[CH] keriting-type update (with history)

Parkhurst, Scott Contractor (PARKHURS@LEAV-EMH1.ARMY.MIL)
Tue, 14 Sep 1999 14:51:29 -0500 

Well, here it is, at long-last, the promised update on the chile
I refer to as, (for lack of better information), keriting-type.

HISTORY:
     The seeds were provided by AVRDC.  Control # PBC 367.
No name was provided, but the fruit type was listed as 
"keriting type", which is how I refer to it.  This chile originated
in Sri Lanka.  It appears to be C. annuum.  I had 50% germ-
ination with constant bottom heat of 85 deg.F.

UPDATE:
     I have 2 mature plants in a raised bed garden that are
bearing fruit.  They are the only 2 plants, out of 40+, that set
fruit during the nearly month-long heat wave/dry spell during
July/Aug.  This suggests a tolerance for hot, dry climates.
The plants are nearly identical.  They have white flowers, one
per node, filament non-purple.  They reached a height of almost
six feet.  The fruit averages about 4 inches in length, and starts
out green, then turns dark green before ripening to red.  Once 
the first hint of red shows they go completely ripe in 1 - 3 days.
All fruit has a corkscrew twist to it, some more pronounced 
than others.  I have had fruit curl around each other, and one
curled in a complete loop around the wire of the tomato cage I
used for support, (that particular fruit developed a sort of rotten
spot where it made contact, even after I unwrapped it).

     The main difference is in the fruit thickness.  One plant has 
all thin fruit, not wider than 1/4 inch.  The other has all thick fruit,
1/2 inch thick.  Both fruits come to a point similar to cayennes.
The seeds from the thin fruit are noticeably smaller than those
from the thick fruit.  I asked AVRDC which is more representative 
and they replied:

> Keriting is very long, very thin, and corkscrew in shape, so I 
> would guess the 1/4 inch diameter fruits are more represent-
> ative... PBC 367 is a landrace, which means it is not pure,
> there can be some variation in fruit size, shape, etc.
>
> Regards,
>
> Terry Berke, Ph.D.
> Associate Scientist
> Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center

     The heat is about the same level as a cayenne for both thick
and thin fruits.  The flavor is much more pronounced than a 
cayenne.  The thin ones seem to have a more immediate bite, but
the thick ones tend to have a lingering heat.  The thick ones also
have just a hint of fruit flavor.  I prefer the thick "mutant" ones.
     I have saved seeds from the thick fruit.  I did not net off either
plant, but they were the only ones to flower and set fruit for a time,
so I believe there is a reasonable chance to try and breed them to
get a "true" set of seeds, (which I plan to do).  I realize this may 
take many generations, but I will consider it a labor of love.

Sorry for the delay in this update, as well as the length.

Scott... KCK