C H I L I B L O G

Amorphophallus Konjak

2011-07-06T19:04:00.002+02:00

I documented the flower of Amorphophallus Konjak for my good friend James.

And some thoughts started to wonder....now why did I do this again?

Here is the clip I made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kutBzuN7CLc

Success with the Sequoiadendron Giganteum !

2011-04-02T14:03:00.006+02:00

Everything is easy. When you have learned the "how to process". I have been blessed with an increased feeling of satisfaction when it comes to my gardening hobby. For some months I have had problem with getting seedlings from the Sequoiadendron Giganteum to survive. But I think I might have succeeded now. Apparently these rather, to my mind, sensitive plants need a lot of moisture to thrive. Basically that is one of the major changes I have done. I have simply showered them with a mist of water twice/three times per day ( when I have had the chance). Look at the beauties.

The Sequoiadendron Giganteum is a tree that might be able to age beyond centuries and even milleniums. Imagine that little me have been part of the initiation process, of what I hope to be a long lived tree.

My oh my...

In Japan there is a tradition by some bonsaigrowers. To make a bonsai whenever you have a child or grandchild. I like this tradition. The seeds of the above Sequoiadendron Giganteum were sowed when my friends Karl and Linda had a child. A beautiful thought and tradition by the Japanese people. In honour of their first child the small sequoia with lots of needles goes by the name of " Tilde".

Au revoir for this time !

7 Pot/ 7 Pod

2011-04-02T13:50:00.002+02:00

7 pod ( Capsicum Chinense) flower in April. Stockholm Sweden.

7 Pot plant.

I have been a bit preoccupied with worldly matters. And as such have not got a chance to update the homepage. I have one plant that has not been affected by the aphid attacks. It is the 7 pot/7 pod. Right now it is in full bloom for me. I expect fruit in 1-2 months on it. I realized there are some benefits with having saved plants from last year. You certainly dont need to promote the growth stage. As such one can take it easy with the Nitrogene supporting. Basically you need to promote the fruiting stage.

The shrimps get a new home...

2011-02-10T00:40:00.002+01:00

What started as a small idea turned out to be a new project. I started with a glass bowl with 5 shrimps in it. Thinking a small gold fish bowl can be a new fertilizer supplier. Then I realized that I did not think it was fair toward my hard working shrimp. They, having a small pathetic space to live on. And having me a gigantic weird creature coming, messing around and stealing their life space every three days. Therefor, as a truly ethical human being. I bought a new home and new kind of shrimps. These type of shrimps were a bit more appealing to my eyes. In the same phase I geeked myself into the fine category of Aquascaping and thought I would show my pepper friends the beauty of having an aquarium. Now, you might not like it. But you can always pretend and go for the "white lie".

The mini apartment garden + new friends

2011-02-04T11:34:00.002+01:00

It is definitely time for some pictures. I have to enjoy whatever that is left of my little apartment garden and also occupy my mind with something else then Aphids. This how my window seat looks like at the moment.

This year I bought a glass bowl. Now, it does not only contain water. Let us have a peek inside to see what kind of animals that might be dwelling this little bowl.

Meet the shrimps. My fertilising supply problems are over. Well, I have never considered myself having any problem on this side. Since one can always use a bit of your own diluted pee. But in this case the shrimp water does not smell.The shrimps "poo poo" and "pee pee" ( I am not sure if shrimps take a piss? Have to look it up some day) is hopefully a good fertliser for the chile peppar plants. I guess I will find out soon. Notice that in the glass bowl there are some marine plants. So they will take up some nutritients from the shrimps. As such I have a splendid theory. That I actually might be able to water the plants with the "shrimp water" continuously.

Aphid attacks....

2011-01-27T15:04:00.000+01:00

I bought some new soil. And have had Aphids on most of my new peppers. Inluding some of my last season plants. Damn these little critters from hell . I can not get rid of them with biological methods. And finding ladybugs at this time of year is not something that is easily done. I really, really hate Aphids. My whole section of chile pepper plants are in jeopardy. Stunted growth has ocurred to 5-6 of my plants thanks to Aphids. I must think...and reorganize my mind. In what the aphids would interpretate as a rather diabolical way.

New Peppers for the season.

2010-12-19T22:38:00.006+01:00

It is time to sow some new seeds. I have learned some from the past season. If I had enough space I would probably sow tons of peppers. But with limited space comes formidable plans. As always? The following seeds have hit the soil.

