Highalt's 2013 Grow - End of Season Wrap Up

I know some of you guys have already started seeds for next year's grow, and I should have started the Manzano's a month ago, but I am still working on finalizing the grow list.

Each year since I started growing peppers, the list has gotten bigger, and they have taken up a larger % of my vegetable growing space. I started working part-time 3 months ago, and I am a mother of three, so I am struggling with being realistic about how much time I can devote to pepper growing this coming season. Right now, I've got between 65 and 70 varieties on the list, and some of them I'd really like to have more than one plant. Last year, I ended up with about 50 varieties and a total of 75 plants. So you can see that I have some work to do before I start putting the seeds in the dirt!

I thought I would go ahead and put up my tentative list, and use the feedback I get from you guys to help me narrow things down a bit. Those of you that know me will notice that I still haven't gotten brave enough to add any supers yet ... maybe next year.

So here's what I got so far:

Annums
Alice's Favorite
Alma Paprika
Ancho Gigantia, and/or Ancho San Luis
Barker (NuMex)
Biker Billy Jalapeno
Black Hungarian
Cayenne Thick (Can't remember who it was that was raving about this one this past season, but I don't have seeds for this one yet.)
Chilhuacle Amarillo
Chocolate Cherry
Cochiti
Cosa Arrugada and/or Pepperoncini
Costeno Amarillo
Fish
Fresno
Georgia Flame
Goat's Weed
Golden Cayenne
Hungarian Hot Wax
Jaloro
Jamaican Hot Yellow (Anyone have a source for these? It's confusing to me that the Jamaican Hot Choc. is a Chinense, but this one is listed as an Anuum!)
Jimmy Nardello
Leutschauer Paprika
Lumbre
Mulato Isleno
NuMex Pinata
NuMex Vaquero
Patio Red Marconi
Pusztagold
Sandia
Sante Fe Grande
Serrano (Not sure which one. May try the purple one this year.)
Tangerine Pimento and/or Yummy
Tobasco (Need seeds for this one.)
Zapotec Jalapeno

Baccatums
Aji Chinchi Amarillo
Aji Yellow
Birgit's Locoto
Bishop's Crown (Don't actually have seeds for this one yet. If anyone has some, I'd be willing to trade for them.)
El Oro de Equador
Inca Red Drop
Lemon Drop (Maybe. Last time they were bitter. May try a difference source.)
Pimenta Barro do Robiero
Purple de Arbol and/or Negro de Arbol (Which one is better?)

Chinenses
Aji Dulce (type 1 or 2 ?) Is this the same as Rocotillo?
Aji Limo Rojo
Bonda ma Jacques (Don't have seeds for this one yet either. May just grow Gold Bullet or regular yellow habanero as a substitute?)
Cheiro Roxa
Habanero, Peach (and maybe the Pink as well)
Habanero, White (I have the regular white, and White Bullet. Is the Peruvian White better, or are they all about the same?)
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Purple Bhut (Okay, I don't have seeds for this one either. Maybe I'll substitute Condor's Beak if I can't find any.)
Scotch Bonnet Yellow (Have some labeled True Jamaican Scotch Bonnet. Should those be yellow? Or red?)

Pubescens (Yeah, I know I'm really too late on these, and probably won't get any ripe fruit this coming season)
Orange Manzano
Red Manzano
Yellow Manzano


Well, I think that's about it. I'm sure the list will change a few more times before it's a done deal, but at least it's a start!

So tell me what you think about the ones I have questions on, or let me know where to find seeds for the ones I'm missing, or tell me what I should have on the list and don't. Just kidding on that last one!!!

 

[stc3248]

Thanks for the compliment Bonnie! Credit goes to the better half for forcing me to build the grow room in the garage. The lights from the grow shelves kept her up at night last year...even covered, on the far side of the house with our door closed...

Great job on germ so far Bonnie! Closest I'll get to you is El Paso...which isn't close. Jealous of your Pimenta de Neyde, one of the few that didn't pop for me. Still hope...but the germ station is probably getting unplugged Sunday so they better hurry up! How's your little Birgits Locoto doing? I have plenty of extras and only plan on moving forward with 4 or 5 of the largest at their next pot up, so keep me posted and one will be in the mail.

Keep up the good work!
Shane

 

[DocNrock]

Space is filling up! How much longer until plant-out?

 

[highalt]

How's your little Birgits Locoto doing? I have plenty of extras and only plan on moving forward with 4 or 5 of the largest at their next pot up, so keep me posted and one will be in the mail.

