Pod in a Pod

azguy · Nov 28, 2011

On November 22 I picked an Orange Hab from the garden and left it on the counter because of its unusual shape. Today decided it was time to cut it open and save some seeds. When split open a small pod looking piece fell out. Long story short when looking on the other hemisphere i saw the same thing. It looks like two small pods developing in the Hab. I am hoping someone can enlighten me on what i am looking at. Thanks

Original Photo taken on Nov 22

November 22

Following photos taken today

Dshlogg · Nov 28, 2011

Happens quite often. Sometimes there will be no seeds at all inside and most of the inside will be a pod.

PepperLover · Nov 28, 2011

it happens in many c.chinense peppers mainy 7pod jonah i have seen them alot there

Crusher · Nov 28, 2011

I don't know exactly what causes it, but I can say that I believe it is fairly common with orange habs. My neighbor gave me a bag of them and a few of them had the same shape and inner pod. I've never had it in a store bought hab, but it was like 3 of ten from the ones he gave me.

Matt50680 · Nov 28, 2011

Its an alien! Run for cover! It will destroy you! LOL Actually I have seen this in some of my Trinidad Scorpions and Trinidad Douglahs as well. What it is, I dont know or what causes it. Normally I just chuck that part in the garbage.

That is quite an interesting Orange Habanero though, possibly crossed with something? Almost has a tail to it.

Justaguy · Nov 28, 2011

Eat the little pepper like veal.

redeyeguy · Nov 28, 2011

It's called internal proliferation. I find that it adds a little more heat to the mother pod - two in one bite!

Nova · Nov 28, 2011

Happened about every second pod on my Dorset Naga one year. I dried them out and used them as flavour bombs in soup.

lazienfat · Nov 28, 2011

Justaguy said:
Eat the little pepper like veal.

Yup seen plenty of those but have never actually eaten one.

Nova · Nov 29, 2011

They taste just like the parent pod only juicier.

Pr0digal_son · Nov 29, 2011

Novacastrian said:
They taste just like the parent pod only juicier.

+1 Happens in all types. Not just c.chinense. Very common in bell peppers. I had a cayenne plant that 30% of pods would explode because of this.

azguy · Nov 29, 2011

I would like to thank everyone for their help. It was such a surprise to open a pepper and find two more growing on the inside.

The information I have been able gather over the last six months from being on the board has been priceless. Thanks