Rocoto relleno: de la semilla a la mesa

I recently received a most generous gift of seeds from our friend CaneDog.  Thanks CaneDog!  Included were some Rocoto Arequipa Giant Red seeds which I now have in my little germinator.  I mean to grow some nice large pods and cook up some Rocoto relleno; this glog will document the process, the ups and downs, and will end with my ultimate success or failure in the attempt.  This photo is my inspiration at the start.  It looks absolutely delicious and I hope to produce something similar in the end.  I will be looking for and mulling over ideas for recipes for the stuffed peppers themselves, accompaniments, and general information on Peruvian cooking and cuisine along the way.
 

 
 
The plan is to provide the plant a swing in temperatures between day and night as I am able by moving it inside and outside - I'd bring it in for cool air-conditioned nights in the summer and take it outside to spend the night in the chillier months.  I've had good results overall with Kratky and can't remember having seen any Kratky pubes, so I'll be going with a jar for this.  I picked up this 135oz pickling jar a couple days ago.  Next steps will be removing the wire, painting the jar black, and 3D printing an adapter collar to fit the net cup to the jar.
 

 
 
Here's the model of the jar collar.  I'll have the printed object soon.  I can have these made iteratively as necessary to dial in the fit, but I have high hopes for the first one.
 

  
 
 
 
Any and all comments or criticisms are very welcome and I thank you all most warmly for having me and schooling me and reading my noodlings!

 

[Uncle Eckley]

This one was made from a different brand of material, so printed just a bit differently. Came out a hair too big.  Got time so will try again for a perfect just barely interfering fit. 
 

 
 

 

[CaneDog]

Hey E.  What's the purpose of the collar?  I know it's a fit thing, but are you stepping up or down the circumference of the opening, or...?
 
It looks pretty slick now that it's color-matching.

 

[Uncle Eckley]

Hey E.  What's the purpose of the collar?  I know it's a fit thing, but are you stepping up or down the circumference of the opening, or...?
 
It looks pretty slick now that it's color-matching.

 
The diameter of the mouth of the jar falls between net cup sizes.  The net cups I already have fall into the jar.  Next size up is too big. 
 
Thanks!  

 

[stettoman]

Hey Unc, what brand/type of paint did you use on that big jar? There are some outrageous formulations out there anymore...

 

[Uncle Eckley]

Rust-oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover

 

[stettoman]

Rust-oleum Painter's Touch 2X Ultra Cover

I'll have to check that out. It has a clad look to it. Do you know the solvent base?

 

[Uncle Eckley]

Here you go.  Product sheet
 
It was easy enough to use. Two coats. 

 

[CaneDog]

Thanks guys.  I was just looking at this in the garage cabinets today and wondering how well it would stick on a 2-liter Ball jar.  Been back and forth on whether to start a Kratky rocoto. 
 
Fair warning E, I'll be picking your brain if I do.
 

 

[Mr.joe]

I figure it will stick as well as any other paint. I say go for it. Give it a couple coats

 

[Uncle Eckley]

Thanks guys.  I was just looking at this in the garage cabinets today and wondering how well it would stick on a 2-liter Ball jar.  Been back and forth on whether to start a Kratky rocoto. 
 
Fair warning E, I'll be picking your brain if I do.
 

20200107 Rusto.jpg

 
That's the stuff! 
 
You are welcome to, of course, but I have no secrets. Light, water, nutrients. 

 

[PtMD989]

And access to a 3D printer [emoji16][emoji106].


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stettoman]

Here you go.  Product sheet
 
It was easy enough to use. Two coats. 

 
Interesting MSDS. They used to be many pages long, at least the materials I worked with.
 
Nice cocktail of base solvents, too. Rustoleum has entered the "menu" market, kinda like hot sauce...Rattlecan technology was at one time a one-trick pony....Then came the "thanes" & "ols".
 
You and Skull Biker and Int'l Fish and a number of others here have me interested in the Kratky, if only to "try" it. What about the old steel 5 gallon milk cans?
 
And what pepper to plant in one?

 

[Uncle Eckley]

What about the old steel 5 gallon milk cans?
 
And what pepper to plant in one?

 
Dunno.. Are they stainless?
 
Always a tough decision. 

 

[stettoman]

 
Dunno.. Are they stainless?
 
Always a tough decision. 

 
Well, they were used for milk, weren't they...Of course these were older, so there's a dusting of rust here & there, but they were obviously food grade at one time....Mebbe those Limo X seeds you sent me.  

 

[Uncle Eckley]

Well, they were used for milk, weren't they...Of course these were older, so there's a dusting of rust here & there, but they were obviously food grade at one time....Mebbe those Limo X seeds you sent me.

Give it a shot!

 

[PaulG]

You and Skull Biker and Int'l Fish and a number of others here have me interested in the Kratky, What about the old steel 5 gallon milk cans?

 
A 5-gallon Kratky would produce a giant plant!

 

[Uncle Eckley]

A 5-gallon Kratky would produce a giant plant!

I did several in buckets last year, only four or five this year and will be doing a couple things differently. I guess I should start my 2020 glog soon.. Been trying to avoid having three going at once..

 

[PaulG]

Indeed  

 

[Uncle Eckley]

Movin' on up! 

 
 
Germ testing my first ever saved seeds, too, btw.  Found a radicle this afternoon! 

 

[CaneDog]

Movin' on up! 

 
To the east side of your grow room?    That sprout is looking stout, E.  Can't wait to see it take off.
 
All my Kratky gear is ready to go except for rockwool cubes, which are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.  Thinking more and more I'll be giving this a go.
 
And hey, I stumbled across a few pictures of your last year's grow today while searching for an unrelated post.  You really had some great looking plants going on the deck.  I'm counting on more of that eye candy again this season!