2020 Pepper Season: Week 3 Update

It’s actually been just about three and a half weeks since the plants made their way outdoors and we’ve seen some solid development on all fronts – though a few are moving along at a leisurely place while others are racing. We’ve even had our first little pepper arrive and then swiftly taken away in a wind/rain storm. At any rate, this is where we stand thus far into the season.

Self-watering Buckets

The plants in these set-ups, as stated in the week one update, have certainly gotten off to a great start with nearly all the plants producing little buds. Hell, the Ghostly Jalapeno actually had three blossoms and one little fruit on it as late as last Thursday. Unfortunately, the previously mentioned storm decided not to let them progress.

The little White Bhut Jolokia that was struggling mightily just before heading outside has rebounded like a champ and will most certainly be crowned “comeback player” once the season wraps up later this year. The plant has surpassed several of the raised bed plants in terms of size and development at this point.

Raised Beds

Most of the plants in the raised beds got off to a sluggish start with some, even this many weeks into the season, just now starting to show some actual growth – I’m looking at you Bih Jolokia x Sugar Rush Peach and both the Bonda Ma Jacque. But there are others that are already starting to flower. Both the Hatch and Craig’s Grande Jalapeno have buds that will be opening this week. And one of the Chocolate Bhutlah’s could very well have its first fruit in a day or so.

Miscellaneous Pots

As for those plants that are in random pots about the backyard, most are doing quite well. I’ve had a small aphid uprising that needed to literally be squashed and slugs, but other than that they are all doing well. Even the mystery pepper, as small as it may be, is even putting in work. The blow photo is showing one of my favorite plants so far this season, the Mini Olive Rocoto which is just now starting to bud.

Now that I am working from home full time (or at least until the pandemic situation changes) I am always near the plants. And seeing them every day doesn’t do them justice in the fact that none seem to be doing anything – that is, until I compare the above photos to those displayed in previous updates. Many of the plants have actually doubled and even tripled in size in the last couple of weeks. I can’t wait to start getting some fruit in the coming months!