chiltepin peppers

[bunch-a-chickens]

im probably crazy for wanting to grow them because they're so hot, but id like to give it a try. some say they're hard to grow, some say they're really easy. only one way to find out i guess. what kind of soil do they like and stuff like that is what i want to know. and i guess i should start them inside and put them out when its gettin pretty hot out, right? itd be nice to here from people with real experience with them.

 

[HiDelight]

I love those little firecrackers

the only thing I know about growing them is they like a sweet soil and they get hotter from more abuse! I think it is awesome you want to grow them they are tasty little buggers

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

how do you make a soil "sweet"?

 

[HiDelight]

lime works to raise the pH

I would contact your local extension let them know your plans and ask them how to grow them where you live

I can not wait to hear how they turn out ..this pepper makes some fantastic hot sauces!!!

 

[big brown horse]

I've heard from a very old farmer from TX that the hotter the climate, the hotter the pepper. Could be an old wives tale...

Thanks for explaining how to make soil sweet!

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

theres a lot of lime under the ground in our area, including the yard, so i should be good to go. ive got some jalapenos that sould be ready within a few days, and cayenne plant that are still small, but i cant wait to see how they turn out.

 

[HiDelight]

well alkaline is the proper term I guess

acid is sour soil to me and alkaline is sweet the sweeter the soil the higher the pH

peppers like less acid and a sweeter soil

correct me if I am wrong ..I only was able to grow chiles for a few years while living in the southwest ...they do not grow well here west of the mountains ..I have tried to recreate the soil in a pot for them and then abused them with as much heat as I could ..but alas ..you need sunshine a desert and sweet dry soil to get a nice chile

so I travel for chiles it is worth it!

but we get some decent ones from Eastern Wa now thank goodness! not always but some years they are pretty darn good!

 

[bunch-a-chickens]

any special points for germinating, or just put them in the ground like most seeds?

 

[HiDelight]

here is a dynamite recipe for when you get your chiles


25 fresh chitepins (or Scotch bonnets or habaneros actually any hot chile will do)
1 cup more or less of white vinegar (white is a must for this)
3 allspice berries
pinch of salt and a little citrus juice of your choice (I love it made with any even pineapple but just a bit like a few tsps because you want to enhance the chile not overwhelm it)

blend well in a blender and take it outside to open it!!!! watch your eyes!
this is some awesome hot sauce

 

[HiDelight]

any special points for germinating, or just put them in the ground like most seeds?

I put them in the ground in the Southwest and they grew

when I tried here I sprouted them in a tiny pot and then transplanted but that was still a bushy plant with no peppers (too much nitrogen I am sure)

I am not sure about your type of soil there? what is it like? but you could start them in a pot and see?


also I used to just open dried red chiles of various kinds from the market and grown them I never bought seeds