maxcaps 2014 grow: avoiding the freeze!

Hello All,
 
New here, but feeling right at home. I figured I'd go ahead and get my glog started, though I may wait a few weeks yet before starting anything.
 
I'm pretty new, not totally new. I had a small grow last year, mostly in containers, bringing up plants that I hoped would make cool overwinter bonsai's (bonchi's). I ordered a handful of different varieties from http://fataliiseeds.net, all  95% of which sprouted nicely, though something must have gone wrong because many never grew true leaves. I think my house was too cold... I've moved now and now have an excellent heating system. I also kept the seeds by a window that I think got too drafty. 
 
I did have a handful of chinenses survive, including a wonderful Red Habanero from fataliiseeds, and some chiero roxa plants that produced a handful of tasty purple pods. I purchased some local Scotch Bonnett starts from a small scale nursery, and grew jalapeños and serrano starts from a local nursery. It's safe to say I am now addicted, as all these fire worked its way into my family's weekly diet. I have a 12'X8' plot begging for plants, and I may do some extra in containers...
 
Enough background. Here's the plan. As jalapeños (salsa, roasted, and canned) are not a staple, I want to grow a handful of varieties. The chinenses have amazing flavors, so I'm going to branch out with two or three new varieties (though sadly I did not save any scotch bonnet seeds from the last season... what is wrong with me?). Last year I tried some super hot varieties... none lived. I am going to try again! I actually ordered most of these seeds before stumbling upon this wonderful community. In any event, here is the lineup:
 
Chinenses:
 
Red Habanero (seeds kept and OW bonchi (thanks fatalii)
Chiero Roxa (seeds kept, may use OW bonchi, haven't decided)
Scotch Bonnett (forgot to keep seeds, but I can replant OW bonchi)
White Habanero (seeds from Pepper Joe, should arrive soon...)
Chocolate Habanero (seeds from Pepper Joe, should also arrive soon)
Fatali (from pepperlover.com)
Big Sun Habernero (from pepperlover)
 
Superhot Chinenses:
 
Carolina Reaper (seeds from PuckerButt)
Naga Morich (seeds from PuckerButt)
Bhut Jolokia (seeds from PuckerButt)
Dorset Naga (seeds from PuckerButt)
7 pod (from pepperlover.com)
 
Other Superhot:
 
Tiepin (seeds from PuckerButt)
 
Annuums:
 
Poblanos (from Pepper Joe... growing to Acho's to use as powder base)
Giant Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Early Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Black Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Purple Jalapeño (from Pepper Joe)
Fresno Pepper (from Pepper Joe)
 
Wish I had found you guys sooner, I'd have added some douglah's to the list. I am also on the fence about adding a couple more chinense varieties. 
 
Also growing some companions. Planning on putting in a couple tomato plants, garlic, cilantro, and carrots (had a lot of luck with tasty fat purple carrots... atomic purple I think they were called)
 
Will post some picks of my OW bonchi's tomorrow, and start going into techniques. On the fence about coffee-filter germination versus sowing in a tray.

 

[Devv]

Nice update!
 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
 
You're kickin' it Adam!
 
Everything looks great, plants and pods
 
Have a great week!

 

[JJJessee]

You are killin' it downtown, brutha!
 
Those beds are beautiful and you're makin' it look easy. 
 
Smokin them peppers is where it's at in my book.
 
Plus, my daughter turned me on to a simple salsa recipe last year of jals, onions, and tomatos -all halved or quarter, broil until  mostly soft with a little char on the onions, salt and spice as you like. A quick pulse or three in a processor to work it down a bit. She processed hers and it tasted great just a few weeks ago.
 
I put a little smoke on my before broiling. It never made it to the canner.
 
Keep it rollin'

 

[GA Growhead]

White bhuts going yellow will most likely stay yellow. I have four, hoping one makes white pods.
Some white pods will turn a bit more yellow at the end or with more direct sun exposure will have a more yellow hue. The whitest pods on my giant white habs were the ones tucked up under the canopy, safe from any sun light.The smaller podded white habs stay pretty much the same color regardless of light, but had a bit more yellow to them.

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Nice update!
 
I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
 
You're kickin' it Adam!
 
Everything looks great, plants and pods
 
Have a great week!

 
Thanks Scott! It's all thanks to the seeds and advice from the folks on this board. I've learned a ton about peppers, and growing them. Best way to clear your head.
 

