Full season of growing the newer superhots, Bhut Jolokia Yellow, Bengle Naga, and a few versions of the Trinidad 7 Pot strain, along with some old favourites for cooking.
This Years Varieties
Bhut Jolokia Yellow (Capsicum chinense) The Yellow Bhut Jolokia a natural variant of the Worlds Hottest Chilli Pepper Bhut Jolokia, Ghost Chilli or Ghost Chilli. The yellow variant has a slightly lower heat level than the red Bhut Jolokia (which is the same for most yellow variants) but still a very hot chilli . Pods ripen from green to yellow and if left on the plant will ripen to a light yellow/orange colour. Still a very hot chilli with a citrus flavour.
Bengle Naga (Capsicum chinense) Originating as an off-type plant in a greenhouse full of Bhut Jolokia, Bengle Naga has wrinkled fruit that change from light green to red as they mature. The fruit have an elongated wedge shape and measure about 20 x 60mm. Given this variety’s pedigree, the fruit deliver magnificently on the heat, reaching in excess of 900,000 SHU in 2011. Ranking among the hottest chillies in the world, it packs enough heat to challenge even the most hardcore thrill seekers. The plants can be quite tall and are better grown in the ground or large pots. Approximate heat level: 732,000–923,000 SHU.
Habanero Ugandan Red (Capsicum chinense) An extremely hot habanero type from Uganda. Ugandan red is one of the hottest chillies from Africa. Heavy cropping plant, pods have a great flavour. Elongated pods reach about 5cm in length. They mature from green to dark red.
Fairy Lights (Capsicum annuum) A stunning example of chillis at their most colourful, Fairy Lights is a selection made from the ornamental variety NuMex Twilight. The plants have purple-tinged leaves matched by bright purple flowers that develop into small, cone-shaped fruit measuring about 12 x 25mm. These put on a dramatic display of colours as they turn from luminescent purple to orange then red. The fruit are not only attractive, they are also hot. The plants grow upright, and will stand unsupported both in containers and in the ground. Approximate heat level: 47,000 SHU.
Lemon Drop (Capsicum baccutum) The attractive, bright yellow fruit are about 70mm long, often with a nipple at the tip. They are very hot, with a sparkling, citrus-like flavour. The tall, straggly plants are modest producers and need support to stay upright. A specialty chilli that will be much appreciated by gourmands who like some flavour with their heat. Approximate heat level: 56,000 SHU.
Pimientos de Padron (Capsicum annuum) Small sweet Spanish heirloom chilli pepper from Galicia, approx 1 in 10 harvested Padron chilli peppers are really hot the remainder have little heat, harvest can start from the green stage. Peppers mature from green to red, horn shaped and some get hotter as they mature, but which ones? Excellent for Tapas, stir fries, stuffed, grilled or fried whole in olive oil. They are usually pan fried with a pinch of salt and eaten by holding the stalk. From 1,000 to 12,000+ SHU.
Naga Morich European Strain (Capsicum chinense) Naga Morich a strain from Spain that has by selective breeding over 12 generations been strengthened and now constantly produces a high heat level of over 1,000,000 SHU.
Serrano Del Sol (Capsicum annuum) Hybrid. Traditionally eaten green, the bullet-shaped fruit of Serrano chillis are one of the mainstays of Mexican cooking. Serrano del Sol is early and prolific, producing fleshy fruit that measure about 1.5 cm wide by 8-10 cm long. The fruit ripen from green to red and can be used at either stage of maturity. Unlike most chillis, the plants are characterised by hairy stems and leaves. They are tall and untidy, with many loose branches, and generally do better in the ground .The fruit are ideal additions to exotic fare such as guacamole and pico de gallo salsa. They are, however, very versatile, and are perfectly adapt to other types of cooking where some spicing up is needed. Approximate heat level: 22,000 SHU.
Trinidad 7 Pot Brain Strain (Capsicum chinense) One of the superhot chillis is the 7 Pot Brain Strain, a hybrid 7 Pot variety from Trinidad, it is similar to the Moruga scorpion in fruit shape, yield and plant habit, pods have a fruitier flavour but not quite as hot. Plants can produce pods of different shapes.
Trinidad 7 Pot Jonah (Capsicum chinense) The 7 pot Jonah is a larger version of the Trinidad 7 Pot. It has a fruity type flavour when you can get past the heat. It averages between 800,000 to 1,000,000 SHU. So it is just as hot as the Bhut Jolokia and depending on growing conditions may be even hotter. Like the 7 Pot it gets bumpy and wrinkly and can produce different shapes. Sometimes will even get a little scorpion tail. Height 1m, pods mature from light green to dark red.
Trinidad 7 Pot Brown (Capsicum chinense) A rare, very hot 7 pot species. A chocolate version of Trinidad 7 Pot with a sweeter flavour but just as hot! This pepper also known a 7 pot Douglah was tested at over 1,800,000 SHU. Plants grow over a meter in height and are very productive. Pods ripen from light green to Brown.
Saved seeds from our stocks
Aurora (Capsicum annuum) Ornamental chilli, Small 30-40 cm plants, purple and green foliage, chillies 4 cm long. Upright plant, ripens from lavender to deep purple to bronze/orange and finally to red. Very nice for the patio or in the house.
Medusa (Capsicum annuum) Ornamental chilli Medusa Fruits are thin and twisted in a cone shape, held prominently upright over the foliage. Fruits start out ivory and as they mature turning yellow to orange and finally red. Can produce up to 50 fruits. Good manageable size to grow in pots.
This Years Equipment
Growth Technology Chilli Focus Chillis and peppers have specific nutritional requirements. While it is true that they can perform reasonably well with general purpose “feeds”, the best results will be achieved by using a formulation designed specifically for them. Chilli Focus is precisely formulated for the needs of chillies and peppers – it does not contain urea. It supports the production of healthier, more vigorous plants and colourful, juicier fruits.
Growth Technology Root Riot Cubes Made from composted organic materials, these cubes have a great spongy texture which retains the perfect air/water ratio for healthy, rapid root growth. Suitable for both cuttings and seeds, Root Riot® consistently outperforms alternative media. The cubes are specially inoculated with micro nutrients and biologically active ingredients to nourish young plants, and to aid root development.
Greenhouse Sensation Vitopod Precise control - the accurate electric digital thermostat can be set to any 1°C between 5°C and 30°C and the display shows the actual and the set temperatures. The lower temperatures are ideal for over-wintering cuttings and prized plants, the higher temperatures are great for getting hot chillis and exotic plant seeds off to a flying start and the middle temperatures are perfect for everything else. Large vents in lids and sides – for superior humidity control, so your plants don’t suffer from damping-off. Even Heat - our Vitopod delivers an even heat throughout the base, so there are no hot spots or cold spots and your seeds and cuttings will germinate evenly. Height adjustable – add the extra layers to give plants more space. Perfect for when the weather is taking its time to warm up enough for you to plant-out and for protecting taller mature plants from the cold. Robust - the Vitopod is built to last. The lids and sides are made from a robust acrylic and are treated to protect them against the UV deterioration which makes other propagators turn yellow and brittle.
Greenhouse Sensation Octogrow takes 8 young plants in 11 litre pots and keep them perfectly fed and watered at all times thanks to the large Smart Reservoir and FeederMat controlled watering, so that you raise healthier plants with bigger harvests.
