Guru's Garden - Traveling the World in Search of Peppers

Just starting this glog now so it's one less thing to do in a few months when I'm knee deep in compost and getting things in the ground.
 
Not much to report at the moment. Strains yet to be determined, but I'll probably end up growing too many like always...lol
 
 
Only thing that's going on right now is a clean back patio and the chickens doing their part turning over my compost pile on the daily. Intersted in seeing how the soil microbes appreciate the added chicken poop!
 

 

 
Hope everyone has had a decent winter so far and here's to happy germination!
 

 
 
 
EDIT UPDATE: This glog has turned into an ongoing overwintering, greenhouse and soil building how-to!

 

[internationalfish]

Ah man, you have some absolutely gorgeous pods there! I love the purple mixed in. Even the flowers are incredible.
 
[edit: 

]

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Well....
 
its been one year since my birthday trip to Bolivia...
 
here is my report
 
 
https://youtu.be/x_iuFUsjUdY

 

[DontPanic]

 
Well....
 
its been one year since my birthday trip to Bolivia...
 
here is my report

 
Was that a pepper plant so old and large that is was now a tree with a tree-fort?

 

[Pepper-Guru]

 
Was that a pepper plant so old and large that is was now a tree with a tree-fort?

haha! Im not sure what that thing was, but that monkey certainly didn't want me to leave! She held onto my leg all the way down the steps! 

 

[PaulG]

Quite an experience, Rich.
 
What's on the docket for future explorations?

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Quite an experience, Rich.
 
What's on the docket for future explorations?

Yucatán and Chiapas for Christmas with the family. Maybe stumble onto something with some dumb luck. 
 
but then ... it’s either Brazil, Peru, or Bolivia again...maybe Colombia. Waiting on a buddy to decide. 

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Ok. Bolivia round # 2 it is.

There are things I didn’t get to see last time, that I’m more confident in locating this time. Mystery to be revealed.

Touch base when I get back. Unless there’s something super cool and I have good data, then I’ll upload a shot or two here.

 

[Mr.joe]

Ok. Bolivia round # 2 it is.

There are things I didnt get to see last time, that Im more confident in locating this time. Mystery to be revealed.

Touch base when I get back. Unless theres something super cool and I have good data, then Ill upload a shot or two here.

Sounds like a ton of fun. Stay safe, take plenty of pictures

 

[PaulG]

Happy trails, Rich! looking forward to
your discoveries. Vicarious thrills for me!

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Just realized I never updated here for Bolivia Round II

Update incoming shortly.

 

[PaulG]

I can't hold my breath much longer!

 

[SineNomine]

I can't hold my breath much longer!

 

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Day 1 of Bolivia Trip # 2
 
 
The first and main goal of the trip was to nab the first known photographs of something I'm officially dubbing and referring to as
 
"Locopica"
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Either c pubescens subsp "arachnoideum" or c pube x c eshbaughii - time will tell. I certainly do see interspecific traits, don't you? 

 

[dragonsfire]

Real Nice !

 

[PaulG]

Wow, Rich, great documentation. Can't wait to
see what else you encountered on your trip.
 
I like the last pic showing the pubescens type
seeds. That's money, bro!

 

[dragonsfire]

Couldn't help wondering about the crown in the background, looked so familiar.
Mars Anomaly, dont think Recotos grow on mars but then you never know LOL.
 

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Real Nice !

 
Thanks! Tasty too! Funky wild locoto, earthy, total Bolivian flavor. Hot! 
 
 

Wow, Rich, great documentation. Can't wait to
see what else you encountered on your trip.
 
I like the last pic showing the pubescens type
seeds. That's money, bro!

 
Thanks, the plant made for an easy subject! 
 

Couldn't help wondering about the crown in the background, looked so familiar.
Mars Anomaly, dont think Recotos grow on mars but then you never know LOL.
 

 
 
Hahaha! That's it! 
 
 
 
 
 
Day 2 of Bolivia Trip # 2
 
 
Reuniting with many C. eshbaughii plants in the area, which seem to have multiplied and become much easier to spot now! Oh and ripe fruit to boot. 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Glandular thrichomes
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

[PaulG]

Wow, talk about prolific fruiting. Nice documentary
of this plant, Rich. Those spidery calyx teeth are
trippy! Is that the 'arachnoideum' characteristic?
And the triichomes look like they have terpenes
on the tips.
 
Looking forward to seeing more!

 

[Pepper-Guru]

Wow, talk about prolific fruiting. Nice documentary
of this plant, Rich. Those spidery calyx teeth are
trippy! Is that the 'arachnoideum' characteristic?
And the triichomes look like they have terpenes
on the tips.
 
Looking forward to seeing more!

well, those 10 calyx teeth are only exhibited in eschbaughii and a few other select species. I can only assume the subsp designation of "arachnoideum" in the pubescens looking plant were chosen based on that spider look for sure. Would have to ask the botanists that came up with that nick name. Up until now, it had only been rumored and the plant I was able to photograph had much smaller fruits than I anticipated finding. Nahuel Palombo actually discusses this finding at the 26:50 mark in his latest SOL Seminar: 
 
https://youtu.be/iHzQJ05KMOI?t=1610
 
No reports, that I know of up until I published these photos, mentioned the wild progenitor of c pubescens having that many calyx teeth (like we see in eshbaughii and caballeroi for example) So the number of calyx teeth and the yellow in the corolla throat, lead me to believe perhaps eshbaughii was a pollen donor or visa versa with Locoto I found nearby. 
 
Just a theory for now. More time will tell. 
 
Here is an important shot comparing Locopica or "arachnoideum" to C. eshbaughii
 

 
 
 
 

 

[Pepper-Guru]

After leaving the Samaipata valley, I made my way in the direction of Comarapa. Plenty of nice stops on the way. 
 
What ever geography that looked wet enough, and wooded enough to provide decent cover/structure and that transition zone of shade vs direct sunlight, where many of these capsicums tend to hang in nature. Usually along fence lines, foot paths, cattle paths, small clearings, just up the bank from the rivers edge, and as proven by the "Locopica" ... sometimes right next to human habitation, say along the spill way of a small downspout. 
 
The scenery driving in this country is simply incredible. No photo or video or drone shot will ever do it justice. 
 
Agua Blanca made for a nice lunch stop. Bridge over a raging river with super green valley farms and decent vegetation along the river side. Signage says there's a school nearby. 
 
A short walk on the trails reveals C. bac var bac in many different styles/locations.