RE: [CH] will rocoto peppers grow in Missouri?
Parkhurst, Scott Contractor (PARKHURS@LEAV-EMH1.ARMY.MIL)
Tue, 28 Sep 1999 15:36:16 -0500
>OK, I've yet to try a rocoto pepper, can't seem to find
>them fresh or dried anywhere around here. I may have to
>try growing them myself, but I'm wondering if it would
>be a losing battle to try to grow them in hot, humid St
>Louis, MO. Thanx for any help.
Just down I-70, just across the state line, I couldn't find
rocotos anywhere and tried growing them this year.
I have 2 started in five gallon buckets, and 3 in the ground.
The buckets have not set any fruit, but 2 of the other 3
have about a half dozen fruit set (total). They are all in
a spot that gets partial shade most of the day. They grow
slow, and from what I've seen/read/heard it is not uncommon
to not get fruit until the second year. I will be overwintering
the plant(s) that are in the best shape for next year. There
should be 3 - 4 weeks before the first frost, so I hope to get
a ripe pepper or two before then.
FWIW, everything I had heard about rocoto seeds said they
can take 100+ days to germinate. My seeds (from AVRDC)
sprouted in about a week.
Scott... (singing) domo arigato, Mr. Rocoto... KCK