Hello from Gibsons, British Columbia!

Hi there, I'm new to the forums, although I've been lurking for quite some time. I'm a horticultural consultant and avid gardener of many years, although growing hot peppers is new territory for me.

I would like to eventually grow mostly perennial varieties, with emphasis on the hottest peppers that grow well outdoors in the PNW and can be overwintered indoors.

I look forward to learning what I can from the discussions here. Any advice or pointers from PNW/ BC growers, and growers from areas with similar climates, would be greatly appreciated!
 
LordTriffid78 said:
I would like to eventually grow mostly perennial varieties, with emphasis on the hottest peppers that grow well outdoors in the PNW and can be overwintered indoors.
I look forward to learning what I can from the discussions here. Any advice or pointers from PNW/ BC growers, and growers from areas with similar climates, would be greatly appreciated!
The Koppen classification system for climates and climate zones compares our maritime climate favorably with some high altitude near-equatorial areas of the world... Including highland regions of Peru and Bolivia. Our winters are a bt colder, our summers a bit warmer.
The (arguably) most climate-adapted species of pepper cultivated in this area is Capsicum pubescens. Grown by the Incas, the Manzano and Rocoto peppers (theee are many strains to choose from) typically feature bright blue flowers, rounded apple-shaped fruit, and a wide range of heat levels.
I think it would need the same kind of aggressive winter mulching as a French artichoke does here, or you might erect a coldframe structure over their planting site. Wheeling planter tubs into an outbuilding for the winter might be another solution.
Whatever you plan, note that some strains grow quite large (they are a woody perennial).

... And welcome to THP.

It will be fascinating to see where you go with this idea... there are members much more informed than i am, but if you posted a thread in the Pepper Talk forum, you'd get ideas that might be better than Capsicum pubescens as a selection. Peruvian/Bolivian highland C. chinense landrace strains like Beni Highland are reputed to be early and productive in our type of climate, but are far from superhots.

PM me if you start a thread on this. I'd be fascinated to follow it.
 
Hey Mikeg, thanks for chiming in! I've read your thread on attempting to grow chinense's on Vancouver Island with great interest. The west coast of the Island, although technically very mild, I would imagine would be extremely challenging to grow certain things, like most Capsicums. Yet, windmill palms, Eucalyptus and Cordyline trees thrive in Tofino. I imagine most hardy tree ferns should grow like weeds in that area.

I'll start a thread in hot pepper talk, soon, and I'll keep you in the loop.
 
Back
Top