Keep up the good work!
Shane

Not doing much yet, but I just potted him up yesterday, so I think some progress will be made this week. If this one croaks, I'll be sure and hit you up for one of your extras.

Space is filling up! How much longer until plant-out?

Just two more weeks um, months. I'll start the whole haul them out in the day and back in at night and pick off all the aphids thing soon though.

 

[highalt]

Today's update:

Went to Wally world to get a splitter for the timer/soaker hose set up for the community garden, and look what I found! Some of you may remember last season the only thing I could find locally was hickory or mesquite.

Came home and fed all the peppers (except the ones potted up yesterday) 2 - 3 tsp. of Buddha Grow per gallon of water. I'm pretty sure I heard them say "Thank you!"


A couple of interesting discoveries:


Fresno - There was only one sprout yesterday when I potted it up!

If you look back at yesterday's photos, I posted a picture of a Cheiro Roxa with a non-Cheiro Roxa sprout. Well, today there are TWO, and they look like they are not even the same kind of sprouts! One has a purple stem, and the other is green. Not sure what to do with these babies ...

I may need to go back to the eye doctor 'cause I was sure I only put one seed in each Root Riot plug!!!

... and last but not least, the little sprout I named my glog after, a Chocolate Cherry that came up without its cotyledons.

He wants to live!!!

 

[stc3248]

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You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day
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Dang it...fresh out of likes for today! I am having the same "nice to have" problems you are. I could swear I planted 12 Birgits seeds...but I have 14 sprouts thus far??? Ha! Fresnos ahhhh....I like Fresno poppers better than Jals I think. Tastes similar only sweeter. Your grow is a favorite...you got some serious heat this year, but flavor is first on your list. Glad you're back in with regular updates! You're going to have to investigate those multi color sprouts further by growing them out! Keep 'em green lady!

 

[Pulpiteer]

You didn't grow the chocolate cherries last year did you? They were pretty fun - nice little sweet pepper. Good flavor.

 

[stickman]

Looks like you got some fun surprises after potting up Bonnie! Apple wood is nice to smoke with if you don't want a really pungent smoke flavor, but Birch and Alder might be more common in your area, and about as mild. Seasoned Birch also burns fast and hot if you need that.
I picked up a Chiero Recife in a plant swap this past weekend, so I'll get to grow that variety out too.

 

[highalt]

[background=rgb(233, 216, 193)]You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day[/background]​

Dang it...fresh out of likes for today! I am having the same "nice to have" problems you are. I could swear I planted 12 Birgits seeds...but I have 14 sprouts thus far??? Ha! Fresnos ahhhh....I like Fresno poppers better than Jals I think. Tastes similar only sweeter. Your grow is a favorite...you got some serious heat this year, but flavor is first on your list. Glad you're back in with regular updates! You're going to have to investigate those multi color sprouts further by growing them out! Keep 'em green lady!

Thank you, Shane!!! That's a high honor to be on your favorite's list!

Have you grown the Santa Fe Grande before? It's not as hot as the Fresno, but even sweeter with nice thick walls like a jalapeno. It's one of my favorite lower heat varieties.

I'd have a little more heat on my list if I'd have had any luck with the Scotch Bonnets. At least I've got one Manzano and a Birgit's Locoto, so I can't complain too much!

You didn't grow the chocolate cherries last year did you? They were pretty fun - nice little sweet pepper. Good flavor.

No, it didn't make last year's grow list. I did grow a Mini Chocolate Bell one year, but the flavor was just like a regular bell. Hoping this one is more flavorful.

Looks like you got some fun surprises after potting up Bonnie! Apple wood is nice to smoke with if you don't want a really pungent smoke flavor, but Birch and Alder might be more common in your area, and about as mild. Seasoned Birch also burns fast and hot if you need that.
I picked up a Chiero Recife in a plant swap this past weekend, so I'll get to grow that variety out too.

This year I'm growing Cheiro Roxa, but I did grow Cheiro Recife last year. It was not my favorite. The flavor was too Chinensy for me, if that makes any sense. Not sure that this one will taste any different, but it's ornamental qualities won me over, so I had to give it a try.

Up to now, the only wood I've found, commercially packaged anyway, is hickory or mesquite. There are so few actual trees around here, that there isn't much in the way of a local supply. They had bags of cherry wood the other day too, but they were chips and the hubby told me the chunks would burn longer, so that's what I picked up. May go back and get some of the cherry though ...

 

[stc3248]

Never grown them...they are readily available in stores out here and I eat them often though.

