PeriPeri's Grow Log 2012: South Africa

Hi All,

So I'll give it another try this year. God knows I love chillies and I would love nothing more than to have a bumper harvest... but I suspect the truth of the matter is I do not have green fingers. In fact, give me a chilli and I will be pretty guaranteed to kill it lol That's not negativity talking, that's reality based on last years experiences lol

Last year it was pots. This year its a farm east of Pretoria, here in South Africa. My reasoning for this madness is pretty much like a hunter hunting with a machine gun... out of the thousand seedlings I plant... I must walk away with something lol (I hope).

So I have a pice of land. Good soil down by a river in the african sun.

The planting area has been divided into two sections. An enclosed area (±40mx40m) with shade netting and an open area (±40mx40m). Water is limited, but there is borehole water.

Outside Area:

Inside Area:

Temps this time of the year are in the mid to high 30ºC. It's the rainy season, so there is rain and it comes in buckets and hail-stones!

So here are the pics I took of the inside and outside areas Saturday 6/10/2012. It was 37ºC that day. I have a video as well which I took last Sunday when I started the planting (to come). Luckily we have a cold front at the moment, so since monday it has been overcast, cool and we have rain (magic). I think its about 23/25ºC at the moment. I planted on Sunday (36ºC) early morning (24/25ºC) and late afternoon and pretty much watered for the rest of the day. Didn't look like rain at all... but it's here and could not have come at a better time really!

As you can see I have laid out the beds in rows. Planting is at 45-60cm intervals. I am doing a little experiment also with double planting and single planting. I suspect the yield will be lower with the bushes that have been double planted... but who knows. A different climate... maybe results will show different.

On the grow list:

Bishops Crown
PeriPeri (naturally)
Hotazel
Hot Pixie
Thaibo
Thai Dragon
Baby Belle
Cal Wonder
Yellow Scorpions
ButchT
Black Pearl
Naga Viper
White Hab
Orange Hab
Brown Hab
Red Hab
Big Jim
Long Thai
Cayenne
Cheyenne
Jalapeno
Carolina Reaper
Serrano
Pasilla Bajio
7 Pod
Bhut Jolokia
Naga King
Scotch Bonnet
Hungarian Sweet Wax
Cherry Bomb
Boriya Mirch
Brain Strain
Ring of Fire

Still to come...

Angkor Sunrise
Devils Tongue White
Barrakpore
Douglah
Jonah
JonahxButchT
Primo
Naga Morich
Infinity
Goronong
Devils Tongue Choc
Hab Choc

One or two other... but I can't remember.

First lot I planted on Sunday 7/10/2012.... details will follow...

Over and out for now!

PeriPeri

 

[PeriPeri]

The burdens of wealth. Lourens, when you pick the peppers do you notice that some varieties come off the plants more easily than others? I wonder if it would be possible to develop a strain amenable to automated harvesting.

The first chilli that comes to mind is the Tabasco. When they turn red, they just drop off the stem when you touch them. The ripe PeriPeri and what I call the large Peri also just pop off the stalk with a slight sideways motion. So I guess that is C.frutescens... cant think of any others... 7 Pods can pop off their stalks when very ripe sometimes... would be nice if they all did that.

Thanks Peri. Very informative. Appreciate that!!!!

One of these days when I get a chance I will need to revisit my blog on this and research again to see if there is any further info Thank you for asking such a great question!

 

[PeriPeri]

Hey Folks!

So I was at the farm last Sunday. Looking very autumnish there... daytime temps are good, but night time temps are now below 10ºc... so a couple more weeks I reckon before we get signs of frost.

This week I will be going to pick what ever I can and also to take out my very special plants and lets see if we can overwinter them this season. This will be my challenge in the next few months... keep a chilli plant alive for three months without killing it. Hmmm... going to need some help here from you potty guys!

Ok, so temps are down and things have slowed a little. Pods are taking their time. But it has been a great run and maybe some of the less special plants will survive - who knows even continue podding through winter. Time will tell. I will spread a little hay around the base of the plants and lets see.

So lets have a look at some pics then...

My two Reapers are still producing plenty. New pods on their way and just not showing any signs of wishing to acknowledge winter. But this weekend I will be putting them in pots and taking them indoors. I don't know when frost is going to hit and I certainly do not wish to loose these two plants. They have been brilliant producers!