You are killin' it downtown, brutha!
 
Those beds are beautiful and you're makin' it look easy. 
 
Smokin them peppers is where it's at in my book.
 
Plus, my daughter turned me on to a simple salsa recipe last year of jals, onions, and tomatos -all halved or quarter, broil until  mostly soft with a little char on the onions, salt and spice as you like. A quick pulse or three in a processor to work it down a bit. She processed hers and it tasted great just a few weeks ago.
 
I put a little smoke on my before broiling. It never made it to the canner.
 
Keep it rollin'

 
Broiling really helps. Nice roasted jals and onions really kick up the flavor in the salsa. Tomatoes can still be fresh. Salsa may be in the project queue this weekend.
 

White bhuts going yellow will most likely stay yellow. I have four, hoping one makes white pods.
Some white pods will turn a bit more yellow at the end or with more direct sun exposure will have a more yellow hue. The whitest pods on my giant white habs were the ones tucked up under the canopy, safe from any sun light.The smaller podded white habs stay pretty much the same color regardless of light, but had a bit more yellow to them.

 
Yeah they look like they're going yellow. The ones pictured are all fully shaded. It'll be interested to compare them to Charle's yellow bhut pods. Shape is different. The White Bhut's pods are much fatter and I want to say hab like. Still an amazing vigorous plant, and I did get some good isolate fruits to set too. So long as bugs don't attack the pods I think they'll be good. It's all going to get ate.
 
Decided to do a big round of pics. Tons of pods have set and are getting their shapes. Sauce time is coming up!
 

 
Here are my beds right now. Some of the tom vines are almost taller than me at this point. 
 

 
Chintexle/Tiepin X Barrackpore mystery pods from Charles. Plant is looking great. It has hundreds of tiny little pods on it, a little frut looking. I'll sample these soon but I may end up treating them like tabasco pods. We'll see.
 

 
Datils. I had thought the plant didn't have any fruit yet but it's actually got tons in the canopy.
 

 
Tabago Treasures are looking nice. Big pods. Bugs seem to be liking these sadly, but there
 

 
Giant Jals are my best jal producer so far. Heavy pods. Mine haven't been developing any corking. Probably going to pull a dozen or so of these guys tomorrow or saturday for weekend projects.
 

 
Bahamian Goats are set and running.Great shape on these pods. Awesome seeds Jason!
 

 
Indian Carbone from Jeff H. Lookin' pretty solid. Pod shape isn't fully developed yet so I'll keep tabs. She may be hiding a few more of these under the canopy.
 

 
Jamaican Yellow Mushroom. Also a very cool looking plant. BIG pods, some would fill my palm. 
 

 
Jason's OP MoAs. Look to be growing true and fast. A great looking pod. I am already hankering for some MoA jerk chicken and MoA hotsauce.
 

 
May have mixed up my photos here. I believe these are Charles' Yellow Bhuts. There are hundreds of pods on this plant, and they are growing very quickly. Small possibility it's a fatali. Pod shapes are similar at this stage.
 
That's 10. Got 20 more for bumps!

 

[Jamison]

Bump!  Looking good man,  I need more pics!!!

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Bump!  Looking good man,  I need more pics!!!

 
Here they come!
 

 
The elusive Not White Bhut, hiding in her canopy, awaiting weekend consumption.
 

 
Red Bhut is set. The slowest of the bhuts.
 

 
Ripened roxa pods. Been munchin' on these at lunch. They have a zesty, punchy flavor. Kind of aniseed-like, but with habanero flavor and maybe half hab heat.
 

 
TFM Bonnets. This guy lost all his leaves in the April freeze too. Doesn't seem to care now.
 

 
There ya go Jamison! Here's the big Goat's Weed. I was so excited for these pods that I planted extra. Now I got two of these growin', one in a container. The container GW has much smaller, blacker pods. This one's pods are getting huge, and don't seem to have the black phase of the smaller plant. Pics of the smaller one later.
 

 
Fresno pods. These are mighty tasty. Gonna pick a few this weekend, probably for salsa.
 

 
Blondies. This time I am waiting till they're blond. This is a wonderful looking plant, and seems to impress passersby. Also impresses birds.
 

 
Here are your MoA's Jamison! Also growing quite true. The pods on this plant are looking bigger and, may I say, slightly meaner? I have attempted to isolate seed here for ya.
 

