Re: [CH] re: Rocotos
Marilyn Reese (plantphreak@hotmail.com)
Mon, 4 Feb 2002 00:02:20 -0800
I'll volunteer for getting seeds from the Southern Hemisphere. I live in
zone 10, and have a very long growing season, so the time of planting isn't
as critical here. I even promise to adhere to strict scientific
practice-I'll label the plants, record planting dates, all that stuff.
Marilyn
~~~~~~~
Huh? I have to say something clever at the end of each e-mail?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sue Callaghan" <scallagh@african-life.co.za>
To: "Chile Heads List (E-mail)" <Chile-Heads@globalgarden.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2002 11:09 PM
Subject: [CH] re: Rocotos
>
> Hi Cameron et al,
> I still have one surviving plant that came either from seed you sent me or
> seed purchased from Dave at Tough Love at least three years ago. It's
> brother/sister died at the start of summer after putting on a good display
> of early flowers (just started dying at the ends of the branches and
within
> a week or two was gone <sniff>). I planted seed kept from last year's
fruit
> which germinated fast and at almost 100% success rate compared to the
> seed sourced from the States. I'd guess that was due to it being as fresh
as
> possible. I now have several new first year plants (4 in pots and 2 in the
> ground).
> Anyway, this rambling intro was just to indicate that I'm willing to
> participate in the N & S hemisphere genetic experiment, so count me in. My
> 'old' plant has only set one fruit so far this Summer due to excessively
> high temperatures, but this seems to normal behaviour for Rocotos here on
> the Highveld of South Africa (in my experience). It's flowering away and
as
> temps fall, more fruit will set I'm sure. Whether I'll get anything off
the
> new plants this season is still debateable - we'll see. I will collect
seed
> from the biggest offerings (some last Summer were golf ball sized) and
will
> post to you (or other designated participants) when they are ready. My
> concern is that by the time my fruit ripens it will be too late for
planting
> in the USA. I could send the seed I have left over from what I collected
> last Summer - it should still be viable as it's only 5 months since I
> planted here. I'm not sure how much I have (I'm at work!) but will donate
> whatever I have to a good cause! Let me have your snail mail addy and I'll
> forward them ASAP.
> On a more general note, this has been my best Summer for years in the
veggie
> garden. The other chiles and sweet peppers are producing like crazy (Jals,
> Red Habs, Serrano, Ancho, New Mex, Cayenne and Thai) and I'm getting the
> most prolific Tomato crop I've ever seen with some absolute giants (one
> weighed over 700g/1.5lbs).
> Cheers from Sue in Sunny SA
>