All the plants are producing much smaller pods now. It is definately true to say that plants produce bigger pods in hotter weather. It has been very hot this season and some of the pods have been absolute monsters. Sweet memories.... but even the smaller pods are still full of plenty fire power.

The Nagalahs are having a second flush of colour. A nice chilli plant, but when you have a Naga KIng that produces five times more pods that are hotter and IMO hotter... I will keep this one, but next year I will be growing many more Naga Kings for sure.

I am desperately hoping that my White Haba will ripen... it's right there and it just will not go white... ripen damn you, ripen I say! lol I will definately be overwintering this one.

Now this plant was labelled Antilaise Caribbean, but it isn't. I am thinking this looks a bit like a Brazillian Starfish pepper... maybe you guys can assist me here - stickman?

Cherry Bomb... been a steady little producer.

On the other hand, my Brainstrain plants have produced but a small supply of pods for me this season. They took loooong to get going and have not produced many. I may have had bad dna in my Brainstrain plants. I will try and overwinter these two plants and see if maybe a head start won't do the trick for next season.

A Bump please someone

 

[Sanarda]

Beautiful Lourens. Where in Africa can you grow year round since you only have three months of winter?

 

[PeriPeri]

Hi Pia, thanks! I would say most of Africa you could grow year round - especially in the central region (equator). I am situated in South Africa. Not anywhere like America, but quite a large african country. We are situated at the very tip of Africa and have quite a diverse range of climates from coast to coast. There are places here in South Africa - up north towards Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique that would probably see chillies overwinter... and some of our coastal towns situated on the Indian Ocean (East Coast) that would see much warmer winter weather (call it that).

In-land here in Joburg/Pretoria (Called the highveld)... we are about 4000ft above sea level. Our winters here are mild by any standards. Day time temps hover around 20ºc... but it's the night time temps that prevent chillies from growing all year round. Unfortunately the high altitude means our night time temps plummet to as low as -5ºc sometimes and this pretty much kills everything. We also don't get any rain at all during the months of May, June, July, August... so everything just dries out and lookes brown and parched in our winter months. You would look at the countryside and just think, my god... this is dry.... but with the rains in Spetember comes new life, and everything just goes green literally over night!

Winter time is also a spectacular time in that due to the dryness we do get a lot of "veld fires". These are either man made or just occur naturally. But once a fire starts it just burns for kilometres. Its quite spectacular to see and obviously quite an ordeal for people in the path of such fires... but it does keep the firebrigade on their toes and performs a very important task iro the cycle of life. Some natural species of flaura and fauna actually benefit from such veld fires... sorry - bit of a long answer to a short question

Purple Tigers adding much splendour to one corner of the veggie garden!

Red Fatalii still steadily throwing out red pods. A consistent yielder. Might not be my favourite chilli... but a chilli none the less lol

Now this next one I am eagerly anticipating. Lovely plant this. Strong and just loving it... loads of flowers and a real powerhouse of a plant. This is the Jonah x ButchT.... I just can't wait to get these pods up for a traste test. I reckon these babies right here could be the straw that breaks the camels back lol I remember my taste test of the Jonah and the butchT and I am for certain looking forward to a cross between the two. Man, the stinging and the drooling will be sensational - LOVE IT!

Can't Wait for these babies to change colour. They have that Bhut colour... but I believe these are the Scotch Bonnet Peach long. Biiiig pods these, despite the colder weather.... nice!

ButchT I think... also throwing some pretty massive pods. Still emerald green... I am hoping they will turn soon! For any of you who have not had the pleasure of the ButchT... its an experience and lesson in the power of nature. Now people always talk about heat... theres various degrees of ho in my book and the really hot ones are really hot. It's not the heat that matters to me... it's the burn. We are talking the physical properties of what these pods will do to your mouth. So I aways talk about the burn. The Burn of these babies is really surpassed in my log book by only one other (IMO). Anyway, the havoc this chillies plays with nerve endings in anyones mouth is unreal... only way to describe it is like having scorpions stinging you in the mouth. Very, very painful. I have tried this chilli twice and it's major flaw (IMO) is that it does not meet the mark in the taste category. And the most important thing once all is said and done is not the woohoo ride of how hot it is, but I would like to think the taste.... anyway... getting a little carried away here. But maybe, the cross Jonah x ButchT will have that heat and have the flavour that the straight ButchT did not appear to have for me

Hury still out on this plant here. Loads of pods... could be either a White Devil's Tongue or a BhutxYellow Scorp... I am eagerly awaiting the colour change...

