Pepper Garden 2 (inactive)

[kanewai]

Last round my plants grew well, but the fruits were junk.  I suspect that that was the first indication that I had invisible monster predators (aka mites) in my gardens.  So let's give it another try.

I've planted three pods with three seeds each of three peppers: mirasol, sheeps nose pimento, and Aleppo.  If they all germinate I'll move some of them to pots to only leave three plants in the AG.

I'm using the same pimentos that didn't sprout the last round. I have more on order, from a different company, but they won't arrive for a couple more weeks.  If these don't sprout I'll try them with the new seeds.

[maskedsonnet]

Good luck!! Hopefully the mites don’t return!

[Sher]

Good luck with the peppers.

Before I started Aerogardening, I didn't realize what a difference seed vendors make. I figured a pimento seed was a pimento seed. Now I know some suppliers are better than others.

Oddly enough, I did not like the Aleppos I grew outdoors last year. I grew them from Bonnie's nursery plants, and the taste was disappointing.

[kanewai]

And now I have one of each peppers growing.  If any more sprout I'll move them into pots; I think three is probably the max.

re: Aleppo peppers - the dried peppers taste wonderful, but I've never had them fresh.  

[Sher]

Looking forward to watching them grow!⁰

[kanewai]

I've got three strong peppers growing, one each of Aleppo, mirasol, and sheepsnose.  I'll keep the bugs away from them this time!

[Sher]

They look very happy, kanewai.

I wonder if the yellow sticky traps would keep the bugs off the plants?

I have never used them because I don't want to see the yellow distraction when I admire my plants.

Here's hoping you won't need them!

[kanewai]

Such big peppers plants!  They are covered with flowers, and I've been keeping a fan on during the day to help them pollinate themselves.  From the left: Aleppo, mirasol, and sheepnose pimentos.   They are very thirsty, and I have to refill the basin almost every other day.  Hopefully I'll have fruits soon.

[Sher]

Looking good!

[Shawn]

Looks good. And yes we go through those stages where they wanted to drink water daily. Get ready for peppers.

[kanewai]

81 days on, and I've got some peppers that are getting close!   I have three plants, and the AG is a bit crowded.  I might only plant two next round.

The Aleppo is the biggest plant, and I've had to trim her back a couple times.  The seed packet says they grow 45-60 cm (18-24 in); this one shot out some shoots that were much, much taller.   It is also a very prolific flowerer, though I'm not sure how many will fruit.



Mirasol peppers are supposed to grow upright from the top of the plant. Mine didn't get the memo.  Maybe it cross-pollinated with the Aleppo?



The sheepnose grew slower than the other two monsters, and I've had to trim a lot of the others' leaves to the sheepnose could get some light.  It's just starting to flower, and there are a few fruits already.

[maskedsonnet]

They're looking good! Having peppers close to picking-time is always exciting!

[Sher]

That really is exciting!  Peppers take  while, but when they fruit, it is so worthwhile!

Be sure to give us a taste review.

[Shawn]

Nice looking peppers!

[kanewai]

I thought I closed out this thread - I guess not.

I was out of town for six weeks in September and October, so I knew that this garden had a time limit.   I harvested everything at the end of August, and planted the plants outside.  They never had a chance in my yard (sandy soil, no sun) and I knew that.

All my gardens are full now, so I don't have room for peppers (unless I buy another garden), but I do intend to plant them again.  I'm not sure which ones, though.

On to the show:

Sheepsnose pimento

The slowest grower, this guy was crowded out by the other two and didn't produce as many peppers.  They tasted great, though.  As one would ripen I would stuff some goat cheese in it & eat it then and there.   If I could grow pimentos in quantity I would!



Aleppo

These produced a nice, spicy fruit with thin flesh.  I mostly used them as a condiment - I would mince a little bit to use in a dish to add some heat at the end.  I tried cooking with them, but they didn't add anything that dried chiles from the store would have added.   I would plant these again.




Mirasol

I'm not even convinced these were "mirasol" - there seems to be a lot of ambiguity in the naming of chiles.   This plant was a bit big for the AG. The fruits were also much bigger than the other two.  I dried some of them, and I liked the taste.  I think I liked them better dried than fresh.

[Sher]

I would love to have the space to keep a constant supply of peppers growing.

I think I would love your Sheepsnose and Mirasol.

[Shawn]

All look great!  What are you planting next

[kanewai]

Nov 13, 2021 8:12:18 GMT -5 Shawn said:

All look great!  What are you planting next

I don't know yet.  Right now all my units are occupied with herbs and flowers.  I think I'd like to try Aleppo again plus one or two new hot peppers.   I loved the pimento, I just wished it had produced more.