Mid-July 2019 Pepper Update

It’s been just about a month since the last update of my outdoor plants and all of them are in prime shape heading into the heat of Summer. I’ve even had the opportunity to sample a couple of ripe pods as well. The Criolla Sella has proven to be one heck of a snacking pepper while the Biquinho has offered up a couple dozen ripe fruit for munching.

Now, we just have to wait for the superhots to start changing color — some are already on their way while others will probably make their ripened debut well into August. Below you’ll find updates on most of the plants with just about as many photos (you’ve been warned).

Self-watering Buckets

The plants here have just thrived. Having the constant reservoir of water, especially in this ridiculous Virginia heat, has been a blessing for the eight plants in this grouping.

While the yellow Pequin haven’t offered up any ripe fruit as of yet, both plants are absolutely packed with pods. Compared to the standard red variety that I grew last year, these plants are skyscrapers in terms of height. I’m not sure if the dramatic difference is based on seed stock or environmental, these things are pushing four feet.

Both Biquinho plants are incredibly full of pods in various state of ripening. If only I can stop snacking on them long enough to take notes for a proper review. Perhaps some point this week.

The first superhot to actually produce a ripened fruit has been the yellow Scorpion grown from seeds provided by @Fxbg Hot, but it was not the correct phenotype so I’m still waiting for one of the gorgeous pods below to ripen for a full review. Oh, and by the way, it was hot!

Raised Beds

As you’ll see below, the raised beds at home are quite full. The plants, despite their slow start, have filled the space to the fullest and all are heavy with unripened fruit.

First up, is the bed affectionately labeled “Danger, Danger, Danger.” The eight plants here are definitely the fieriest varieties that I am growing this year. So far, however, the award for gnarliest looking pods has to go to the yellow 7 Pot Primo. Just look at these unholy things!

Last year, I grew the Giant Yellow Cardi Scorpion and just loved the combination of tropical flavor and fire. So, this year, I’m growing three plants and all are overloaded with pods. Though, it would appear, that only two of them are of the correct phenotype so we’ll see how they ripen in the coming weeks.

The first plant to ripen in this collection of plants is the Carolina Reaper. This one, however, isn’t in the bed with the rest — it’s in a pot right next door as it was a backup purchase I made shortly after the season started. Regardless, these fruit still look menacing.

Next up we have a series of photos (in order: MOA, Freeport Orange, Papa Dreadie and Brains) showcasing the loads of pods hanging on my Scotch Bonnet varieties. The MOA and Dreadie were the slowest to get going, but they have more than caught up to the Freeport Orange while the Scotch Brains just keep getting bigger and bigger. Man, I cannot wait for all of these to start ripening!

Finally, the last bed at home holds a handful of Aji varieties. The two Aji Charapita plants that I’ve got going are nice and bushy with what looks like a couple hundred unripened pods adoring their limbs. I did steal the only ripe fruit from one of the plants earlier this week and that little bugger packs a punch! I’m really looking forward to more of these.

Also in this bed are two Aji Fantasy that are heavy with large, unripened fruit. Between those plants, the Aji Dulce, Cachucha, Rico and Lemon, this bed looks like it going to hand deliver more than a couple pounds of peppers.

The Overflow Plot

The 13 plants at my overflow location — much like last year, but to a lesser degree — took a bit of a beating early on. But now that we are well into the season, all of the plants are looking great! We’re not going to show all the plants with this post, but as you can see below everyone appears to be happy.

The two Carbonero plants that I’ve got here look a bit different than the plant I have in the self-watering bucket. The plants look a bit fuller and the fruit much more distinct in appearance and, well, bigger to boot. Their contorted look isn’t overly intimidating, but I’m sure there’s a good amount of heat waiting to bring the pain.

And lastly, we’ll share an update on the Grenada Seasoning. These two plants are supposed to produce smooth skinned pods that aren’t supposed to have much, if any, heat to them. What I’m looking at (below), however most definitely have the blistered look of a superhot. There’s a single pod that just recently started ripening so it won’t be too long before we get to check out the result, but as of right now, I’ve got a mystery on my hands.

That’s it for now. I hope everyone’s growing season has been going well and we’ll be back in a week or so with some pepper reviews!