Bounty-California Wonder & Tequila Sunrise Peppers 03/30/18

[Kate]

About half are large and bulky looking like that one, and the rest vary mostly between 3-4 inches and the carrot shape they're described as being. I'm going to make roasted onions, peppers and mushrooms tonight, and those will be the peppers I use. I read in several places that they're amazing this way.

[MaryL]

That sounds delicious. 

[Kate]

We love roasted veggies, and make a mix of some kind of veggies at least a couple times a week.

I want to do a quick pickle on some, too. If anyone has a yummy recipe, please let me know!

[MaryL]

This is the basic pickle recipe I use and I play with the spices.  Sometimes I add ginger, cardamom, dried pepper flakes if it’s a mild pepper, etc. You’ll notice there are no measurements for the turmeric and mustard seed at the end. The recipe didn’t call for them, I just added them and didn’t have a measurement. Beware that if adding turmeric it makes for a less attractive brine and pepper, but it tastes really good.

[Kate]

Thanks so much! That looks similar to one my mom had for a fast pickled "whatever". Yummy in my tummy!

[Kate]

The California Wonder has stayed very compact. I might not top it as a juvenile next time. A few decent size peppers and a few small still coloring up. More flowering ongoing. I heavily cut back the Tequila Sunrise again, taking potential peppers with it, as it sets flowers all the time. I've taken three harvests like the first one, and there are a few left, still ripening. Many new peppers have started higher up in the plant. I'd definitely recommend this one. Sweet and crunchy, tasty with stuffings, in salads and roasted. Yummy!

[Shawn]

Look at the color of those ripening peppers.

I can;t believe how low growing you got the Wonders to stay and develop fruit as well.

[Kate]

I topped both at about a month, I think. I've done almost nothing to the CW. I've taken a LOT off the TS, a few times. They're supposed to be about the same size. I selected them specifically for this reason. Clearly, not.

[MaryL]

Well with a name like “Tequila Sunrise” and such prolific production, who can resist?!!!          Will you be adding this to the Highly Recommended list?  (Apologies if you already said)

[Kate]

Aug 11, 2018 20:41:59 GMT -5 MaryL said:

Well with a name like “Tequila Sunrise” and such prolific production, who can resist?!!!          Will you be adding this to the Highly Recommended list!  (Apologies if you already said)

If the TS keeps producing like this time, then yes. The CW has fairly small peppers, at least this time round. I'm not as amused with that one. It's super healthy, however.

[Shawn]

How are these coming along?

[Kate]

It seems I've been living with a murderer, and have been a victim of planticide. Four days ago, at about 9:30pm, as is my habit, I paid my gardens their final visit before the lights go out at 10pm. All was well, all plants happy and healthy. The following morning at 5am, when the lights go back on, to my horror, the California Wonder looked like I'd poured boiling water over it. To say it was wilted, is an understatement. I'd done a water change about 7 days prior, and all levels (pH, TDS), were quite perfect. There had been no significant temperature fluctuation, and there was no evidence of pests, even at 10x magnification. I did another water change and waited 24 hours. No change. I pulled the obviously murdered plant, horrified that I might lose the Tequila Sunrise to the same strange malady. After some reading, it appears this can happen, quite out of the blue. However, within 48 hours of removing the CW, the TS had literally gone from extending about 2/3 across the left side of the machine, to almost to the wall, far beyond the side the CW had previously inhabited. I absolutely believe the TS killed off his housemate, to take over the entire AG. The next day, I discovered that it's COVERED with new peppers of various sizes, and multiple new flowers. It has arched it's branches like the Phoenix, rising from the ashes of it's victim, spreading like the plague. Beware, my friends, beware.



Sorry about my absence. I've been dealing with a terrible cold, that after descending to my chest, has caused several, semi-severe asthma attacks, and breathing was the only thing I could deal with. Tomorrow, I'm going to take a last image of the Fairy Garden, then take it down. I'm just waiting on a couple more flowers to open. It's huge, messy and I'm completely crispy-stick-a-fork-in-in-me, done and over it. I'm ready to plant a pepper plant. Probably another serial killer. Luckily, it will be alone.

[Shawn]

HA, the TS needs to be booked!

Hope you start feeling better sooner then later.

[MaryL]

That is amazing, Kate!  And kinda funny!  These TS seeds are a keeper. A great project.

PS. I hope you’re feeling better.

[Kate]

Covered in fast-growing peppers, and still setting more.  I'd have to turn the machine to get an image of the back, and that sounds too much like work

Look at the difference in just 9 days, from my last post! Wowsah!

[MaryL]

I’ll say!  Have you put this seed on the recommended projects thread?  I’d sure like to remember to grow it when I have the chance.

[Kate]

Buckets of peppers! It's covered with them, and constantly has new flowers. I counted over 30 without rooting around the back. I cut off two yesterday that were ready.

[Shawn]

There are a ton in there.  It looks really good!

[MaryL]

30 peppers?!  Or 30 flowers?