 

[highalt]

This is starting to get a bit ridonkulous!

This is my OTHER Cheiro Roxa plant. Look what I found last night!

... and today in with one of my Peach Habaneros.

At least I remember resowing this one, so I know what this one is, and I am happy to have more Peach Habaneros.


I probably should have just yanked all those hitchhikers, but I didn't have the heart, so I did some emergency surgery, and now I've got an extra Fresno and 3 No ID's.


Oh, and look what I noticed on some of my plants last night ...

little side branches forming! Considering we had several overcast days in a row, I am very pleased to see some growth happening!

 

[Sanarda]

Beautiful Bonnie. Things look fantastic.

 

[highalt]

Thanks, Pia! Things are looking pretty good over at your place too!


I had to do a double take when I checked everything this afternoon, 'cause I saw a hook on one of the True Jamaican Scotch Bonnets!!! I sowed them twice, but the last batch was sown on January 27th. That is a record for the slowest germination I've ever had on a pepper!!! It's craziness, but I don't care, I'm still doing the happy dance, since I may actually have some ripe Scotch Bonnets before the season's over.

Plus, there's still the Burkina Scotch Bonnets that were sown on 3-2-13 that may still sprout. It ain't over yet, folks!

 

[highalt]

Today's Update:


True Jamaican Scotch Bonnet

A view from above ...

Jamaican Hot Chocolate - a very slow grower!

Jamaican Hot Yellow

Bishop's Crown

Bonda ma Jacques

Habanero Pink - another slow grower!

Habanero White

Condor's Beak - can't wait to see the pods on this one

El Oro de Ecuador

Tobasco - has the darkest green leaves of all my plants

I really need to start some tomatoes this weekend, so the last few pepper seeds better sprout soon, or they are getting pitched! Can't have salsa without tomatoes!!!

 

[stc3248]

Looking good Bonnie! You keeping your hand tight on that Birgits?

 

[DesertChris]

Dang....Bonnie....now I want fresh salsa....lol

Yeah, where are you hiding your Birgit's? huh huh huh?

 

[highalt]

Looking good Bonnie! You keeping your hand tight on that Birgits?

Dang....Bonnie....now I want fresh salsa....lol

Yeah, where are you hiding your Birgit's? huh huh huh?

Okay, I went and took this picture just for you guys!

Mine is so far behind, my odds of winning are minuscule but I don't care. I'm really growing it to taste the pods, so as long as I get a harvest from it, I will still be a WINNER!

 

[stickman]

Mine is so far behind, my odds of winning are minuscule but I don't care. I'm really growing it to taste the pods, so as long as I get a harvest from it, I will still be a WINNER!

There ya go pard', ya gotta look at yer hole card and set yer mind accordingly...

 

[highalt]

Just a short update this morning.

First is a picture of the cotyledons on one of the Cheiro Roxa plants

Here is a shot of the cotyledons on two of the No ID's. At first they seemed more green, but they are showing more purple now.

... and a side view to show the stem color.

Now a picture of No ID # 3

So I'm thinking No ID #1 and #2 may actually be Cheiro Roxa sprouts, but # 3 is definitely something different.


I had planned to get some of those reflecting insulation panels, like Shane and some of the other folks on here are using in their grow boxes, but the gardening budget evaporated, so I had kind of given up on that for this season. Look what my husband brought home from work last night.

There are two 4' panels. Can't remember what he called them, mirror-something-or-other. Anyway, now I've got to figure out how to rig them up where they can be easily removed. Maybe some velcro tape and attach them to the edge to the light fixture? I'll post a picture once I get it worked out.

Oh, and Rick, the other Oschenhorn I sowed popped yesterday.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! I'm leading the worship at church this weekend, and am doing some acoustic versions of some old school hymns. Should be fun!

 

[Pulpiteer]

True Jamaican Scotch Bonnet

Habanero Pink - another slow grower!

Hooray on the Scotch Bonnet!

Have you grown the Pink Hab before? I know nothing about it. I'm guessing it's pink(ish)? Sounds interesting.

Looking like things are coming along great for you Bonnie.

 

[stickman]

Good on ya Bonnie! Any pics of the Ochsenhorn? Mine aren't growing very quickly ATM, but when things warm up enough I expect they'll pick up the pace.
Nice score with the reflector your hubby brought home. It's amazing the stuff you can lay hands on if you just keep your eyes and ears open... I got an old but extremely nice 10 inch table saw for free because I just happened to hear a carpenter talking about how a client of his asked him to find a good home for her deceased husband's power tools.