I can't help you with your two questions, but I have found them growing wild at Pease Park along the creek. They were on a sloped bank, thick with cedar and other stuff.

I'd plant it in the spring given that the plant is less tolerant to cold than heat. Because the fruits are determined by the genetics of the parent plant, I don't think you need to worry about unusual jalapeno hybrids.

Ty

Wouldn't that be a surprise? You go to cook up some Tex-Mex with the mild native peppers and end up with mini Jalepenos!

reread the article about the hybrid and think i undertand. the seeds of the peppers might grow into hybrids (if cross pollinated).
I do plan on harvesting some seeds from the pequin... so I think i will try to keep them on opposite sides of my property.

Here is a link that might be useful: another Capsicum annuum thread with mention of hybrid.

I am growing a new pepper this year called a fajita pepper, supposedly a cross between a green bell and a jalapeno.........my husband thinks they do not have enough heat, but too much for me.

I can eat hot peppers but I don't like it when they over power the dish and make everything taste like a hot pepper. I also really like hot stuff that's been cooled off with creme cheeses, sour creams and the like.

I've had these growing for several years....Arlington, TX.

They are tough, return from seed and I've never tried one because I've heard they are really hot.

Birds like the fruit. They stay attractive until the first hard freeze about December here.

I was told that peppers are one plant that you [in that case it was "I"] should start over from seed because the old plants are prone to carry over disease that could infect other peppers.

Soooo, I suppose if I were you I'd put it in a pot where it can be happy. I believe you said something about a hanging basket. I have hanging basket begonias sitting on top of soil in pots on the ground...in their baskets. The soil helps protect them and they look gorgeous without me assaulting their roots.

You could gather the little gems and replant next year and enjoy it this year too.

c