 
Hab Big Sun. Very pale, bushy plant with big pods. Unfortunately he's not responding to the moisture well at all, lost a couple of pods to rot. Plenty more set though so I think we'll be fine. 
 

 
Scott's funky reaper. Looking sharp as hell. Mean little pods on this guy. Looks like a worm started to take a bite but changed his mind.
 
That's round 2. Bump for round 3!

 

[Jamison]

Yea buddy!  Bring it!

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Yea buddy!  Bring it!

 
And away they go!
 

 
Bushy little white bah plant from Pepper Joe. This plant is putting out an amazing number of pods for its size.
 
Somehow I missed the Giant White Habs from Jason. Next time. 
 

 
Brown Eggs starting to ripen. Looking quite tasty!
 

 
Yellow Bhut in a pot. Has really been picking up speed. May be good for isolating seeds (can move the whole plant to my balcony.)
 

 
Here's the smaller Goat's Weed in a container. Very different looking plant. Not sure if it's because one is in ground and one is in a pot? Both are looking fine.
 

 
Red Hab Bonchi has set a pod! Going for a great photo op toward the end of the summer!
 

 
OOPS. Roma's giving me a little trouble... overloaded the vine in one place and almost hit the ground. Had to do some pruning/training. Hopefully I can save the maters.
 

 
Big beautiful brandywines.
 

 
Brown Moruga pods. Also from Jamison. The pods in this bed are definitely more wicked.
 

 
First 7pot Brain has set. 
 

 
Other 7pots are taking their time, but have tons of buds.
 
There ya go! Your weekly-ish pod porn from downtown. Had to get these pics up because this weekend its project time.
 
Thanks for readin'!

 

[Jamison]

Awesome Adam!  That Goats Weed in the pot is def true.  The other one not so much,  and wouldn't make a difference if one is in a pot or inground.  Some kinda hybrid on the inground GW.  Your maters are looking amazing man, along with everything else.  Thanks for the pod porn,  it was awfully boring around here today.  Have fun this weekend with all the projects.  Don't forget to post pics of them too!!!  I'll be updating again on Sunday.

 

[Devv]

Amazing pod porn Adam!
 
You sir have a green thumb, hand, body
 
Whatever you're doing, just keep on doing
 
I'm sure all the growers around you are saying "how is he doing that?"

 

[tctenten]

Wow you are killing it Adam. Great pics and continued success.

 

[stickman]

You got it nailed Adam!... Just keep layin' it down man.

 

[maximumcapsicum]

Time is short, but you got to have lunch right?
 
Did a pull, did some projects. See below!
 
Before I forget, Happy Dad Day +1 to all the dads out there!
 

Awesome Adam!  That Goats Weed in the pot is def true.  The other one not so much,  and wouldn't make a difference if one is in a pot or inground.  Some kinda hybrid on the inground GW.  Your maters are looking amazing man, along with everything else.  Thanks for the pod porn,  it was awfully boring around here today.  Have fun this weekend with all the projects.  Don't forget to post pics of them too!!!  I'll be updating again on Sunday.

 
Thanks Jamison! Yeah I dehydrated a bunch of the not-goatsweed pods anyway. They taste good, just fleshier than they're supposed to be. When some of the trues ripen I'll compare. Maters are okay... Roma decided to put all her fruits in one basket, and that basket is buckling! Hope they ripen so I can pull them soon.
 

Amazing pod porn Adam!
 
You sir have a green thumb, hand, body
 
Whatever you're doing, just keep on doing
 
I'm sure all the growers around you are saying "how is he doing that?"

 
Thanks Scott! Yeah they give me long eyes there... I handed out a bunch of cherry maters and a couple jals to interested takers. Got to make friends right? Tried to give away some seedlings to interested takers, but they're "too hot." 
 

Wow you are killing it Adam. Great pics and continued success.

 
Thanks man! I'd love to see some of your plants!
 

You got it nailed Adam!... Just keep layin' it down man.

 
Thanks Rick! I made your recipe via Balázs yesterday. Botched it my first time through but I think I got the brine right on the second round. Will pop it open in a month or so to test.
 
Alrighty, so on Saturday I did my first real pull of the season:
 

 
Jal town, 5 or so different varieties. And my first pull of superhots... actually my first supers ever. White Bhuts that decided to be yellow. Very nice looking pods. More on them below.
 
