glog Scottish 2025 "Outdoor" Capsicum pubescens trial

NJChilehead · Dec 18, 2024

Englander said:
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

Good luck with them-I'm looking forward to seeing how these do for you this year!

Englander · Jan 12, 2025

Hi Guy's

As I've said before my capsicum pubescens grow is always a side line to my superhots. I grow them outside in Scotland

I see them as a free bonus and not a priority.

My 2025 seedlings

Rocoto 363 x2
Rocoto long x2
Rocoto Peron x 2 (one weaker)
Rocoto Montufar x1
Rocoto 867 x1

I could of course re sow more of each variety............but like I said this is a side line and I'm not that bothered I will go with what I have.

I currently have two Rocoto long plant's over wintering the first time I've over wintered capsicum pubescens

I'm a huge fan of Rocoto long a seaspring seeds variety but you never know.......actually.......I'm getting excited

HerbCasa · Jan 12, 2025

I will be watching out of the corner of my eyes

I haven't tried growing or even tasted a pubes pepper.
Maybe something will get me interested in growing some in the future.

Englander · Feb 3, 2025

Hi Guy's

Thought it was about time I updated ....................

Currently I have 3 Rocoto long plant's that so far seemed to have survived winter

but it's not over yet

As you can see from the photo I've culled the smaller Rocoto Peron ..........and the Rocoto cap 867 is a beast !

Another lesson learned I pricked out the first two "best" seedlings and potted them up however the Cap 867 was left in the original seed cell and has progressed far faster.

Note to self : Minimise root disturbance as much as possible untill at least the second true leaves appear.
Next season I might use smaller cells and sow individually in each rather than 5 or 6 seeds in each to reduce root disturbance.

A handsome little fella indeed

It's already "forked"

and given the root growth I shall be forced to pot up very soon !

On another note I've just learnt the Cap 867 also comes in Red ! Which I'm assuming would be hotter.......

I know I said I wouldn't .........

but I have resown a few of each variety which I'll be more careful with...............

This season I'm planning on trying a Rocoto in a hanging basket along with a small kratky experiment.

Pot wise I have some lovely 40 litre pot's but given our short cold wet season I reckon I'm thinking with sticking to 10 litre as a maximum possible 15 litre maximum no bigger.

There's still plenty of time if you're never grown a Capsicum pubescens variety get some sown

Englander · Feb 3, 2025

Hi Guy's

This is the first year I've over wintered Rocotos all three Rocoto Long the smaller was late sown and did not fruit as an experiment. The other two were originally in 15 litre and 40 litre pots pruned hard in both branch and root and "down potted " compost with plenty of perlite for drainage.

And the baby of the three...........

Be very interesting to see how they do in their second year......

Doctor Scoville · Feb 4, 2025

looking good. i've sown 4 types of rocoto's last saterday. Hope they will become as nice as yours.

horns · Feb 9, 2025

Since you are in scotland, what do you think of
redroc rocoto?

Englander · Feb 10, 2025

I hadn't heard of that one :thumbsup:

For me so far Rocoto Long from seaspring seeds has performed best for me I suspect it's a selection of Aji Largo which was pretty good too

Englander · Feb 15, 2025

Hi Guy's

A few developments with my Rocoto's.............

As you know I ended up resowing more Rocoto's

although my Cap 363, Cap 867 failed !

However...............

A brace of Rocoto Peron they are apparently about the hottest available to the hobbyist approx 100,000 shu and if you Google image them probably the roundist Rocoto almost tomatoe like in appearance.

Plenty of Montufar PI 585273 to play with

In addition to these from my original sowing I have :

Rocoto CAP 867 x 1
Rocoto long x2
Rocoto CAP 363 x2
Rocoto Montufar x 1
Rocoto Peron x 1

Rocoto Long in 7cm pot original sowing

Rocoto CAP 363 7cm pot original sowing

Rocoto Peron 7cm pot original sowing

Rocoto Montufar PI 585273 9cm pot original sowing

Rocoto cap 867 11cm pot original sowing or " the beast" as I now call it

My other Rocoto Long original sowing which I "Kratkyified" this morning it's going to be an outdoor kratky experiment. Given I found Rocoto Long the first to fruit outdoors in my last trial currently I'm planning it as my only outdoor kratky but I might try other's as outside I've plenty of room.