1) Trinidad Scorpion ( Capsicum Chinense ) Morouga Blend. I have tried B. Jolokia, Naga Morich, 7 Pot so the time has come to test the "scorpion". With this one, then I have tried four of the strongest peppers of the world. Right now the B. Jolokia and Naga is in favour when it comes to taste.

2) Cabai Chili Tree ( Capsicum Annuum). A simple cayenne pepper plant from Malaysia. Rumoured to grow very quickly, hence the name tree. Even though I have sucky light conditions I can see some potential behind the bragging. The only reason I try this one is to see how much peppers it can produce. This one will be my industrious pepper provider. Not that I need that with a lot of peppers still in the freezer.

3) Royal Black ( Capsicum Annuum) An ornamental pepper type to dazzle mankind with its beauty. Let us hope that this one taste a bit as well. I am still out after an ornamental with good taste. The pods are of piquin type standing erect.

4) Bradleys Bahamian ( Capsicum Frutescens ) Rumoured to be one of the strongest (Capsicum Frutescens) varieties. Let us see. Could be a success. It is supposed to get quite aromatic pods. I am above all out after taste as usual.

5) Cumari Pollux ( Capsicum Praetermissium ) I have never tried a Praetermissium before. This will be my first year. From what I have seen this plant has a lot of beautiful flowers with quite aromatic pods. I have not tasted it myself. But my hopes are good about this species.

6) Super Datil ( Capsicum Chinense) This one is rumoured to be an extremely good eating pepper. I am not surprised it belonged to the C. Chinense species. I look forward on getting pods in say 4-5 months on this one.

These plants goes with some keepers from last year. B. Jolokia, Chocolate Jolokia, Chocolate Scotch Bonnet, 7 pod and, belieave it or not, the Piementa De Neyde. I did not have the stomach to kill the De Neyde. It is still alive because of its ridicolous beauty tantalizing my mind. Janne Löfgren my pepper brother suggested that I should try to make a bonchi out of it. I have cut it down but due to a lot of work/studies and training I have not been able to give it much attention yet.

I feel that I should try a new C. Pubescens and a new Baccatum. But I have not decided on those yet. Seeds I have in alphabetical order.

A) Aji Panca, Aji Cito

B) B. Jolokia ( 15 seeds, pure), Black Namaqualand, Bishops Hat, Bradleys Bahamian

C) Chiltepin, Cabai Chili Tree, Cumari Pollux, Chocolate Jolokia ( cross pollination possible), Capsicum Praetermissium,Cap 1499, Cap 1492

E) Explosive Ember

H) Habanero brown, Habanero large brown

L) Large Red Cherry, Long Slim Cayenne, Limôn.

M) Malaga bird

N) Naga Morich ( cross pollinated)

P) Piementa De Neyde, pirri pirri, 7 pod, Purrira, PI 281353

R) Red Caribbean, Royal Black, Super Datil,

T) Turbo Pube, Thai Orange Hot,

I just sowed Turbo Pube, Thai Orange Hot, Aji Cito and Limon.

Sometimes, the simplest is the best

2010-11-25T15:00:00.004+01:00

Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the best. Spaghetti Bolognese with Chocolate Scotch Bonnet (Capsicum Chinense) . God damn that is good. Now that is a combination that has been used 10-20 times by me and it is still going strong. But make sure not to overdose the dish with Chocolate Scotch Bonnet. Or you might be referring to your meal as the "shit of Satan" when you are in the bathroom and doing number two.

A cup of green tea to gulp down and I will be ready for the remaining obligations of the day. Hopefully the tea will help against the horrible bathroom picture I got in my head now.

My foodideas varies in quality and taste.

2010-11-24T15:15:00.001+01:00

Regular dish. Moussaka with sliced chocolate scotch Bonnet. Got too oily, did not like it. Ate some "Knäckebröd" ( a form of crispbread that is supposed to be very healthy) to balance this oily dish. The Chocolate Scotch Bonnet did not marry well with the Moussaka to be honest.

I am not unknown for my creativity. But I think this dish got out of hand. It is a traditional Bamya with two bits of fried flounder. Not sure the typical mediterranean human being would appreciate it. To it some avocado, brussels, date with walnuts for the sweet and some sliced up Naga Morich. The Naga morich was taken out of the freezer. Yet it produces an immense heat that reminds one it will be wise to wash the hands before taking a piss. ( I burned my Mojo one time too many when handling the hot peppers).
How did this weird african,mediterranean, european michael dish taste? Superb! I got what I need out of it. Proteins, carbohydrates, nutritients...and yes...taste as well!

