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!!!

 

[highalt]

Plants are looking great! Podding/blooming! Great stuff...you're way ahead of last year's grow. Gonna be a banner year at Bonnie's casa! 
 
Reusing empty shakers becomes infinitely more fun when you don't use the sharpie to label over them...keep 'em guessing! The empty bottle of Cayenne powder got pure primo at my house...my Mother in Law thought she liked spicy food!    

 
I hope you're right about that banner year!
 
I almost feel sorry for your MIL, Shane.     People at my house no better than to touch any of the spice jars on the top shelf!  That's were all my homemade powders go.  They are suspicious of anything that doesn't look store bought!
 

All looks great, pods, Iove pods!
 
Great pics! I'm impressed with your photography.

 
Thank you, Scott!
 

Been too long since I've been over here - glad to catch up! You're in the ground! You'll love the Bishop's crowns I think - they are a great pepper. And I'm glad my fatalii is setting pods, that is unless it doesn't grow true, then I'm so sorry Shane's fatalii is a fraud.

I just saw a news story that part of Colorado is considering leaving the state. Does that include your area? If so, will the new state have less wind? I can't believe the weather you guys have to battle there. If the new state is better that way, that would be a selling point

 
I didn't even know about that whole secession thing.  After I read your comment, I had to go look up the story.  It doesn't affect my county.  I wonder if it's related to the whole legalized marij. issue?
 

Alright Bonnie! Looks like you've taken off the training wheels and can let go of the seat! As we all know... letting go is the hardest part. Everything is looking great around the house, I hope the same for the ones out in the community garden. Cheers!

 
Yeah, I got tired of babysitting teenagers.      Now I'm just making sure they have enough to drink, and keeping the weeds from taking over.
 

Lookin good, Bonnie. Pods are comin on strong!

 
There are a few plants that are still recovering from being planted out, but the majority have at least a pod or two.
 
 
UPDATE:
 
Went down to the community garden this afternoon thinking I'd take some video, but there were several people there, so I just stuck with pictures.  See we're back to that whole weirdo thing again.     
 
I'll start with the New Mexican chiles first.
 
Lumbre
 

 
Cochiti
 

 
Barker's Hot
 

 
Here's Ancho Gigantia
 

 
Chilhuacle Negro
 

 
Chilhuacle Amarillo
 

 
Costeno Amarillo
 

 
Aji Chinchi Amarillo
 

 
Okay, here is the Jamaican Hot Yellow that is not shaped at all like the pictures I have seen.  Should be shaped like a patty pan squash.
 

 
Bishop's Crown
 

 
 
I have a couple more pod pics and some nons when I get a bump.

 

[midwestchilehead]

Great progress Bonnie. Your New Mexico varieties are way ahead of mine.

 

[highalt]

Thanks, John!  I started the annuums a week earlier this year, and it has made a big difference.  The plants were threatening to take over there at the end of the indoor grow, but now I think it was worth the extra work.
 
 
"The" Fatalii
 

 
These last couple were taken here at the house.
 
Santa Fe Grande
 

 
Yummy
 

 
Gold Currant tomato blooming
 

 
Broadleaf Sage - there were lots of pollinators (and grasshoppers  ) on the plant, but couldn't seem to catch one with the camera.
 

 
Lychnis chalcedonica (Maltese Cross)
 

 
First bloom on the Linum flavum compactum (Golden Flax)
 

 
Strawberries
 

 
Guess that's all for now.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!
 
Ooops, I almost forgot.  I used the last of last year's Strawberry Rhubarb jam this afternoon to make these breakfast bars.  Now I HAVE to make some more!

 

[stc3248]

You're on the money with your assessment of your JHY...doesn't look right! "The" Fatalii looks like its Andy's right now too...pod should be more pointed, but maybe it's just a first pod thing?  All in all...you have PODS and that is enough!!! Plants look great Bonnie, keep the pics coming in!

 

[stickman]

Hi Bonnie.
   Things have sure kicked up quickly for you. Lovin' the baby pod shots! Out of curiousity, how drought-tolerant are the flowers you're growing around the house? My wife loves the look of some of them enough to plant them herself, but our soil is very sandy and things tend to dry out pretty quickly. Cheers!

 

[DocNrock]

Lots of pods.  Looks great.

 

[highalt]

You're on the money with your assessment of your JHY...doesn't look right! "The" Fatalii looks like its Andy's right now too...pod should be more pointed, but maybe it's just a first pod thing?  All in all...you have PODS and that is enough!!! Plants look great Bonnie, keep the pics coming in!

 
I was thinking the same thing on the Fatalii, that maybe it was just a a first pod thing.   Especially with all the stress the plants were in right after being put in the ground.
 
On the Jamaican Hot Yellow, my germination records say that I received the seeds for that from KingDenniz via Rick.   
 
 

Hi Bonnie.
   Things have sure kicked up quickly for you. Lovin' the baby pod shots! Out of curiousity, how drought-tolerant are the flowers you're growing around the house? My wife loves the look of some of them enough to plant them herself, but our soil is very sandy and things tend to dry out pretty quickly. Cheers!

 
 
If you see it in my desert garden, trust me it's xeric!  When we first moved in and had a dirt canvas, I spent a lot of time researching was would grow here without a lot of irrigation.  One really good source is High Country Gardens.  They specialize in waterwise plants.  Off the top of my head though, here are the ones that I know do well in full, high altitude sun with very little water.
 
