Bhut Jolokia - My Diary

[stupo74]

Hi All,
Thought i would add a couple of pics showing some of the crop i have growing, now they are in flower, (a couple of fruits showing on some, that have been taken off, to give the plant chance to divert the resourses to the flowers & other developing fruits)

First we have the collection indoors, This pic contains 6 different varieties,



They are Bhut Jolokia, Naga, Scotch Bonnet, numex Twilight, Thai yellow & Red, and Prairie Fire.

A couple of snaps of them on there own,





I also have a couple of trial plants (Numex) on the go at the moment, they were planted a few weeks back, i dont expect fruit from them as i intend to chop them down soon, to create veg growth, hopefully enough of which will produce?? to keep them over winter.



I have some fruit on my super hots now, and an abundance of flowers which will hopefully return fruit.
This said, i have taken a few fruits off as they grow, thus giving the others chance to set, as the gorwing fruit is taking all the food from the new developing 1's, below is a Naga fruit and 2 prairie fire, still quite small, but they still pack a punch.

.

I will have to leave it there for now, but more pics on the way later,,,,,, cheers me??

[Matt_B]

Some fine specimens you have there Paul, the second picture of the chilli plant on it's own is actually beautiful, so green and healthy

I've obviously got lots to learn

Not much to report on mine at the moment, they are still alive which is good!!

21/07/2010





Does seem there is more shoots sprouting from the base..



... so hopefully they will bush out and start looking like the other chilli plants in this thread

Good luck everyone

[stupo74]

Hi Matt,
Quote;
Does seem there is more shoots sprouting from the base..

This is natural, my mate, just be careful that all the new growth does not gobble up all the water/food that any flowers or fruit that are forming will need.
In my collection, i chop, cut and generally, experiment with them all, but make sure i have a couple that will produce fruit and of course some seed.

With the windowsill variety that you pointed out (Prairie Fire) i Nip the top out after about 4-6 sets of true leaves, thus giving the plant chance to bush out. This is my way, i dont know what is recomended, but it works, so alls good.
These little plants can produce in excess of a hundred little fruits on 1 plant,
ideal for the kitchen, and though small, they have a real kick, obviously no where near as hot as the "Bhuts" etc, but will still bring your mates senses alive
They are great little plants, as the fruits set, in different stages, the plant has creamy yellow, orange and finally red fruits all over,quite stunning they look.

I will post some more pics as time goes on, but here is 1 of the nagas on the plant, not quite there yet.



Your plants look great mate, do i see flowers?? or little flower heads forming?

Dont forget to read the things about "Overwintering" as you may have some good candidates there.

See ya later,,,,, paul.

[stupo74]

Hi Matt,
I have just replied, but i forgot and added a pic, so it is in moderation, till the "Lovely Lesley" gets back... so the full reply will be with you then.
cheers paul

[Matt_B]

First flower has opened today

[stupo74]

Hi Matt,
"Nice",,,,,,, only the 1???
You will need a couple more open so they get pollinated, either by hand or insects.
Do you have many flower heads forming or formed??

I have had a few flowers come and go on my "Bhuts" (no fruit formed) but things are looking better now, as the next lot of flowers start to open.

I have 3 fruit on my "Naga" plant, with a few more forming.

The Prairie Fire, on the windowsill has an abundance of flowers, and a few fruits just popping out.

I think this season has been "awkward" with the way the weather has been, 1 minute, hot, the next, cold & wet, we could do with full sun now til the end of at least august.

Glad its going ok your end mate, keep us posted,,, cheers paul.

[Matt_B]

Thanks Paul

Yeah there is loads of flowers forming...





... Looking forward for the next flowers so I can get my ear buds out

I have read that the best time to pollinate is between midday and 3pm ?

Good luck mate

Matt

[Reweed]

This is slowly becoming my favourite thread. Chilli Pepper ****.

I love how bhuts are mega hot, and product and unholy amount of flower heads. Interested to see what my drop rate is. Some plants tend to flower drop a lot more than others.

I'll post more pics tomorrow.

[stupo74]

Hi Mate,
"Flower Drop" had loads falling here Maybe to do with the temp change lately??
Other causes, are, lack of pollination & "over watering"
The latter cannot be said for my plants however, i keep the watering to a min,
Like said, i have fruits on my "Nagas" and some just peeking through on the "Bhuts", however, i don't expect a bumper crop this season, i would settle for a handful of pods, and a healthy plant at the end of the season for the "overwintering" option.