Enjoying whatever sun that is left..

2010-11-08T15:28:00.004+01:00

It is important in Sweden to enjoy whatever sun you get for free. Yesterday the sun was shining and it was a good day to do the burning off calories outdoor. Here are some pictures on top of a hill that I used as my personal natural exercise machine.

The exercise was walking up and down the "hill of Hammarby" a couple of times. I can feel that there will be some swedes chuckling by my english translation of "Hammarbybacken". Some good tension is felt in the butt after doing 3*4,5-5 mins walking up on the hill in a fast speed.

Speaking of calories. Did you know peppers increases the metabolical ability? This is apparently a common knowledge. I am the type of guy who do not like to accept common knowledge pheonomenon as a truth. As such I needed to see a real good source as a proof of this. I mean someone must have done a scientifical valid experiment?

I found one test result at = http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/92/5/1089?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=capsaicin&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Conclusion: After 1 mo of supplementation, dihydrocapsiate hada small thermogenic effect of 50 kcal/d, which is in the rangeof day-to-day RMR variability. In which RMR is daily metabolic rate.

In this article = Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 292: R77-R85, 2007. First published July 13, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00832.2005

" Capsaicin has been shown tobe effective, yet when it is used clinically it requires a strongcompliance to a certain dosage, that has not been shown to befeasible yet."

In this article = http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/89/1/45?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=capsaicin&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Conclusions: Treatment with 6 mg/d capsinoids orally appearedto be safe and was associated with abdominal fat loss. Capsinoidingestion was associated with an increase in fat oxidation thatwas nearly significant. We identified 2 common genetic variantsthat may be predictors of therapeutic response.

How much is 6 mg/day capsinoids? Good question, here the readers might be able to help.

I think I will stop here with this input. And let this be worked on as an issue further ahead in the future.

In my world, I do not care much about the effects from peppers on the weightloss. I have though a prejudice that some people are a bit too stressed from the norms of the culture and take whatever subject that have the keyword weight loss too seriously. That is sad. But it also a choice that we have to accept that other people make. What bothers me is that somewhere along the line, the truth were not as obvious as it seemed in the beginning.

I am, as a human being, more curious of the reality and the truth. And wondered why had the effects of the peppers been exaggerated? Could it be that there are forces of greed that has labelled the effects of this lovely product? I do not know. What I do know though is that my weakness in life is my curiosity. A childs curiosity within a grown man. That, and peppers of course.

Yours respectfully,

Michael Salemsson

The Athletes Choice and stuff you do when it is Autumn

2010-11-03T12:35:00.004+01:00

The athletes choice. A bed of tomatoes, red onion, 2 garlic cloves, cucumber and white cabbage. Over it you just put in a sloppy fashion a real good lasagne.
But the finishing touch is made by cutting some ridicolously hot chocolate Jolokia. Garlic is something I started to like more and more. I also have a feeling that there is either a placebo effect that I never get cold if I eat garlic often or a real effect. In either case I need to eat raw garlic at least twice a week. That stuff feels really healthy. Is it possible to still sow it ( indoors somehow?) Someone who have learned a lot about garlic from this year is my bud Janne Löfgren. Some info can be found on the issue at his homepage

http://ginflyer.chilipeppar.com/

Some other common activities you do in Sweden when it is Autumn.

You pick mushrooms with your friends. Here you see some of my friends in the forrest of Sörmland.

The mushrooms that is picked in late Autumn is called in Swedish "trattkantareller" in latin Craterellus tubaeformis or if you prefer the english version Yellowfoot, winter mushroom. The mushrooms are dried to concentrate the flavours and conservate for future projects.

Something that is very normal to do in Sweden and a common practice is to make your own mead. Me and my friend Patrik have made some mead with 6 kg honey bought at the farmers market in Stockholm. We made it a bit more sweet then normal. So it have to considered as a one shot dessert kind of mead. The mead is quite a treacherous liquid. It contains around 8 % of alcohol content but you can not easily feel it. Until the day after of course.

Question by Erna, regarding light discussion.

2010-10-28T14:31:00.009+02:00

Hiya Erna,

Erna asked me in an input which can be found in comments about what kind of light I use and perhaps even more, why?

Regarding light for plants. It is an issue that is well debated. And the gentlemen and ladies who are growing peppers have a difference of opinion when it comes to this subject. Lights for plants is and will never be a problem. That is if you have a lot of dollars in your backpocket and ready to invest some of them in a good light source.