My three over wintered Rocoto Long are still in the same pot's there's alot of our winter still left so the staus quo will remain for the time being there's in the coolest room a few feet from the window.

I'm currently undecided as to which to try in hanging baskets............

These dang Rocoto's really get under your skin .....

Englander · Mar 6, 2025

Hi Guy's

Quick update on my Rocoto's..............there is a blue sky today with a large golden orb in it

.......Googled it apparently it's called the Sun :think:

Haven't seen it for ages

My kratky Rocoto Long has seemed to acclimatise well to the change over ..........

Root's coming along nicely after the transition currently in a 5 litre bucket but it reckon it will end up in 20 litre bucket I don't want to go any bigger due to our short growing season and there long slow growing season.

Of my three over wintered Rocoto Long plant's the younger has simply dropped dead for know apparent reason ? Currently the other two are fine

My only Rocoto cap 867 has forked and started to bud !

Coming along nicely

My second Rocoto Montufar

One of my Rocoto Perons I have high hope's......

My second Rocoto Peron and my third Rocoto Montufar

Both my Rocoto cap 363

All my Rocoto's are now outside "in" the greenhouse under my homemade fleece tent night temps have been around 6 oC to 9 oC mostly 7 oC and daytime highs of 12oC to 25 oC mostly 18 oC/20oC

Englander · Mar 9, 2025

Hi Guy's

Decided today to convert another two varieties to Kratky for this season never tried outdoor Rocoto kratky before and I've more room outside than I do in the greenhouse so what the heck

Great thing with kratky is I can start these 3" net pots in these small jars and move them at a later date to 5 litre, 10 litre, 20 litre or what ever currently these jars simply save space

Just noticed the spelling on my Montufar

Going to be an interesting Rocoto year Kratky and hanging baskets and over wintered for the first time

and 4 new varieties

Englander · Mar 27, 2025

Hi Guy's

Weather's been kind last week or so night time lows in the Greenhouse have been 2.5oC to 9.8 oC but mostly 6oC/7oC bright shine

and day time highs of mid 20's

All my Rocotos have been out in the greenhouse now for a number of weeks so far this March inside the greenhouse the temperature has only dropped below zero 5 time's

and my horticultural fleece has prevented any damaged not that ove used it this week at all

The Blackthorn and Hawthorn bushes have produced leaf buds the wild garlic is growing like weeds ! Feels like spring is in the air. We seem far more advanced than this time last year which was very cloudy and dull finger crossed a sign of things to come

Carried out a wee Rocoto Inventory yesterday................

Rocoto Long 3" net pot in 5 litre kratky
Rocoto Peron 3" net pot in 5 litre kratky
Rocoto Montufar 3" net pot 5 litre kratky
Rocoto CAP 867 2 litre soil
Rocoto Montufar 2 litre soil
Rocoto CAP 363 11cm/ 1 litre soil
Rocoto Peron 11cm/1 litre soil
Rocoto CAP 363 9cm soil
Over wintered Rocoto Long 2 litre soil
Over wintered Rocoto Long 2 litre soil ....not looking very happy

Quite excited to see how the kratky Rocotos do outdoors compared to the soil......

ahayastani · Mar 27, 2025

What plant do you mean with "wild garlic"? Allium ursinum? I used to eat the leafs of that plant, very good in an early spring salad.

Englander · Mar 27, 2025

ahayastani said:
What plant do you mean with "wild garlic"? Allium ursinum? I used to eat the leafs of that plant, very good in an early spring salad.

Yes "Wild garlic" I live next to a spate River, Salmon and Brown trout

I cycle along the river bank to get to work the smell becomes over powering !

