[CH] Re: Scotch Bonnets via Hydroponics
Dave Anderson (Chilehead@tough-love.com)
Sun, 3 Dec 2000 16:58:11 -0800
I'm sorry it's taken a while to reply. I'm copying a few friends who might
also want to conribute some answers to your questions:
> Dear folks,
> I wonder if you might be able to offer some suggestions. I live in
> Colorado and we have a short growing season. After several failed attempts
> at growing Scotch Bonnets outside, I bought a small hydroponic unit and
> placed it in my office at home. I planted ten of your Scotch Bonnet seeds
> in the unit and waited. They got off to a slow start, but now I have to
> fight my way in the office, as the plants are almost seven feet tall and
> have taken over my desk. The stem or trunk of the plants are about the
> diameter of my little finger and are begining to get "woody", almost like
> they are growing a bark. I am happy to say that the fruits are turning
> bright red and are of a shape that is closer to the traditional Scotch
> Bonnet form, than a Habanero. I have been disapointed with the shape and
> taste of other Scotch Bonnet plants that I have bought. The fruits are
> small (less than an inch), with a wide collar at the top and a conical,
> pointy protusion, not convoluted, like the photo on the main page of your
> web site. The ultimate test will be when I make a jerk marinade from them
> and find they have that Scotch Bonnet taste.
While the Jamaicans swore there was a difference it taste, I
couldn't tell the difference. Additionally, I think the so called
"Scotch Bonnet" sauces are made with whatever chiles, Habanero
or Scotch Bonnet are available that day.
> I guess my questions are:
> (1) Have you had any experience growing Scotch Bonnets via hydroponics?
No.
> (2) Any suggestions on how to increase fruit size?
If they are that tall, they probably have been putting more effort into
growing than fruit production. Try pruning them.
> (3) If I trim the plants back (or get a bigger office), can I let them grow
> and harvest another crop from the same plants?
All chiles are perennials. They will continue to grow and produce
fruits until you manage to kill them or they get too old. 4 to 5 years
seems to be the consensus.
> (4) In Jamaica, do they keep the plants for just one harvest, or do they
> let them grow into "trees" and harvest fruits all year long?
The only tree I saw in Jamaica was a bird pepper which was about
8' high. I think there's a picture of me standing next to it at Jim
Campbell's web site. http://www.wildpepper.com. The Jamaicans
told us they are lucky to get two or 3 harvests before virus kills the
plants. The typical C. Chinense growing there were about 3' (1
meter) high.
> (5) As far as the true shape, is cross-pollination still a problem? Can
> you still get seeds that produce the true bonnet shape, or is this getting
> harder and harder?
The researchers in Jamaica were trying to develop a true to type
Scotch Bonnet. They had a couple of pounds of "true" seed in '97.
> (6) Do you envision coming out with a Scotch Bonnet powder?
The powder business has not lived up to expectations. I'll probably
drop the powders when I run out.
> Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciation it.
> mike kunetka.....................
>