I want to grow some hot peppers but not sure which

lakelady · October 14, 2011

Last year I had a great Habanero plant that was hugely productive (no idea which variety) and I didn't save seeds. Likely it was a hybrid. Next year, I'd like to have a couple of pepper plants (hot spicy types, but not burn the roof off your mouth hot). I tried searching on the web, and it's overwhelming.

Does anyone recommend a variety or two good for the home grower to get started with hot peppers? I've grown Jalepenos and Cayennes too, but think I'd like a Habanero type or something pretty and ornamental yet edible. I would probably have 6-8 plants next year. Thanks!

RayR · October 15, 2011

I grew Mirasol Peppers for the first time this year. They are supposed to be similar in heat to Jalapeno, but these were hotter than any Jalapeno I'd ever grown. Actually my Early Jalapenos didn't turn out so "hot" this year and nowhere near as productive as Mirasol.
I was first impressed at how fast the Mirasol plants grew and flowered. At first I was only going to grow one plant in a container to try it out, but I had extra seedlings sulking and root bound in their cells in early July, so ended up planting them late in ground where I had free space after I harvested some lettuce and even they grew like crazy and produced a bunch of nice peppers. Will definitely grow them again since they are tasty and seem to do very well here up North. Very attractive plant too.

This is what they look like, this is my plant in the container in mid-August. The leaf damage was from a couple of horn worms, the foliage was more lush before. They get about 2ft tall or more and each branch can have a cluster of 6-12 peppers. This plant had 8 branches on it

Boutique Tomatoes · October 15, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelady

Last year I had a great Habanero plant that was hugely productive (no idea which variety) and I didn't save seeds. Likely it was a hybrid. Next year, I'd like to have a couple of pepper plants (hot spicy types, but not burn the roof off your mouth hot). I tried searching on the web, and it's overwhelming.

Does anyone recommend a variety or two good for the home grower to get started with hot peppers? I've grown Jalepenos and Cayennes too, but think I'd like a Habanero type or something pretty and ornamental yet edible. I would probably have 6-8 plants next year. Thanks!

The Caribbean Red Habanero is hugely productive, very flavorful while it is by no means a superhot variety it's still a good hot habanero. I grow a lot of them and use them as the base in one of my hot sauces instead of tomatoes or fruit where the idea is to get a pure pepper flavor.

Another option would be one of the Trinidad Congo varieties, I'd suggest the yellow. They're a very large habanero type that is extremely productive with that same kind of heat level.

If you like I can toss some of each in your envelope.

RayR · October 15, 2011

I thought the Caribbean Red Habanero was supposed to be REALLY REALLY HOT. At least according to Chileman.org. Is this the same one?

Boutique Tomatoes · October 15, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayR

I thought the Caribbean Red Habanero was supposed to be REALLY REALLY HOT. At least according to Chileman.org. Is this the same one?

Yes, I don't think of them as that hot though, I think they're comparible to any of the good habanero varieties and she said she'd had a hab plant she liked last year.

However, since a lot of the ones I grow probably go over a million on the Scoville scale my opinion may be skewed.

lurley · October 15, 2011

Lemon drop and bird peppers are fairly hot and pretty too. Bird is a more compact plant, might be good in a pot.

Sent from my X10a using Tapatalk

tjg911 · October 15, 2011

i too was going to recommend lemon drop, they are supposed to be 80-100k SHU. nice flavor but not too hot if you can eat hot peppers.

and anyone that thinks jalapenos or tabasco hot sauce are hot can't eat hot peppers just use that as a guide. HOWEVER, it is very important to point out that what is not hot to me may be very hot to you.

now you say you grew a habanero but there are many kinds. i grew a "scotch bonnet" that turned out to be an orange habanero. some peppers were pretty mild and some had heat but none were all that hot... to me.

red carribean i tried this year thanks to mark and it is pretty hot, not a super hot but it's not for a novice. i loved it, good heat and a really great flavor and it may well be my favorite so far but i need another taste and have a few more super hots to try.

i was going to recommend long red slim cayenne, they are pretty hot for 50k SHU.

and SHU are a general guide not cast in stone.

tom

Fusion_power · October 15, 2011

You need a few out of the box thinkers.

The above suggestions will get you some decent peppers but nothing really spectacular. Here are a few that have some Pizzazz.

Chapeau de Frade aka Bishop's Hat = This truly bell shaped pepper has nice pungency near the seed but also enjoys outstanding flavor. You can cut the lobes off of the bell and have superb flavor with no heat or you can cut the entire pepper off of the seed and have superb flavor with lots of heat.

Tobago Seasoning - This is a no heat high flavor seasoning pepper. Production is outstanding. I don't like to eat these fresh, the flavor is too intense, but if you want something to really wake up the pepper flavors without adding heat, this is a really good choice.

Chocolate Habanero - This one is way up the heat scale. If you want a combination of chinense flavor with very high heat, this one is hard to beat.