If you like to have some form of echonomic thinking and also perhaps an enviromental thinking then a good suggestion will be to continue to read this pathetically large input.
I have chosen what kind of light I wanted to use for my plants with different aspects in my mind. Some key elements were important to me.

1) Plants will survive, adults as well as seedlings.

2) Echonomic factor.

3) Light therapy effect factor. Can light tubes used for plants be used for us humans?

4) Space and heat issues.

Plants will survive, adults as well as seedlings.

The fact that plant will survive both as adults as well as seedlings is without exaggeration probably the key element that is most important.If this plan is not fulfilled then we can kiss our precious hobby goodbye. I checked different pepper forums and went for 2*36 W light tubes that prooved to be sufficient. This was for seedlings and adults. I was not sure that it would be sufficient. But it prooved to be so.

Echonomic factor ( enviromental factor)

The echonomic factor can be important. Especially if your pockets are not overly stuffed with Dollar bills. While it can be so that some can create their own jungle with 600 W armatures. And maybe perhaps even design their own bizarre version of a tropical Amazonas in a snowy midwinter Sweden. Then some of us will simply not go for these luxurious fantasy plans. That due to the fact that high electrical bills will not be justified. But also because the enviromental factor will perhaps inhibit the conception of a vast indoor greenery . Do you want to have a jungle indoors during winter, or do you just want the plants to survive through the winter for the coming season? I went for the latter. The electrical bill was taken care of as well as having the ability to be able to say to future children ” Uncle Salemsson thought of the enviroment as good as he could. And he was not exaggerating with the electric consumption.”

What I do know is that the actions of my life will be judged by my concious when I lay at deaths door one day. It is inevitable should it not be so that I change personality somehow. The enviromental principle is not something we can be socially fanatical about. But it is a principle. I am a man of principles. And therefor important to me and perhaps even more so for future generations. I guess it is enough for politics in this input.

Light Therapy effect factor

Light therapy effect is a fun part to investigate. I actually invested 8-10 hours investigating this issue. It ended with me making an unexpected visit to Karolinska Hospital in Huddinge near Stockholm. I knew they had a light therapy room. I explained to the nurse and doctor that I just wanted to see what kind of light tubes they were using. Were they some kind of ”magical” light tubes? The background was that I have tried light therapy some years ago because of winter weariness. The effect of light therapy on me was when I tried it that it felt like 2-3 cup of coffees. But a funny side effect was that I wanted to go down to the lake of Drevviken to see if the pikes were copulating. Something I usually do at spring if time allows it. I obtained such a need through this side effect even though it was in January. Which made me speculate wether one of the possibilities was that it might be so that us humans ( subjective conclusion and should not be viewed as anything else but an opinion ) have some kind of Biowatch built within us. It felt like this Biowatch of mine was moving from deep midwinter to very early spring after the 8-9 th day of light therapy sessions. Though when you stopped going there the effect went away pretty fast. What I needed was the same type of light in my room and fulfil the fact that these light tubes are being useful for the plants. Huddinge Hospital light therapy room used 5500 K temperature light Tubes. The difference to that cave of light and my shady room is that they had like 24-30 light tubes while I have 2 of these. I let the enviromental and echonomical aspects be of a higher priority for me in my personal case. But it is possible I will buy another armature to replace my regular undesireable ceiling lamp.

Last year I did not felt any winter fatigue at all. I made an interpretation of my surrounding that year that a lot of other poor Stockholmers could have some trouble with winter fatigue. Though that was my interpretation of my own observation. I did not have that problem and will gladly try to continue to not to have it as a problem. As such, the method I used last winter before I will continue to use. I guess that growing peppers have a lot of good sides. This part in the input could be considered as the health part.

Space and heat is of course an issue.

People can create a jungle with as many lamps that is needed for such a cause. But question is if they wont get a heat problem. And maybe a space problem. Some will solve the problem of too much heat with having a heavy blowing fan. While that is one way of solving it. It is also a way of raising your electrical bill and using even more electric consumtion. The space problem is obvious and I will leave that subject.

My own conclusions lead to that I bought 2 *36 W light tubes having 6500 K ( they work good enough as a light therapeutical purpose if you use full day light spectrum). Its lumen were together like 7000-8000 Lumen ( can be read about here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumen_(unit) ). I know that I have checked what it was comparing to. If my memory dont fail me I think 100 000 lux ( 100 000 lumen/ m^2 ) is equivalent to a Swedish Summer day. With that said it means my light tubes are approximately like 1/12 of that.
All this lead to the fact that I bought an armature that did not emitt so much heat. 2 light tubes with 6500 K. The reason why I did not buy for example 4000 K light tubes is that I do not want to promote flowering purposes during winter season. I have no need of it. I just want my plants to be able to make sure it can produce energy for itself and not waste it on creating fruit. Focus should be, with poor light conditions, to maintain life in the plants. Other aspects are just plain hubris ( too weak of a joke attempt? Perhaps a sympathetic laugh at least? Moving on...)

