Vitopod Heated Propagator
We bought the larger heated propagator for the 2007 season and wasn't disappointed. The Vitopod is available heated or unheated, both have large vents and a lid that can be opened gradually to manage the temperature. The heated version provides more control than any other heated propagator and can be controlled to within 1C to manage growing conditions more closely than ever before. We set ours at 29C to start with, placed it outside in an unheated greenhouse in March. Germination started within a week and we lost no seedlings even tho' the night temps were dipping to frosts. They are not the cheapest propagators available but are well made, very controllable, and at this size will easily hold 4-5 times the amount of seed plugs the small standard size tray propagator will hold, which does make it a good buy. With the success of this years plants we are even considering buying a second one for next year to get all seeds germinating together and hopefully even earlier. Available direct from Greenhouse Sensation. http://www.greenhousesensation.co.uk
NFT Hydro System GS100 (3 plants)
We tried out the GS100 in 2004, and found it a very easy kit to begin hydroponic growing with. This kit came with pH water test, nutrients, pump, heater and growing tank. The Greenhouse Sensation Hydro systems are active, which means that the water and nutrient is automatically pumped from a reservoir, around the plant roots, anything the plant does not take is drained back into the reservoir. This way the plants never receive too much or too little water and nutrient. In a GS NFT the water is constantly pumped over the roots and back into the reservoir over and over again. The plants we grew, here seemed to take off at a very quick rate compared with soil pot plants, plus there was no worries about watering as long as you keep an eye on the reservoir. All three varieties grew really well and needed little looking after apart from staking to keep the plant upright as it grew. Electricity is required if using a greenhouse, and we also had a problem with the heating element as it must have slightly leaked and hence burnt out, but these are available at aquarium supplies. Nice easy product to use and maintain. Available direct from Greenhouse Sensation.
http://www.greenhousesensation.co.uk
Wilma 4 Pot System
We first tried this for our growing diary in 2007 and are now using again this year 2008 as we had good success with it. Probably the best of the Capsicums to use in this system are the Chinense as they do not grow so vigorously as the annums and can be managed more easily as the 4 plants do grow quite closely together. Using a small pump, 4 drippers supply nutrients to the plants roots which were planted in clay pebbles. Dripping every 15 minutes in the hour from a timer seem to be adequate. The plants seemed healthier and had more fruit on than the same strain grown in 4 litre pots using soil. The Wilma 4 Pot System can be used with either organic growing media and fertlisers, or with clay pebbles. Measures 69cm long by 58cm wide, the height to the top of the pots in situ is approx 43cm. Each pot holds 11 litres of growing media, the nutrient tank holds 30 litres when full.
http://www.greenshorticulture.co.uk
Ferro Regional Feed
Ferro of Holland have sampled our tap water and made up a mix especially for Chilli Growing using our Anglian Water, other water regions are also available taking into account the minerals already present in the your water system. This makes pH and EC levels much easier to maintain and we have found to be very stable over 4 week usage. Easy to use 2 part mix, one start mix and then onto growth & bloom.
http://www.norfolklights.com
Chorley Chilli Cheddar Cheese - Habanero (HOT!)
Thought I would go straight in and try the hot one first, also a milder jalapeno version available. To start with this is a very nice, fairly mature cheddar, creamy quality, with quite a few bits of orange habanero running thro it. Habanero flavour does come through well, with a nice heat, but not overkill as to spoil the cheese. Overall a very good cheese, and as it says on the label has real bits of habanero in it, goes best with a decent cracker or chunk of crusty bread to appreciate the flavour, will definitely be getting this one again.
Chorley Chilli Cheddar Cheese - Jalapeno
Had to try the Jalapeno as well, nice few bits of green jalapeno's throughout the cheese, could do with a bit more for me, but that earthy/green jalapeno flavour does come through. The difference with both these chilli cheeses over the others I have tried is the quality of the cheese and the distinct flavour of the specific chilli used, instead of being a bit of tasteless plastic cheese with some heat in. Both of these are the best chilli cheeses I've tasted. Available direct from Little Green Men.
http://www.littlegreenmen.co.uk
Kato's Meaner Greener Sauce: Nice pourable consistency, surprisingly just a medium heat coming from the green habanero's, great flavour which is predominantly sweet and sour which is coming from the tomatillo's, often overlooked ingredient in the UK. This would go well with any rice dish but also great with fish, especially a nice piece of white fish.
Kato's Island Sauce: Award winner, labelled as peppers, mango and island spices, but first impression is a sweet curry flavour before you get the heat of the habanero. Great flavoured sauce, slightly thicker than the rest but still pours well. This would go well with spicy rice dishes and BBQ steaks and chicken, also try tossing a few vegetables in before serving.
Kato's Down South Hot Sauce: Ahhh now this is hot, with the full flavour of the scotch bonnet, pours well, but be careful, instantly a burner. If your after some good heat this is the one.
Kato's Chipotle Steak Sauce: This is the one to have with a steak, very sharp flavour, good consistency, but I feel it could do with even more smoke and heat from the chipotle. Much like UK's well known Worcestershire sauce, but a bit smokier, a splash of this would perk up cheese on toast under the grill, also would probably make a good BBQ dip with sour cream or mayonnaise.
Jack Links Beef Jerky - Sweet & Hot
We both enjoyed this one, nice smell about the meat when you open the bag, large strips and a good chew. Good flavour, sweet taste with a bit of a tingle for heat, I would like a bit more heat tho, can also recommend the teriyaki flavoured jerky, and both flavours also come in nuggets which are just as good. Bought from online shop on eBay.
Cruga Chilli Beef Biltong
Disappointing, this one is not so appealing, a lot smaller pieces of beef, good chew but it really lacked any flavour considering its supposed to be Chilli Beef, wouldn't buy again. Bought from local Deli.
Chilli, Chili, Chile - Peppers: Sweet and Hot by Matt Simpson
125 pages with a few black & white illustrations and photos, guiding you through the different species of peppers, how to grow them, what sorts to grow, potting on, feeding and checking for bugs. Other sections include hydroponic growing, over wintering and saving seeds, and then onto harvesting chillis with a nice selection of recipes.
If you are starting out and want to learn a lot more about the history of the chilli, and then onto growing some of your own this is an ideal little read.
Available direct from Simpsons Seeds
http://www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk/
Chillies in 60 ways edited by Sylvy Soh
143 pages, all recipes with full colour photography. Most of the chillis used are referred to as red/green chillis (cayenne's) with the odd mention of Jalapeno which considering now supermarkets are stocking more of a range is a bit disappointing, but if you know your chillis you can swap varieties accordingly to the recipe. Of the five sections there are a variety of good recipes from the Starter of an anchovy sambal or cream of Jalapeno soup thro Vegetarian, Seafood, Meat & Poultry and Snacks including a lime avocado pepper ice cream. A good variety of recipes from Mexico to Italy to India and the Far East, plus a fully illustrated glossary of ingredients to help the novice.
Published by Apple Press 2008