While I was picking, I noticed I had a bunch of new residents in the garden who seem to be helping keep grasshoppers under control:
 

 
Crab spiders are perched on annuum flowers and pouncing on bad guys. There is a little friendly fire too though... they're also munching bees.
 

 
Orb Spiders have also set up shop in the denser sections. These guys are really enjoying the hoppers. Looking forward to watching them grow, but its hard to harvest without disturbing their webs.
 
Stats:
 

 
Giant Jals are indeed Giant, and Cracked Jals aren't too far behind, but the pods are much longer. Some of the cracked should have been left a little longer; their skin didn't peel too easily when roasting. Numex have a nutty note to them after roasting that I didn't find in the other peppers. They, along with most the spares, went into a big salsa batch. On the left middle are Sante Fe's... very sweet hot pepper when roasted. Picked when yellow and they're pretty mild too. The Fresnos on the upper left went with the purple jals into pepper jelly. Roxas went into the freezer and 3 of the 5 "white" bhuts went into the freezer also. The Goat's Weed cross (bottom middle) went into the dehydrator.
 

 

 
Made three jars of low sugar jalepeno jelly out of the purple jals. Didn't cook them long enough... a bit too much crunch, and the low sugar pectin mix had a stronger chemical taste than I wanted. Will probably go straight sugar next time around.
 
Tried two jalapeno pickle ring recipes and a big batch of salsa with the remaining. Most of the giants went into brine. Both pickle recipes are inspired by you guys. The no boil recipe is from Rick via Balázs, though it'll be interesting to see how it works with jals. I'll pop the cans open in a month or so and compare. 
 
I do think I over-processed the boil jar, and I had to use some red cider and white vinegar mixed. Brine turned a little cloudy, though I didn't use any iodine salt. We'll see how it goes.
 

 
My first fresh superhot! This is the White Bhut from Judy. Very nice shape, very pleasant looking pod.
 

 
Looks like it cracked due to the heavy moisture we've been having around here.
 

 
Cut it open. Had maybe 4 seeds in it. I ate the slice to the right. Very fragrant, chinense-y taste with no heat at all... at first. Strong hab-like flavor, fruity and sweet. Heat was delayed, but strong. This is my first fresh superhot, and I was impressed. Heat was twice the average hab. At first I thought the pod may not have any heat at all. Once it was there, it held. 
 
Cooked one of these pods and put it in the salsa. Cooking made it sweeter and juicier, and seemed to soften the heat. The other three went into the freezer, as I am thinking about a sauce. Powder would also be a good idea though. Can you dehydrate frozen pods after they're thawed, or do they taste funny?
 
That's all for now. Took up most of Sunday morning! Next round of jals will probably go into candy rings. Soon I'll start super powders and sauces.
 
Thanks for reading, and let me know if you have any suggestions!

 

[stickman]

An excellent first effort Adam... Nice pull too! I can see you're launched for the season, it's just maintaining the altitude , eh?
 
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out to see what you think of the no-boil recipe with the Jalapeno rings. It's actually Balazs' recipe... I just passed it on.
 
I see you left the jal jelly chunky and didn't strain before putting it up. Would that make it jam instead?   Keep up the good work!

 

[Jeff H]

Nice update Adam. Glad to see you are getting harvests large enough to bust out the canning jars.

 

[Devv]

Nice pull Adam!
 
And can't beat the canning!
 
I've frozen and then dehydrated, and used in sauces. No flavor lost here...
 
Gotta watch out for those sleepers

 

[Spicegeist]

Everything is looking very good.  How does the probably chintexle plant grow?  The pure chintexle tends to need a stake to keep it from falling over...
 
Yellow Bhuts are looking good.  They will be delicious.

 

[OCD Chilehead]

Very informative update. Nice pull. Thanks for all the pictures. Going to go back and check it all out again. Thanks Adam

 

[maximumcapsicum]

An excellent first effort Adam... Nice pull too! I can see you're launched for the season, it's just maintaining the altitude , eh?
 
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out to see what you think of the no-boil recipe with the Jalapeno rings. It's actually Balazs' recipe... I just passed it on.
 
I see you left the jal jelly chunky and didn't strain before putting it up. Would that make it jam instead?   Keep up the good work!

 
Thanks Rick! Can't wait to pop the jars open and give them a taste. A couple more weeks to go!
 

Nice update Adam. Glad to see you are getting harvests large enough to bust out the canning jars.

 
Thanks Jeff! Got to decide what I'm going to do with the next round...
 

Nice pull Adam!
 