A type of people that are very knowledgeable on this field happen to be, funny enough, the "Stoners". I read some forums. Their extensive detail descriptions about light for their precius cannabis plants surpass this input with an ease.

I hope this will answer some of your questions Eerna. Thanks for asking and stimulating my brain with questions.

Yours respectfully,

Michael Salemsson

The chiliblog

2010-10-27T22:47:00.002+02:00

The blog have a bit less input due to the fact that it is low season. But also for the fact I have preseason training for the next mountaineering expeditions. It consumes some time and requires some rest afterward. I will soon be a good boy and make some interesting inputs. Also the studies is taking some time. Make that a lot of studies.

Stratification of Sequoiadendron Giganteum ( mammutträd på svenska)

2010-10-13T22:27:00.006+02:00

Time to make it right this time. And time is the lead word for this post.
When it comes to growing up trees of the species Giant Redwood Tree ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron ) from seeds a specific stratification period will be required. I did my reading this time. Here is some background. Apparently the Giant Redwood Tree requires a cold period imitating the winter months in its natural habitat. This means that to be able to unlock the genetic code of the seeds, and to see some sprouting, one method is to have the seeds in cold temperature for 1-2 month ( there are a lot of opinions regarding this issue and this post should not be viewed as the ultimate recipe for success).

( Giant Redwood Tree in Yosemite USA )
Now, this can be done in different ways.
Option one)
It is to have the seed in a small container with soil. This after having let the seeds soak in water for 24-48 hours. Then you put a plastic bag around the container so the moisture wont let go and put the container in the fridge. Optimal temperature is supposed to be around 1-3 Celsius degrees. For those of you in USA it is 32 + x*1,8. In which is x is 1 to 3 Celsius degrees. More about Anders Celsius can be read here http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Celsius ( the cultural input taken care of with this link). Of course you have to make sure fungis do not take control of your precious treasure.

The second way. And the way I prefer it. It is to use the temperature of the season. Late Autumn is perfect for opening up the genetic lock of the Sequoia seeds. You do the same as above but put the container outside. The temperature will vary for sure. That is not an issue. But after you have let the container endure some cold for a month or two. You can take your precious container inside to imitate spring. The theory is that when the seeds feel the warmth after a LONG COLD period they will sprout. I confirmed this with my good friend James Bonet. We think this will be a good method. My regard to Milos, my job colleague for reminding me to make an input on this issue. Thanks Milos!

Now, you might ask yourself. " Michael, did you succeed with this method yourself?"
The answer to that is that I will know in 3-4 weeks.

Regarding sowing new seeds

2010-10-06T23:34:00.009+02:00

I have been asked from some readers by mail to make an input about when to sow pepper plants seeds. While I must admit, I do not have much empirical data to fall upon, I could make some simple conclusions. The answer would be, that you can actually sow whenever you want. That is, if you have sufficient artificial light or natural light to support the seedlings with. I myself need to sow my seeds pretty early, late October, early November. This due to very poor light conditions ( poor Janne, Mats and Patrik that has read this sentence like thousands of times?). I want the plant to be fully ready for the outdoor life. In my case, it takes time. I am not sure this input really helped. But the general answer would be sow whenever you want if you feel comfortable with the fact that you can support your plant with light. If you are not that comfortable on your light conditions and have the weird situation that you decided to grow peppers on the same degree as Scandinavian latitude. Then you might want to use the advantage of the seasons.

As you can see, I started my new season. Royal black, another ornamental. I sure hope it got some taste. I am looking for a good ornamental with good taste. I am open for suggestions from the readers regarding this issue.

By the way, I still dont know what this thing was that I found in the forrest when I was doing mushroom picking. I know that Janne teased me with the suggestion of "gränna polkagris". It does not bother me much not to know it. But when I look in my picture archive, it does!

I regret the fact that I did not dare to pick it up. But I had a very small wound and the neighbour daughter had a nose bleed that I attended to. I did not want to take any chances of touching something superpoisonous.

The Piementa De Neyde is goodbye..