Might need another Bump please

Anyone for a bump please

 

[stickman]

Here's a bump brother... lovin' the natural history lesson!

 

[PeriPeri]

Here's a bump brother... lovin' the natural history lesson!

lol Stickman isn't like midnight there in your neck of the woods? Just posted your seeds my friend! Sent it registered this time... lots of things going a miss lately. Stefan sent me tomato seeds and I fear they may have disappeared between the cracks

Bhuts still coming along... looking a bit more like it. My Brown Bhuts turned out a bit strange this season. But having tasted them, I know they are not Brown Habas...

 

[WalkGood]

Love all the pics, they're getting better with every batch which saddens me to hear it's near the end Those reaper shots are great, not many others are producing one’s as true to shape as yours. Them and the Naga’s would certainly be on my OW list, good luck with keeping them safe but I doubt you’ll need it with the skillz you’ve shown they’ll be in great hands ^_^

"here in Joburg/Pretoria (Called the highveld)... we are about 4000ft above sea level. Our winters here are mild by any standards. Day time temps hover around 20ºc... but it's the night time temps that prevent chillies from growing all year round. Unfortunately the high altitude means our night time temps plummet to as low as -5ºc s"

From reading this ^ ^ you should be growing coffee this time of year ^_^

 

[PeriPeri]

Hi Ramon, I'm not sad... hell I can't wait for the final bell to ring and I hope it comes soon lol I am chillied out as they say Thank you... I must say that I have been 100% happy with my Reapers, not sure what everyone is griping about. But I have seen some strange Reaper picture postings and all I can say is that there is clearly a problem, cause they are not Reaper pods lol Anything to do with pots is my downfall... I will need loads of help if I am not to kill them Ramon... of this I am certain. This is why I took to the soil as my attempts at growing chillies in pots was so bad lol

Coffee? Oh my great aunt... !!! No more projects please... I struggle to find time to get it all done already... and now I should grow coffee lol mercy Ramon, mercy!

Douglahs changing colour

A month ago or so I had a breakout of aphids. The Bahamian Goat Peppers were covered. Especially the pods... so I think this may be why the Bahamian Goat peppers don't have tails like I think they are supposed to have. Anyway, sure they will still taste the same.

This was a great find. I think I mentioned earlier that there are two variations of the Naga Morich. I am informed there is a european and indian strain. My Naga Morich that I have been harvesting so far has been the european strain. Much smoother and more teardrop shaped. Well this I believe is the Indian variety... Happy days... much rougher texture to the skin...

That Naga King Jolokia... ok, just don't get me started!

7 Pods have been prolific producers this season. So many pods... man! And each one just leathally hot... Pods have definately been affected by the colder weather. Noticable difference in the pods... all much smaller now.

Hong Kong... producing plenty dark red juicy stunningly tasty pods. Really, this one would be a winner for making Hot Pepper sauce, I think...

Oh and lets not forget them Orange Habas... shhhh! Don't let anyone know I am growing them too

 

[DocNrock]

Crazy update, Lourens! But you have one hell of a grow, too! Really hoping those holdouts ripen up for you before your first frost. Noticed that ladybug on your glove, so good to see you have natural defenses, as well.

 

[RocketMan]

Lourens, man I'm just amazed at your grow and have been loving all of the pics and enjoying your comments. Part of what I love is seeing pods that I haven't seen before and finding ones I want to try growing myself. It may be near EOS (End Of Season) there but thry're still looking great. Hopefully you'll get a mild winter and a lot of them will still be good to grow again next season.

Cheers mate,

 

[PeriPeri]

Crazy update, Lourens! But you have one hell of a grow, too! Really hoping those holdouts ripen up for you before your first frost. Noticed that ladybug on your glove, so good to see you have natural defenses, as well.