Super Chili - Yes it is a hybrid, but so what, it is one of the very best peppers around for making hot sauce. They are 2 to 3 inches long, about 3/8 inch diameter at the stem end, and darn near as pretty for an ornamental as they are useful to eat. Did I say that they are also outstanding chili making peppers?

Purple Robe - This one is superbly ornamental and also produces a very pretty strawberry shaped pepper. You can use it to heat up a pot of soup or to season some spicy mexican food. It is hot enough to make you think twice before biting into it, but not so hot that you have to call the fire truck to hose you down.

One note I should add is that most of the chinense peppers (Chocolate Habanero) are relatively long season. Chapeau de Frade (C. Baccatum) for example needs about 7 months to grow and produce a crop. Start seed indoors about 2 weeks before you start your tomatoes and set them outside after last frost date.

I got a huge crop from my peppers this year by doing some extra work preparing the soil. I tilled in a bale of alfalfa hay and a bale of peat moss and a cubic yard of manure into an area about 10 feet wide by 30 feet long. The pepper plants are 5 feet tall and look like they will keep producing until frost.
DarJones

roper2008 · October 15, 2011

I would suggest Lemon Drop too. Nice hot pepper, and very productive.

lakelady · October 16, 2011

Wow those are great responses, thanks guys! I have always picked up a jalepeno (love em) plant (hybrid whatever) and this year I took the cayenne plant into the house in a pot (its wilted, but still has almost a dozen peppers on it). I'd probably like to try 4-6 different hot peppers next year to see what I like. I do like spicy foods, Indian, Chinese, Carribean, I just can't eat some of those superhots whole like a friend of mine does!

I'll look all these up and check them out. I tried just looking for "hot peppers" and became overwhelmed with so many different choices. Thanks for making it easier for me

Mark, if you have a few to spare and you can send them along, that would be great, thanks!

Boutique Tomatoes · October 16, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelady

Wow those are great responses, thanks guys! I have always picked up a jalepeno (love em) plant (hybrid whatever) and this year I took the cayenne plant into the house in a pot (its wilted, but still has almost a dozen peppers on it). I'd probably like to try 4-6 different hot peppers next year to see what I like. I do like spicy foods, Indian, Chinese, Carribean, I just can't eat some of those superhots whole like a friend of mine does!

I'll look all these up and check them out. I tried just looking for "hot peppers" and became overwhelmed with so many different choices. Thanks for making it easier for me

Mark, if you have a few to spare and you can send them along, that would be great, thanks!

I've got several of the varieties mentioned, I'll send you an assortment.

hmacdona · October 16, 2011

Hi Lakelady,

There weren't any hot peppers on your wish list for the tomato & pepper seed exchange. So if there are any varieties you wish to try, please feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to add them to your wish list for the swap.

Thanks....Heather

pinakbet · October 17, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelady

but think I'd like a Habanero type or something pretty and ornamental yet edible. I would probably have 6-8 plants next year. Thanks!

how about Cajamarca?

Quote:

Cajamarca

With a beautiful fruit that begins a vibrant violet unique to C. chinense and then changes to a rich red. The wonderfully fragrant aroma of ‘Cajamarca’ captures your attention with an intense, spicy-citrus fragrance and the classic habanero fruity undertone. Very Hot.

source:
http://www.chilepepperinstitute.org/...uct/cajamarca/

lakelady · October 25, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

You need a few out of the box thinkers.

I got a huge crop from my peppers this year by doing some extra work preparing the soil. I tilled in a bale of alfalfa hay and a bale of peat moss and a cubic yard of manure into an area about 10 feet wide by 30 feet long. The pepper plants are 5 feet tall and look like they will keep producing until frost.
DarJones

I noticed you are in the southern region, did you till in the alfalfa hay the previous fall? Sounds like a plan!

Thanks to Mark, I now have some pepper seeds for next year! Lemon Drop, Tobago Seasoning, and a red habanero! Thanks Mark!

Saving seeds of my cayenne, but can't share because I purchased the plant and am not sure what variety it is actually. I also have some jalepeno hybrids so next year I'll have a fun assortment of hot peppers to grow.

biscgolf · October 25, 2011

i grow about 30 varieties each year... imo the best tasting hot pepper i have grown is the datil...loads of flavor and nice warm heat (not quite habanero but close)... i can hook you up with seed if you'd like for sase...

i make a datil apple butter each year as well as a yummy datil mango hot sauce that is sort of a knockoff of the "datil do it" sauce.

October 14, 2011	#1
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	I want to grow some hot peppers but not sure which Last year I had a great Habanero plant that was hugely productive (no idea which variety) and I didn't save seeds. Likely it was a hybrid. Next year, I'd like to have a couple of pepper plants (hot spicy types, but not burn the roof off your mouth hot). I tried searching on the web, and it's overwhelming. Does anyone recommend a variety or two good for the home grower to get started with hot peppers? I've grown Jalepenos and Cayennes too, but think I'd like a Habanero type or something pretty and ornamental yet edible. I would probably have 6-8 plants next year. Thanks!

