glog Scottish 2025 "Outdoor" Capsicum pubescens trial

Hi Guy's

My new Capsicum pubescens "Outdoor Scottish" trial has began seeds sown today in commercial seed mix topped with vermiculite in heated propergater.

Having to grow hot and superhots in a Greenhouse here in Scotland space is at a premium so personally I won't "waste" space on mild species such as pubescens however anything hottish that will grow outdoors I see as a free bonus however my journey into Rocotos has surprised me by how fond I've become of them they are truly one of the most beautiful chilli species you can grow if you haven't I'd highly recommend one or two as a side project but be warned they are highly addictive and rather tasty not to mention having a different burn making them seem hotter than they are on paper IMO

The objective of this trial is the same as last time find varieties that can ripen outdoors in Scotland a tall order for most !

My last "Outdoor Scottish" Rocoto trial was back in 2023 comprised of 7 varieties and only 1 came out on top ! The rest while production may have been ok or good they simply ran out of time to ripen outdoors in our climate

The Winner of my 2023 Outdoor Scottish capsicum pubescens trial "Rocoto Long" from seaspring seeds (Dorset Naga people) Please note captured in this rare photograph is the elusive Scottish summer sun

Recap of 2023 trial:

1. Chocolate locoto - Realseeds
2. Alberto Locoto - Realseeds
3. Yellow traveller - Realseeds
4. Rocoto Long - Seaspring seeds
5. Turbo pubes - Semillas
6. Costa Rican red - Semillas
7. Aji Largo- ukchilli

Seaspring seeds Rocoto Long came out on top it is extremely similar to Aji Largo and I suspect a selection of this variety but it did way better than my Aji Largo......

Now back to my 2025 Scottish "Outdoor" Capsicum pubescens trial:

1. Rocoto Long - self saved
2. Rocoto Montufar - Semillas
3. Rocoto Peron - Fatallii seeds
4. Rocoto CAP 363 - Fatallii seeds
5. Rocoto CAP 867- Fatallii seeds

Only five runners this time of course one is a known entity and my current favourite so really only four contenders.

Apparently the Rocoto Peron is about as hot as is readily available to the enthusiast ? The two CAPs 363 and 867 apparently do well or better that other Rocoto in cooler climates ? That's see how they deal with Scottish summer to be honest I can't quite remember why I added Rocoto Montufar to this grow ? But I must have had a reason when I ordered them.

Like last time once potted up to there final pots I will pretty much neglect them survival of the fittest kind of thing

However this coming season I'm toying with trying a Rocoto long outdoors in a kratky hydroponic set up .........I've toyed with the idea before but felt keeping all our rain from flooding the set up would be a bit of a faff but I moved a 20 litre Krakty Ring of fire set up out of the greenhouse mid summer this year and without any special precautions the plants own foliage did a remarkable job.

So I see a kratky hydroponic Rocoto long in the mix too

Merry Christmas and a fruitful Rocoto season to you all

Stephen

 

[Englander]

Hi Guy's

A quick update.............

I'd expected my Rocoto Long to be the first to flower to date I've found it the earliest.............

But no ! The Rocoto CAP 867 has pipped it to the post ! could prove to be an interesting Rocoto season

The beauty of the Rocoto flower never fails to impress and please

 

[Englander]

Hi Guy's

I like to keep notes and record Information as I've found in the past the mind can play tricks on you !

Example: one trout season I was asked what was my "best" trout fly ? the fly that had caught the most fish through the season...........

I replied to the question with the name of the fly that was responsible

Returning home I went through my fly fishing notes as I recorded every trout and what fly caught, on a plastic waterproof slate that season.........to my shock ! it was a very humble and completely different fly that had taken the most fish !

The fly I'd originally named had been responsible for a couple of very memorable days but no were near as deadly as I'd remembered........ lesson learned record Information it may or may not come in handy later on but if you don't record it you can't refer to it at a later date.

In this vain the notion came apon me today to record the number of "fully" formed (Y's) on each plant and any other information that might be important in the future.

25.04.25 Number of Fully Formed Forks or "Y's" on each Rocoto

CAP 363 2 litre soil x 3
CAP 363 5 litre soil x 1
Long 5 litre kratky x 6 - plus buds about to open
Montufar 5 litre kratky x 6
Montufar 10 litre soil x 4
Cap 867 10 litre soil x 6 - plus two open flower's
Peron 5 litre soil x 7
Peron 5 litre kratky x 7

To date I have found the Rocoto Long from sea spring seeds to be the earliest to flower and the best to ripen outside in a Scottish summer.

I'm surprised the cap 867 has two open flower's already !

I'm amazed that the Rocoto Peron has the most "Y"'s as their probably the shortest and most compact.

What's does this all mean ?? Who knows but at least I have the Info to look back on.

On a side note the first green fly of the season were found today on my smallest Rocoto cap 363 and quickly dispatched ! There was a tiny spider on the plant too he remains unharmed I checked every plant no other's seen time to mix up some neem oil spray ...........