Let's talk peppers....

Posted by: BroodBuster

Let's talk peppers.... - 03/09/16 11:02 AM

I'm looking at growing my own peppers this year on the deck in containers. I think I'm good on getting them started indoors but I still need to actually buy some seeds.

I'm interested in jalapeņos for poppers and chipotle. I'd like for these to provide fruit for as long as possible. Something that produces consistantly thru summer/fall would be perfect. And they certainly don't need to be the hottest veriaty. I'd probably prefer a more mild veriaty but I'm not too concerned with that as long as they produce well in a pot.

I'm also interested in chile or cayenne peppers for drying into flakes and chile powder. This I'd just as soon have one big harvest.

So any strains or brand name seeds I should look for and where would I find them?


And what is everyone's favorite peppers to grow, why and what do you do with them?

Any growing tips, especially in containers is also appreciated. My deck faces sw so getting 8-10 hours of full sun is not an issue. It can certainly get hot out there during heat waves but I'll deal with that later.

Thanks smile
Posted by: CedarR

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/11/16 11:00 AM

What I know about peppers: Peter Piper picked a peck of them.

I've grown green and purple bell peppers. Don't know how many bell peppers a plant should produce, but I don't think I ever harvested more than six per plant, and mine were undersized compared to the store bought ones. Our jalapeno plant did well last year. Might have been eighteen peppers on it. The peppers it bore were good sized.

I've always planted started pepper plants, never tried seeds. I've planted peppers in the ground and in pots. No real preference, just remember to water and fertilize regularly. Peppers in our garden are just a novelty item; plant one where there's space remaining. By the time home grown peppers are ready to harvest, the stores and produce stands have plenty, and they are relatively cheap.

Posted by: fishmaster

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/12/16 09:01 AM

I start all my peppers from seed. Currently I have jalapeņos, habaneros, Serrano, and cayenne peppers for the hot peppers and red and yellow sweet peppers. I have one word for successfully growing peppers in the PNW(for me) it's "greenhouse"! I've never had any luck until I bought a small greenhouse. They like well draining warm/hot soil. If you don't have a greenhouse try covering your soil with black plastic. This will not only help with the weeds but will increase the soil temp. My peppers are all grown in pots only for the ease of working with my small greenhouse(4'x6'x6')
Posted by: Snake Pliskin

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/13/16 10:13 AM

I've grown Jalapenos, Serranos, and Habaneros. But love the Jalapenos and last year had 9 plants....8 in a raised bed and another in a pot. Size of plant and peppers were the same. I have great sun exposure and they grow fine, I plant starters about 6". Water once a day by hand, no sprinkler. Give them a couple shots of Miracle Gro early in the season.
Enjoyed them sliced in half, filled with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon barbecued slow...then a little sweet Habanero jelly on top.
Wash them down with a margarita, then repeat.
Posted by: Dan S.

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/13/16 11:02 AM

I grow Serranos, Pablanos, Jelapenos, green bell peppers, and Habaneros. Ants will chew holes in your bell peppers, so watch the little bastards, but they leave the others alone. Serranos and Jelapenos seem to do really well. I routinely wind up with more of both than I can go through. They're pretty easy to hang and dry for use later.

Don't get too anxious - one cold night early in the season won't make your plants happy.

Peppers are one of my favorite things to grow - I wind up eating lots of them straight off the plant.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/13/16 11:24 PM

They need heat. I grew Jalapeno peppers and chocolate peppers last year but we got 10 hours of sun most of the summer, and even still my jalapenos weren't really that hot. The Habaneros did awesome and made for some killer salsa. Good luck peppers are fun to grow!
Posted by: Direct-Drive

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/14/16 04:56 PM

Originally Posted By: stam

Here's an old indian trick, when transplanting young peppers mix about a half a book of paper matches into the dirt in each hole...they like the phosphorous.


Makes the peppers hot, too.

The other Old Indian Trick is to put the TP in the freezer the night before.


smile
Posted by: BroodBuster

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/21/16 11:20 AM

So I was sort of hoping for brand name seeds as I didn't find much local. I ended up buying some jalapeņos and cayenne peppers online. I then found some sorranos and a bell pepper local. Got them started yesterday in those little Solo cocktail cups. I placed them on a seed starting mat in a mini greenhouse, ie. a clear plastic tub. We'll see how it goes. Worst case I'll buy potted plants in June smile.
Posted by: Bucket/Good Sport

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/23/16 07:30 AM

Originally Posted By: stam
Jalepenos thrive when it's warm here, 4 to 6 plants will overrun you with peppers, it seems like they need the heat to generate the heat, my experience says mild summer means mild jalap's hot summer gives you the hot peppers, my current favorite of all favorites are Anaheim's, they grow well and are easy to roast then gut and peel and freeze for use all winter long.
I never mess with planting seeds, just buy a couple of six packs when they come out, no need to put them in the ground until mid to late may, unless you have a greenhouse they will just sit there and look sickly yellow until things warm up anyway.
Have had poor luck with any bell peppers, not sure why ...unless they can tell than I don't really care for them.
Here's an old indian trick, when transplanting young peppers mix about a half a book of paper matches into the dirt in each hole...they like the phosphorous.


I'll try to dig up my old pickled jalapeno recipe and put it up here, used to do 3 to 5 gallons a year and eat them all...

yeah, burnin' ring of fire.
Starting to get the itch to do some garden [Bleeeeep!] myself....just been burned enough times by rushing things that I will continue to be patient and wait for May to roll around.


Please do pickle some peppers--them is good
Always admired your garden success
patient--don't seem like you
Posted by: NickD90

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/23/16 09:00 AM

Wall-o-Water

Check out Wall-o-Waters which are a cheap and easy way to get plants in the ground early. They work great for peppers, tomatos, squash and other started plants. That extra few weeks of growing time can really make the difference. Good luck,
Posted by: Jerry Garcia

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/24/16 05:25 AM

Agree with Bucket about Stam's pickled peppers. Damn fine eats.
Posted by: NOFISH

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/24/16 05:04 PM

Originally Posted By: stam

Now I want some of the pickled garlic cloves that live in the bottom of the jar.

Transplanting garlic tonight.


Second best part of a Bucket boat drink......the pickled garlic at the bottom of the pickled asparagus jar!
Posted by: Bucket/Good Sport

Re: Let's talk peppers.... - 03/26/16 09:13 AM

EVER? Damn Stam, I'll take the compliment and run with it!!
I make good Bloody Mary's cause Art showed me how!!