Aji Pineapple and Kung Pao (08/18/2017) ** Terminated 03/18

[drbanks]

The date these seeds were planted was August 18, but they actually got moved to the General Hydroponics PowerGrower on 10/08.  This is the same sort of drip system bucket that I have my Meyer Lemon tree in.

Aji Pineapple (Capsicum Baccatum):


The Aji Pineapple is a rare variety that is named after its slightly Pineapple taste. Like other Ajis it is very productive. Peppers ripen from light green to light yellow. They average about 3 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Great for making a medium sauce or salsa.

Type: Capsicum baccatum

Scoville: 15.000 - 30.000 SHU

Flowers: white (May-July)

Plant growth habit: branched, approx. 100 cm in height

Ripening: from green to yellow

Fruit appearance: long, pointed, approx. 2 x 10 cm

Ripening time: 90 days

Origin: South America

[drbanks]

Kung Pao Pepper (Capsicum Annuum):


These long (4-6 inches), thin-walled, skinny peppers are similar in appearance to the cayenne. The Kung Pao Pepper is a fairly recently introduced hybrid with excellent mildly hot flavor and is often used in Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisine. Fruits start out green and ripen to a bright red. This medium-hot Asian hybrid chile pepper can be used green or red, fresh or dried.

Just chop up these versatile peppers, seeds and all and throw into any dish you want to spice up. The flavor is great and the heat is not too intense.

Kung Pao pepper plants are normally fairly low maintenance and can be quite easy to grow.


Height: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Heat (Pungency): Hot (5,000 to 30,000 Scoville Units)

Fruit Shape: Tapered

Fruit Size: Medium (4" to 6" in length)

Fruit Color: Green changing to red

Seed Type: Hybrid

Usage: Fresh (salsa, salads), Drying, Pickling

Water Requirements: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Where to Grow:  This plant is suitable for growing indoors

[drbanks]

The Aji Pineapple is in the front, and almost completely hiding the Kung Pao in this picture, but still,

[drbanks]

The Aji Pineapple was looking a little droopy right after transplantation (like that stem shooting off to the left), but checking in on it this morning, it has perked right up with everything pointing skyward again.

[MaryL]

The description of the flavor of the Aji Pineapple is very intriguing.  I can’t wait for you to give us a review.

[Shawn]

I always wonder if their descriptions will match what we think

[drbanks]

Oct 14, 2017 18:16:38 GMT -5 MaryL said:

The description of the flavor of the Aji Pineapple is very intriguing.  I can’t wait for you to give us a review.

I can't wait, either.  That and the Lemon Drop, which is a pretty similar and closely related pepper.

[drbanks]

Oct 14, 2017 18:47:33 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I always wonder if their descriptions will match what we think

Here's what I usually think:  Hot... HOT... HOT... HOT!!!!  OMG. I'm going to die!  HOT!  {hic} HOT! {hic}

[drbanks]

The Aji Pineapple plant looks remarkably like the Aji Lemon Drop pepper (I suppose not too surprising) and is starting to blossom.  The one thing I can say about both Ajis is that they grow tall and gangly, and probably aren't too happy living in the 2' space provided by a tall Aerogarden.

The Kung Paos are blossoming all over the place, but I've yet to see many set

[drbanks]

Nov 10, 2017 19:22:38 GMT -5 drbanks said:

The Aji Pineapple plant looks remarkably like the Aji Lemon Drop pepper (I suppose not too surprising) and is starting to blossom.  The one thing I can say about both Ajis is that they grow tall and gangly, and probably aren't too happy living in the 2' space provided by a tall Aerogarden.

The Kung Paos are blossoming all over the place, but I've yet to see many set

Although this is 5 total plants, the aji pineapple in the center front towers over everything else

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[MaryL]

That sure is dominant.

[Shawn]

It looks like the wall of peppers ... that will come out and get you when walking by LOL

Looking good and promising

[drbanks]

Looks like it's finally setting a few.


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[drbanks]

Kung Pao

[drbanks]

Aji Pineapple

[drbanks]

The PowerGrower bucket takes 2 gallons of water.  Usually, I can go a week before having to add another gallon, then at two weeks, I dump & refill.

But, even though I just topped it off a few days ago, it was down more than a gallon today, so it looks like I'm going to have to start checking this every couple of days.

As usual, I'm hoping for this to translate into peppers.  Seeing a bunch on both plants.

[drbanks]

[MaryL]

Very interesting shape.

[drbanks]

So, this thing was looking a little rocky tonight.  I last d&r'ed it last weekend, so all I thought I needed to do was top it off with a gallon of water.  Which I did, but the drip ring was bone dry.

I tried several things until I finally removed the airline from the pump and tried blowing in it.  I nearly blew my ear drums out - no movement.  Somehow, the drip assembly managed to get completely clogged, which required me removing it without damaging the plants, taking it to the bathtub and giving it a good scrub, then back to the planter where I tried to dig a whole in the clay pellets to get the thing re-seated.  By the time I did, i noticed it was hung up on one branch of the Aji Pineapple.

I'll worry about that tomorrow.  At least it's dripping again.

[drbanks]

And while I was messing around with all of that, a six inch long, green Kung Pao pepper fell off the plant.  I decided to sample it.

Pretty mild.  I don't know if that's a function of it still being green or if this is a mild pepper.