Meet the Peppers

The end of July has seen a number of the peppers accelerate, although the wet has also seen the slug population accelerate too. I've seen a few whitefly, too, although not yet a huge problem. I found a gigantic toad in the greenhouse a couple of days ago and hope he'll do his best with the slugs and snails. It's interesting to see the Chinese types really picking up now and as attractive plants they're some of the best. We have a few days of sunshine ahead, so hopefully we'll have another growth spurt, but here are some of the plants. I've not included any of the mystery types here, although I believe a couple of them are Hungarian Blacks, which should make for some attractive purple peppers.

Cayennetta (right). Still loving these. This little bush is as wide as it is tall - around two feet - with some 40 or 50 fruits on it. That’s a heavy harvest and maybe three of the Cayennetta are very similar to this. If we have a few of these each year and can get a reliable harvest then I can grow whatever I like around the edge. Very impressed so far.

Ring of Fire (left). The past two weeks this one’s rocketed up. Two feet tall, about the same as the Cayennetta, albeit leggier and less bushy, with some fruit coming. This was the pepper type that got me into peppers so I’m always going to make room for a plant or two, but they’re going to have to really perform the rest of the season if they want to compete with the Cayennetta.

Jalapeno (right). Not an impressive plant. Farmers’ Market Jalapeno has been temperamental, especially to the temperature fluctuations we've had. We’ll get some fruit, I expect, but I had wanted to make chipotle and cowboy candy and a bunch of recipes that want the milder Jalapeno vibe and we won't get enough for that. This is the best plant and it's an okay height but is not as mature and bushy as it should be.

Habanero (left). Late bloomers, but they’re coming into their own now. The luscious broad leaves are among my favourites and we have a few fruit coming. This one planted in the ground is probably strongest.

Rocoto (right). Really shooting up now. This has been probably the thirstiest variety and I’ve kept a few outside, which seem to be doing fine. One has been heavily slugged this week, but I don’t think it’s fatal, and the plants just look so different from all the other peppers, with their darker, hairier leaves. I hope they still have some growing to do but I do like these plants.

Aji Crystal (left). The first pepper harvest! After this photo I picked the white/yellow fruit. I'm going to let a few mature to red, although this variety tends to be harvested at this stage.

The Others

Lemon Starrburst. Again, a late bloomer. I only tried a few seeds and they’ve very much followed the pattern of the Habanero, coming to life in July with beautiful broad and bright leaves. Earlier in the season I had decided never to bother again with these but now I want to see what the yield is like.

Baccatums. The Sugar Rush Peach and the Zebrange have gone back and forth, one moment looking wonderful, then looking terrible. I'm not sure we have the ideal conditions for the Baccatum varieties and I've heard elsewhere they're temperamental in the UK but I hope we have at least a handful of stripey fruits from these.