And can't beat the canning!
 
I've frozen and then dehydrated, and used in sauces. No flavor lost here...
 
Gotta watch out for those sleepers

 
Excellent. May keep using the freezer in the meantime if there's no flavor loss after thawing. Was thinking about powdering a bunch of not-white bhuts.
 

Everything is looking very good.  How does the probably chintexle plant grow?  The pure chintexle tends to need a stake to keep it from falling over...
 
Yellow Bhuts are looking good.  They will be delicious.

 
Hey man! Doesn't need a stake, but it's bushing out huge. Also I think the birds are getting the pods as they mature before I can. Pics incoming.
 

Very informative update. Nice pull. Thanks for all the pictures. Going to go back and check it all out again. Thanks Adam

 
Thanks Chuck! Pictures will keep coming as I have time to update. Hard given the pace of summer.
 
Been a week or so since I updated... been busy around here and it's been raining alot, so garden work has been somewhat difficult. Did get a chance to get down there yesterday.
 

 
Yellow Bhut greeted me with 4 nice ripe pods! 
 

 
MoA was looking thirsty. Actually a bunch of plants were looking thirsty... kind of surprised me because it poured yesterday. Maybe they have become accustomed to the rain...
 

 
Here is the chintexle/barrackpore/chilitepin mystery plant Charles! It's one of the biggest in the plot right now. It needed a stake at plantout but seems to be just fine now. One of the pods turned red so I gave it a bite. Very pungent little, wild-tasting pod, reminded me of a tabasco. Not bad at all, will probably make a good sauce.
 

 
Indian Carbone is hiding some pods...
 

 
Red Bhut has also set some nice pods. They're hiding beneath the canopy pretty well though.
 

 
Here is the pull of ripe pods. I was pretty pleased. The jals are a little mushy... I think they are struggling with the rain. Going to sample them anyway tomorrow. Not-White Bhuts were the best represented. Very neutral chinensy pod with good heat. Smoked powder, powder, or sauce? Got a couple more Not-GW in the dehydrator and more roxa pods for the freezer. And a couple of ripe blondies that I sampled. Most interestingly, I got a ripe Funky Reaper, four ripe white habaneros, and 3 ripe Yellow Bhuts.
 
Armed with a cup of yogurt, I sampled the blondie, white hab, and Funky Reaper. I was going to sample the yellow bhut too but after the reaper I was burned (hah!), so will wait and try that later today or tomorrow. Blondie Round 2 tasted much better. Still a hot, probably cayenne level heat, but very sweet and fruity. I think they're probably strongest fresh, but still thinking about uses for them.
 

 
Here is the white Hab from PepperJoe. Small, about an inch long, and smooth. More cream than white, but that's okay. They ripened very quickly. I think that it edges toward the wild side.
 

 
As you can see it's loaded with seeds. Wonderful floral smell when I cut it open. Quite a lot of freshness for such a small pod. 
 
Popped half the pod in my mouth. Heat was subtle, on the low end for a hab. Amazing, fruity taste, on the sweet side with the typical chinense overtone. Hints of honey. Tons of juice, and a satisfying crunch. I ate the other half (with seeds) and the heat ramped up a bit, but it wasn't overpowering. I think lime juice and a little salt would really bring out the flavor of this little guy. Does not appear to be a good candidate for ferments. After popping the other three in the freezer I moved on to the big boys.
 
And had to stop after this guy:
 

 
This is the first ripe Funky Reaper from Scott. Mean looking little pod.
 

 
Very thin, stiff walls dripping with capsaicin oil. I knew it was going to hurt. Interesting seed arrangement. Opposing seeds off at an angle. Like spikes.
 
I cut about a thumbnail sized piece off the bottom of the pod and popped it in my mouth. The flavor was pungent and direct. A complex cinnamon aroma that lands in the back of the nose. Then the heat was unlike the yellow bhuts that seems to be somewhat delayed, like strong habs, but a more physical, whallopping heat. I think it'll pair very well with some smoke, cherry flavors, or even mole flavors. It may also do well in a ferment of purée assuming I can ever find a recipe I'm excited about. Cumin is promising with this guy as well. 
 
That's all for now. Potential upcoming projects: powders, smoked powders, or sauces. On the fence about whether I want sauces or powders.
 
Thanks!

 

[Spicegeist]

I think I can see the yellow bhuts in there... carbons and red bhuts are looking nice too...