[CH] Re: cross pollination
Dave Anderson (Chilehead@tough-love.com)
Sun, 19 Mar 2000 23:40:08 -0800
> How far apart should different kinds of chiles be planted apart from
> each other to prevent cross pollination ?
This is a good question that periodically gets asked at Chile-heads.
If you are not a member, I suggest that you join and I'm copying
them.
Jim Campbell told me (Deny if you want Jim, but I think the long
term memory is still pretty good:-) that Frank Garcia of GNS
Spices plants his Red Savina Habaneros at least 3 miles away
from any other pepper to prevent cross-pollination.
1. Cross-pollination is only a problem if you intend to save seeds
because the fruits from the seeds you planted should be as
advertised. The seeds from those fruits could be contaminated by
pollen from other varieties by cross-pollination.
2. Cross-pollination will not always take place between different
varieties because they won't always go on a date. ie, C.
Pubescens (Rocoto) will only allow pollination by other C.
Pubescens.
3. The pollinators of Chiles seem to be various insects, bees, ants,
and the wind. Artificial stimulation using fingers, brushes, vibrators,
twister and other things are also occasionally mentioned:-)
4. Most chiles will self pollinate if exposed to a breeze or a daily
shaking.
5. The bottom line is that you probably can't prevent cross-
pollination unless you separate the plants mechanically or by
distance. Seed labs cover the plants with screening and then hand
pollinate them. For an example, check out the massively slow
loading images at Jim Campbell's http://wildpepper.com website. If
you wait till you get to the end, there's an image of me standing
next to a bird pepper at a Jamaican plantation. That sucker was
hot!!!
Your best bet is to not worry about cross-pollination and purchase
your seeds from me annually. Seeds are cheap!!!<G>
Dave Anderson
Tough Love Chile Co.
http://www.tough.love.com