they will be 6litre and up, any smaller than that and the larger peppers just don't seem happy, I should have put tiny pod plants in there.

You should get the 10 litre airpots, so the pots dont dry out fast and the bigger chilis like them too. I only have bought the Ugro coco XL blocks, that will give you 70 litres of ready to use coco coir once the water is added in. Never ever buy the cheap coco coir, only buy the quality stuff or you will be sorry.

Comptine · Jul 31, 2016

Chilidude said:
You should get the 10 litre airpots, so the pots dont dry out fast and the bigger chilis like them too. I only have bought the Ugro coco XL blocks, that will give you 70 litres of ready to use coco coir once the water is added in. Never ever buy the cheap coco coir, only buy the quality stuff or you will be sorry.

I've considered trying larger air pots, but I also really like the square pots, they use the space in the greenhouse better. Round pots always means some dead space in between. I've seen the UGRO coco. I'm hoping that next year though, I won't have to buy any soil at all. I have a friend that will supply me with horse poop, so I can amend the soil with that, and just use all the existing soil, just change up what I grow in it to avoid deceases.

Chilidude · Jul 31, 2016

Comptine said:
I've considered trying larger air pots, but I also really like the square pots, they use the space in the greenhouse better. Round pots always means some dead space in between. I've seen the UGRO coco. I'm hoping that next year though, I won't have to buy any soil at all. I have a friend that will supply me with horse poop, so I can amend the soil with that, and just use all the existing soil, just change up what I grow in it to avoid deceases.

Maybe add some perlite to the coco+soil mix, because the chilis really like to grow in a more fluffier stuff.