I have set some seeds out ready, for planting (soon), hopefully getting them germinated, and grown to a size with some good veg growth, these also i will try and keep till spring.

I to, will post some more pics later in the next week,
cheers stupo

[Matt_B]

Fortunatly/Unfortunatly??? I work 7 days a week, and to be honest my chilli plants ( not just the bhut's) will show signs of wilting before I water

Hope you will share your overwintering

Looking forward to the pics

Matt

[Matt_B]

Originally Posted by Reweed

This is slowly becoming my favourite thread. Chilli Pepper ****.

I love how bhuts are mega hot, and product and unholy amount of flower heads. Interested to see what my drop rate is. Some plants tend to flower drop a lot more than others.

I'll post more pics tomorrow.

We all can make this thread great, not only for us, but anyone else wanting to try super chilli's

Get those pics posted!!

[Reweed]

Stupo, have you tried misting your plants. Apparently that can help stop flowers drying out and increase humidity.

Might be worth a go if lots are dropping.

I find then plant tries to drop nearly every flower once a few fruits have formed on some varieties. Especially if the plant is only small. Not of this is scientifically proven, just what i've observed over the last 3 years or so.

[stupo74]

Thanks mate,
I have lost all my flowers from the "Bhuts" & 2 fruits that had set. However, i have witnessed this before, last year i had simmilar probs even with the plants in a polytunnel)
I have had my plants indoors for the last few days,(due to outside conditions) and the change has not suited them.

Now the "Nagas" are fine some fruits already taken, (to allow others to set) and 3 more on the go as we speak
Scotch bonnet, plenty flowers, but no sett fruit yet
The Prairie Fire, are spot on as always, loads of flowers & fruit forming
Thai 1's a little slow, but flowers all over,

And finally, the "Numex", flowers all over, no fruit as yet???? and these are supposed to be the easiest to grow

Hopefully, fruits of some discription, will be abundant at the end of the season thus containing the pleasure for the next time,,,,
cheers stupo.

"Great Thread"

[lisa4star]

What a really interesting thread - I bought a chilli plant this year and there are masses of chillies on it growing, probably about 40 or 50. I've also grown some from seed which seem to be doing well although they have not flowered yet. The variety is not clear, it just says mixed chillies. Only on my third attempt did u get them to germinate. I used the same technique that I have found works great for basil which is jus to simply sow plenty and put a freezer bag over the pots and place in the greenhouse.

Matt and stupo, I will try some different varieties next year but not strong ones as I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to hot ones. I have a friend that refers to the effect of chillies as chilli bum, lol Any suggestions on which mild chillies to grow?

I'm making curry tonight and make my own paste which is lovely. Just place chillies (as many as you can handle - one in my case), garlic, ginger, lemongrass, a shallot, coriander, lime juice and olive oil in a blender and blend until smooth. I make loads and freeze in batches - it freezes well.

[Reweed]

That sounds pretty nice Lisa. I make up small batches of chilli paste/sauce. There are plenty of mild chillis you can grow. Jalapeno is the obvious choice. But could also try something a bit different. "Lemon Drop" aren't too hot and have a nice herby lemon flavour.

[lisa4star]

Lemon drop - that sounds lovely and edible unlike these ghost chillies which sound like they would cause me a lot of pain and suffering, lol.

I think I was scarred when I was young from chillies as I remember clearly when I was five and I was at my nana and papa's house and having lunch. In the middle of the table was their homemade pickles which I have always loved and thought the red thing in the jar looked nice so without anyone stopping me, I put the whole thing in the mouth and crunched away and then bang my face felt like it would explode, lol. Of course the family thought this was hysterical - I've never forgave them.

[Reweed]

Thats great. My mum looks after kids and last year one of them was acting like a prat and started putting all the stuff i had laid out to dry in his mouth.

My mum warned him that they were chillies. He got quite a shock when he bit into one of them, started crying. I laughed.

[Matt_B]

Few more flowers out today



Had to have a sort out in the greenhouse as my chilli's were on shelving on the side on the GH and they was touching the roof, so the first job was to get rid of the ones my mrs is growing



Ended up costing me, but hey, look at the room i've got now



Has anyone used copper tape around pots to stop slugs/snails? I might go and get some if it works

Matt

[Matt_B]

Originally Posted by Reweed

He got quite a shock when he bit into one of them, started crying. I laughed.

If thats you in your avatar, looks like you've just bit into a bhut

[Reweed]

Thats just my normal facial expression. unfortunate i know.