Alyssum
Agastache - this one will get crown rot if watered too much
Blanketflower  (Gaillardia)
Yarrow (Achillea)
Shasta Daisies
Black Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)
California Poppies, and also Oriental Poppies
Sedums - both the tall kind, and the ground cover type
Iceplants (Delosperma)
Penstemon
Snapdragons
Golden Rod  (Solidago)
Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
Daylilies
Zauschneria
Sage
Lavender
Thyme
 
I'm really amazed at how much stuff will do well in this climate.  It's nice to know that I don't have to settle for nothing but cactus and yucca!!!  Of course, even xeric stuff has to be watered until the plant gets established, or in times of severe drought, but for the most part my garden is low maintenance ...  well, except for pulling bindweed.

 

[Devv]

Bonnie,
 
Glad to see you plants are doing so well!
 
And, once again fantastic picks!
 
 I hope your grow continues to follow the path it's on and rewards you with a HUGE HARVEST!

 

[highalt]

Thanks, Scott!!!
 
Oh, Rick, I thought of a couple more:
 
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)  - Mine are about to bloom, should be able to post a pic soon.
Mullein (Verbascum)
 
Both of those do well because they are tap rooted.  

 

[highalt]

Well, since the weekend seems to be "rush hour" down at the community garden, I thought I'd do a video here at the house.  You'll be happy to know it's my shortest one yet!   See, I'm learning!!!     
 
Tried loading the video straight from the camera onto Windows Movie Maker to edit, but it is still telling me that it doesn't support the file type, which is an MOV file.  Anyone know if there is a way to convert it to a file type that it will recognize?

 
And for those of you that don't want to sit through the video, here's a couple of still shots:
 
Biker Billy Hybrid Jalapeno
 

 
 
Alma Paprika
 

 
Good thing I shot the video today, the forecast is calling for 40 mph winds again by Tuesday!   

 

[DocNrock]

Oh no...40 mph winds?  Wow.  Hope everything is staked.  Great photos!  Especially the flower.

 

[Pulpiteer]

wow, lots of pods now - awesome! 
 
Yeah, that Fatalii doesn't look right yet.  It did spend time in California though, so the first few pods might be messed up.
 
The secession thing is more about gun control, I think.  It sounds like rural counties that want to govern themselves instead of being run by the bigger cities.  They feel ignored, if I remember the article right. No one mentioned laws against extreme wind, but I just kind of assumed...

 

[MGOLD86]

Looking great Bonnie! 

 

[stickman]

Thanks for the info on the drought tolerant flowers Bonnie, I'll be sure to pass it on to my wife.   Nice looking shot of that Almapaprika... how large do the pods get for you? I have some that are silver-dollar sized and I have no idea how big they'll get.

 

[highalt]

Thanks for the info on the drought tolerant flowers Bonnie, I'll be sure to pass it on to my wife.   Nice looking shot of that Almapaprika... how large do the pods get for you? I have some that are silver-dollar sized and I have no idea how big they'll get.

 
Your welcome!
 
The Alma Paprika usually gets around golf ball size for me, but YMMV.
 

Oh no...40 mph winds?  Wow.  Hope everything is staked.  Great photos!  Especially the flower.

 
 
Things aren't really staked yet.  I'm hoping to get by the community garden after work today and run the first line of twine for the Florida weave.  That should give the plants the support to survive those winds.  At the house, I'll have to scrounge around for some stakes, before the winds get too crazy.
 
BTW, stopped by your glog the other day, and was very impressed with your drip system!  That's a LOT of pots to irrigate!

wow, lots of pods now - awesome! 
 
Yeah, that Fatalii doesn't look right yet.  It did spend time in California though, so the first few pods might be messed up.
 
The secession thing is more about gun control, I think.  It sounds like rural counties that want to govern themselves instead of being run by the bigger cities.  They feel ignored, if I remember the article right. No one mentioned laws against extreme wind, but I just kind of assumed...

 
 
Still waiting on "The" Fatalii to set more pods, so I can see who the "daddy" is.  

 

[stickman]

 
Your welcome!
 
The Alma Paprika usually gets around golf ball size for me, but YMMV.

 
Thanks Bonnie, I guess I've got a couple ready to pick then. Glad to see you were able to get one of the Ochsenhorn (oxenhorn)  peppers into the ground... They got a late start here too, but they put on some pods, so I can't complain.

 

[highalt]

You're not going to wait for them to ripen?  I've only picked them once they were red, which takes a while after they've reached full sized.  You'll miss out on the sweetness if you eat them now!

 

[stickman]

You're not going to wait for them to ripen?  I've only picked them once they were red, which takes a while after they've reached full sized.  You'll miss out on the sweetness if you eat them now!

True... I might as well wait since I only have 2 of them anyway. Balázs says that in Hungary, they pick them full-sized, but only ripened to the yellow stage. Then they core them, stuff and pickle them. I'm going to put together at least a couple of jars that way, but it'll take a while until there's enough of them to do that.

 

[WalkGood]

You've come a long way since dirt bike jumping 5 pages back. It seems two pages back I said congrats on first pod and now it's mega congrats on mucho mas pods, great job! BTW beautiful flowers too ^_^

 

[highalt]

Thanks, Ramon!
 
There won't be any pics today, due to the 30 + mph winds that have been blowing all day.   
 
Oh wait, I do have one pic I can post.
 

 
First canning project of the season = Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.  Not to brag, but that is deliciousness in a jar!
Think I have enough Rhubarb for one more batch, or maybe some Strawberry Rhubarb butter.