Hi Doc, thanks. I can say without a doubt, this season would not have been had it not been for these little ladybug fellas... there were always loads of them around. WHen I dumped the Neem Oil to counter the aphids, I was worried it would take out the ladybugs as well.... but it does not seem to have affected them

Lourens, man I'm just amazed at your grow and have been loving all of the pics and enjoying your comments. Part of what I love is seeing pods that I haven't seen before and finding ones I want to try growing myself. It may be near EOS (End Of Season) there but thry're still looking great. Hopefully you'll get a mild winter and a lot of them will still be good to grow again next season.

Cheers mate,

Hey RocketMan, thank you! I am holding thumbs for a mild winter. I know the milder chillies like the Pimentos, Colifornia Wonders, Jalapenos, Bishops will definately be good to last through winter. But I think the Nagas and 7 Pods will struggle... we will see. I would like to save them all... but there is only so many I can share my house with lol

 

[saugapepper]

Build a plastic hoop house?? That might keep them outside all winter?

 

[PeriPeri]

Does anyone have any suggesstions as to what this is???

Stickman... you must know?

Build a plastic hoop house?? That might keep them outside all winter?

Hi Conor! How are you doing my friend? Thanks for the tip... like tunnels you mean?

How is it going with the seeds I sent? Not going to germinate this season?

Chat soon!

 

[scratchzilla]

Man, if I get a fraction of what you pulled this season, I'll be a happy camper. Way to go!

 

[PeriPeri]

Man, if I get a fraction of what you pulled this season, I'll be a happy camper. Way to go!

Hey Scratchzilla, thanks for dropping in! It has been quite a bit... I was standing in the field on Sunday surrounded by red pods everywhere going... man this is crazy. There were just too many to pick lol Next year I will tone down on the Baby Belle Pimentos, Bishops and Thai varieties... they just go crazy... way too many pods on those!

 

[KiNGDeNNiZ]

Lourens. Plants and plot look excellent. Are you gonna grow them reaper seeds this season just to see if they will be consistent ?! And please do make a video of you eating a bite of the reaper.

Btw love the pod porn

 

[Sawyer]

Fantastic updates, Lourens. Your pods seem to fluoresce in the pictures. BTW, where did you get your Reaper seeds?

Coffee? Oh my great aunt... !!! No more projects please... I struggle to find time to get it all done already... and now I should grow coffee lol mercy Ramon, mercy!

And keep a stable full of civet cats, so you can feed them the coffee beans and sell the poop beans for a gazillion bucks a pound. Or maybe an elephant.

 

[stickman]

Does anyone have any suggesstions as to what this is???

Stickman... you must know?

I dunno Lourens... the closest I could find was on Semillas.de Peter called them "Ecuadoran Sweet"

 

[Devv]

Wow, great update! I know in your heart you're sorry to see the grow end but I also understand the relief you feel, it's a ton of work!

All's I can say is you definitely had a good great year!

And you'll continue to get better.

Time to relax my friend....well soon anyway

 

[PeriPeri]

Lourens. Plants and plot look excellent. Are you gonna grow them reaper seeds this season just to see if they will be consistent ?! And please do make a video of you eating a bite of the reaper.

Btw love the pod porn

Hi KiNGDeNNiZ, thanks for checking things out. It's been a long haul. I have been very lucky with the Reaper this season, but I hear what you are saying. Will need to check seeds harvested will be true. Only time will tell! The video of me trying the Reaper is out there... that is some hot pepper!

I dunno Lourens... the closest I could find was on Semillas.de Peter called them "Ecuadoran Sweet"

Hey Stickman... you see... you always got the answer That looks like it to me. Now how the hell did I end up with these chillies in my patch... and they were supposed to be Antilaise Caribbeans lol Thanks Stickman!

Wow, great update! I know in your heart you're sorry to see the grow end but I also understand the relief you feel, it's a ton of work!

All's I can say is you definitely had a good great year!

And you'll continue to get better.

Time to relax my friend....well soon anyway

Hi Scott, thank you! Yes, you are right... it is coming to an end and I am just exhausted - I do love chillies and once the whole thing comes to a closure, I am sure my good memories will come flooding in. It has been bloody hard work and very exhausting this attempt. But soon it will be time to chill and watch you guys working your butts off lol I will look forward to following all your glogs... whisky in hand... just chilling! I have not had a free weekend in the last couple of months... yay!