Chili Peppers

16 years ago

My 3rd year of vegetable gardening was great! I got the pepper-bug and went hog-wild on peppers. Jalapeno, serrano, anaheim, poblano, purple bell, goat horn, all did great. My Thai yellow and Chinese multicolor did not, although I did get a few off the Chinese multicolor. Very seedy they were, but great colors.

So I'm already thinking of next year and doing a bit of research. I wanted to try a habanero or some aji varities, and am looking for recommendations. I started all my plants from seed last year and plan to do the same this year. I'm looking for a milder habanero that will do well in my area (if that's even possible, I'm zone 5b), and I'm open to the Aji varities since there seems to be a LOT of those in the various seed vendors I've looked at. I'll be canning salsa, eating them off the grill, and using them in Asian cooking if that makes any difference.

I also built a greenhouse that I plan on using to extend my growing season (as well as start my seeds), so if it works better to grow the habanero in a container, let me know. Thanks!

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Comments (8)

sandhill_farms
16 years ago
You may also want to check with the experts on the "Hot Pepper" Forum. Link below...

Greg
Southern Nevada

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Pepper Forum
roper2008
16 years ago
I think Zavory is like a habanero without the heat. I will be trying it
next year along with Tobago Seasoning. There is also Aji Habanero,
which I did grow this summer. It's not the shape or size of an habanero,
but has the flavor without the heat. If you plant any Chinese varieties,
I would start those much earlier especially in your zone. You should
ask Ajijoe about the Aji's since that's his favorite variety.
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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
16 years ago
I never got habanero to grow there. Everywhere else I've been its grown better in ground than in pots. IME fussy but prolific when happy.

Dan
Mad Ferret
16 years ago
What about aji lemon? I think I'm going to gives those a try myself if I can buy some seed.

I've already got habs and twilight seedlings on the go for next year :0)
spiced_ham
16 years ago
Trinidad Perfume and Tobago Seasoning are low-no heat habaneros. Orange Habanero has a distinctive flavor. it is also a long season plant (over 100 days). There are other habnero-types that are much shorter season, but have their own flavor. I like Peruvian White habanero because although it will light you up it is not as blazing hot as most other habs. It is early and productive on a compact plant.
erikjlee
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the replies! I'll give the Hot Pepper forum a go after I read up on some of the varieties listed here.

100 days is certainly pushing it, unless I can uproot, pot it, and put it in my greenhouse.
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
16 years ago
unless I can uproot, pot it, and put it in my greenhouse.

No you can't.

Dan
cabrita
16 years ago
I am growing aji limon for the second year and I love the sharp flavor, bright yellow color and good productivity. The heat is medium, a bit hotter than Jalapeno, maybe like a serrano. Two-three chili peppers per salsa bowl, rather than one if I use Habaneros. Got the seed from the Chile pepper institute at NMSU.

My favorite Chinenses are the Datils, but not that easy to grow. What a flavor though!

Others you have not mentioned are tabascos and cayennes. Not sure what will grow where you live, but it is hard to guess. This year we are trying a bunch of different sweet ones, some varieties did not produce, some did great. Different story in another garden, even in the same town.

Also, have you ever tasted a manzano (also called rocotto) pepper? (C. pubescens) Yet another pepper flavor dimension but hard to grow. They like cooler weather but not frost.