But very tasty in a stir fry or indeed salad

but no body seems to use it locally

there's tons of the stuff

SatanicFlatIron · Mar 27, 2025

ahayastani said:
"wild garlic"? Allium ursinum

lol just today I saw this leaf sprout from my mini garden... I had transplanted it from the woods last May, but it didn't last long since it needs a lot of humidity... my shady garden seems like a suitable place

I use it to make pesto, or a dip for potatoes

Hey Englander, you also have to try if you have that much available

P.S. I also collect 3 or 4 other types of wild garlic, but I think they are local...

NJChilehead · Mar 28, 2025

Englander said:
Hi Guy's

Weather's been kind last week or so night time lows in the Greenhouse have been 2.5oC to 9.8 oC but mostly 6oC/7oC bright shine and day time highs of mid 20's

All my Rocotos have been out in the greenhouse now for a number of weeks so far this March inside the greenhouse the temperature has only dropped below zero 5 time's and my horticultural fleece has prevented any damaged not that ove used it this week at all

The Blackthorn and Hawthorn bushes have produced leaf buds the wild garlic is growing like weeds ! Feels like spring is in the air. We seem far more advanced than this time last year which was very cloudy and dull finger crossed a sign of things to come

Carried out a wee Rocoto Inventory yesterday................

Rocoto Long 3" net pot in 5 litre kratky
Rocoto Peron 3" net pot in 5 litre kratky
Rocoto Montufar 3" net pot 5 litre kratky
Rocoto CAP 867 2 litre soil
Rocoto Montufar 2 litre soil
Rocoto CAP 363 11cm/ 1 litre soil
Rocoto Peron 11cm/1 litre soil
Rocoto CAP 363 9cm soil
Over wintered Rocoto Long 2 litre soil
Over wintered Rocoto Long 2 litre soil ....not looking very happy

Quite excited to see how the kratky Rocotos do outdoors compared to the soil......

Nice list!

Englander · Monday at 12:04 PM

Hi Guy's

Approx a month since my last photo update all the Rocotos have been in the greenhouse for more 6 to 8 weeks.

Currently we've been blessed with good weather and lots of sunshine every day

Greenhouse temperatures the last two weeks .......lows at night 4 oC to 8oC and daytime highs 18oC to 28oC mostly 25 oC

The plan is to keep them in the greenhouse as long as possible and move them outside " when" I run out of room.

Potted up a few yesterday..............

Love this plant always been big and strong

but sadly the only one I have now in a 5 litre pot.

Lovely plant seems very vigorous again currently in a 5 litre pot.

I've high hope's for the Peron now in a 3 litre pot.

The Rocoto CAP 363 I've two both have been feeble compared to rest

3 litre pot

The second...........2 litre pot

My second smaller Rocoto Montufar 2 litre pot

I've only one over wintered Rocoto Long left it's looking a bit scraggly but hopefully it will come on 5 litre pot .

Peron in 5 litre kratky..........

The roots are coming on slowly but surely.....I love the air roots

The roots on this little fella aren't as developed.....yet

My current favourite Rocoto for the Scottish climate the Rocoto Long

Roots coming on nicely :dance:

My first season trying Rocotos in kratky hydroponics..........

Englander · Monday at 12:27 PM

Hi Guy's

Quick pic of our wild garlic the river bank is carpeted in the stuff and in flower and producing bubils. You will note how long and thin the leaves are some 10 " !

Boy is this stuff prolific !

Flowers and bubils............the bubils fall off and root like crazy !

Nice mild garlic flavour very pleasant excellent chopped up and mixed into egg mayo on toast

and it's free all you can eat

Nobody locally seems to know what it is or eat it !

SatanicFlatIron · 2025-04-08T07:04:22-0400

it looks like a wild garlic different from ours, it could be (source):

Allium paradoxum, the few-flowered garlic or few-flowered leek, is an Asian species of wild onion in the Amaryllis family. It is native to mountainous regions of Iran, Caucasus, and Turkmenistan and invasive in Europe.