October 15, 2011	#7
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	i too was going to recommend lemon drop, they are supposed to be 80-100k SHU. nice flavor but not too hot if you can eat hot peppers. and anyone that thinks jalapenos or tabasco hot sauce are hot can't eat hot peppers just use that as a guide. HOWEVER, it is very important to point out that what is not hot to me may be very hot to you. now you say you grew a habanero but there are many kinds. i grew a "scotch bonnet" that turned out to be an orange habanero. some peppers were pretty mild and some had heat but none were all that hot... to me. red carribean i tried this year thanks to mark and it is pretty hot, not a super hot but it's not for a novice. i loved it, good heat and a really great flavor and it may well be my favorite so far but i need another taste and have a few more super hots to try. i was going to recommend long red slim cayenne, they are pretty hot for 50k SHU. and SHU are a general guide not cast in stone. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

October 15, 2011	#8
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,251	You need a few out of the box thinkers. The above suggestions will get you some decent peppers but nothing really spectacular. Here are a few that have some Pizzazz. Chapeau de Frade aka Bishop's Hat = This truly bell shaped pepper has nice pungency near the seed but also enjoys outstanding flavor. You can cut the lobes off of the bell and have superb flavor with no heat or you can cut the entire pepper off of the seed and have superb flavor with lots of heat. Tobago Seasoning - This is a no heat high flavor seasoning pepper. Production is outstanding. I don't like to eat these fresh, the flavor is too intense, but if you want something to really wake up the pepper flavors without adding heat, this is a really good choice. Chocolate Habanero - This one is way up the heat scale. If you want a combination of chinense flavor with very high heat, this one is hard to beat. Super Chili - Yes it is a hybrid, but so what, it is one of the very best peppers around for making hot sauce. They are 2 to 3 inches long, about 3/8 inch diameter at the stem end, and darn near as pretty for an ornamental as they are useful to eat. Did I say that they are also outstanding chili making peppers? Purple Robe - This one is superbly ornamental and also produces a very pretty strawberry shaped pepper. You can use it to heat up a pot of soup or to season some spicy mexican food. It is hot enough to make you think twice before biting into it, but not so hot that you have to call the fire truck to hose you down. One note I should add is that most of the chinense peppers (Chocolate Habanero) are relatively long season. Chapeau de Frade (C. Baccatum) for example needs about 7 months to grow and produce a crop. Start seed indoors about 2 weeks before you start your tomatoes and set them outside after last frost date. I got a huge crop from my peppers this year by doing some extra work preparing the soil. I tilled in a bale of alfalfa hay and a bale of peat moss and a cubic yard of manure into an area about 10 feet wide by 30 feet long. The pepper plants are 5 feet tall and look like they will keep producing until frost. DarJones Last edited by Fusion_power; October 15, 2011 at 08:51 PM.

October 15, 2011	#4
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	I thought the Caribbean Red Habanero was supposed to be REALLY REALLY HOT. At least according to Chileman.org. Is this the same one?

October 15, 2011	#6
lurley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 741	Lemon drop and bird peppers are fairly hot and pretty too. Bird is a more compact plant, might be good in a pot. Sent from my X10a using Tapatalk

October 15, 2011	#9
roper2008 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia Bch, VA (7b) Posts: 1,337	I would suggest Lemon Drop too. Nice hot pepper, and very productive.

October 16, 2011	#10
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	Wow those are great responses, thanks guys! I have always picked up a jalepeno (love em) plant (hybrid whatever) and this year I took the cayenne plant into the house in a pot (its wilted, but still has almost a dozen peppers on it). I'd probably like to try 4-6 different hot peppers next year to see what I like. I do like spicy foods, Indian, Chinese, Carribean, I just can't eat some of those superhots whole like a friend of mine does! I'll look all these up and check them out. I tried just looking for "hot peppers" and became overwhelmed with so many different choices. Thanks for making it easier for me Mark, if you have a few to spare and you can send them along, that would be great, thanks!

October 16, 2011	#12
hmacdona Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Canada (Zone 3A) Posts: 443	Hi Lakelady, There weren't any hot peppers on your wish list for the tomato & pepper seed exchange. So if there are any varieties you wish to try, please feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to add them to your wish list for the swap. Thanks....Heather

October 25, 2011	#15
biscgolf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 353	i grow about 30 varieties each year... imo the best tasting hot pepper i have grown is the datil...loads of flavor and nice warm heat (not quite habanero but close)... i can hook you up with seed if you'd like for sase... i make a datil apple butter each year as well as a yummy datil mango hot sauce that is sort of a knockoff of the "datil do it" sauce.