2010-10-04T11:50:00.004+02:00

The Piementa De Neyde has been voted good bye. This due to space problem.
My first videoinput made by me. Hope you will enjoy it. Please make a comment if you liked the video or not. So I know if the readers want me to continue to make future videoinputs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G13iaYXXClU

Chile Pepper Eating varieties, give me suggestions!

2010-10-01T11:44:00.008+02:00

My humble readers, I need your aid. Last year I grew about 15 chile pepper varieties. In which some were of superior culinary quality. I must admit, two to three of these varieties attracted my taste buds in a to me unpredictable pathological fashion.

After having thought of the situation, by trying to analyze what it was more specifically that I liked. I realized, there were some factors that was distinguishable.

1. Strength of the variety. Wether it is important for everyone or not is hard to say. But subjectively I find it important. With that I mean that I grow a pepper variety not only for the taste, but I want to feel some kind of heat. I quickly fell in love with some of the hottest varietes such as B. Jolokia, Naga Morich, Chocolate Scotch Bonnet. Not out of a masochistical behavioristical pattern. But simply, because I love the heat. Meaning, to use old terminology, I am a Chilehead.
2. Taste/Aroma, speaks for itself? This is where the complexity comes in. This is where I need my humble readers help. This factor differs. I need to know what you like. You do not need to motivate it even. I would be happy and honored if you also motivated though.
3. Characteristic, some varieties have different characteristics. Like the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet have a smokey, sweety flavour and spread out its heat differently then the B. Jolokia for example. This is important to me. Because that means I know more specifically how I can use the eating variety in the dishes.

Number two and three go hand in hand.

There are also other factors that can be interesting to take into consideration before growing a specific eating variety. How attractive is the plant/pods? How productive is it? During what conditions? How easy is it to get up from seed to fully productive plant?

The list can be made pretty long. If I stick to the three mentioned above, then I hope, or believe we have a good base.

( Here we go presentation mode initiated)
My top three eating varieties.

1. Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( smokey, fruity, discrete initial heat inducing process, it can be considered as a good foreplay sexually)

2. B. Jolokia / Naga Morich ( Majestical heat, smashes right into your taste buds. Quite Aromatic as well)

3. Chocolate Jolokia ( Hot? Yes, Aromatic? Yes. Reason is why it is on third place is because I think it is a bit less hot then the B. Jolokia and less Aromatic according to my interpretation)

I checked different pepper forums of the top varieties people liked there. I saw that the scotch Bonnet varities were up as number one on some lists. Let me know what you think are best eating varieties?

Economy and hobby gardening in apartment.

2010-09-29T11:37:00.006+02:00

Time to start to think again and make some reflections on the economical figures of this plant growing hobby.

Book bought about chile peppers = 250 kr
Seed storage box = 200 kr
Lamp with ballast and bulbs = 700 + 200 = 900 kr
Seedling trays = 50 kr
Soil totally during one year = 60 + 80 + 80 + 100 = 320 kr
Bought plants = 3*100 kr
Sold plants totally = -1200 kr
Bought seeds = 400 kr
Fertilizer = 300 kr
Electric bills based on 15 hours/day with 72 W bulbs = 600 kr / year
Vermiculite and Perlite = 250 kr
Pots of different sizes = 300 kr
Sold fruits = -100 kr

Some of the figures like the electric bill have been exaggerated. I sure dont have the plant lamp on 15 hours/day whole year. But I am more out after a maximal cost for myself.

Down with maximal for 2010 = -2570 kr = -270 euros = -369 $.

I need to compensate the loss with not too much effort put into it. Only way is to sell plants or making sauces and selling them on a hobby basis?

Have bought seeds for next years chile pepper projects. Inclusive real bonsai projects.
Going organically when it comes to fertilizers. Have not found a reliable and suitable organic fertilizer when it comes to the P/K fertilizing. Good P/K fertilizer is essential in some cases when it comes to fruiting development. When it comes to Nitrogene it is easy. Diluted pee is the way to go economically. Notice, have yet not tried it indoors. With full potential that is. Need to try it in one pot for a specific time to evaluate eventual odour problems.

Next years economical figures:

Soil = 350 kr
Vermiculite and Perlite = 200 kr
Pots = 100 kr
Light bulbs = 200 kr
Electric bill (already taken care of, paid in advance) = 0 kr
Might need to buy another lamp, putting 200 kr at a side for it until lamp breaks = 200

Year 2011 = -1050 kr = 150 $ = 111 euros.

All this have to be in relation to the fact that I have actually also gained fruits with some economical value. The value of the fruits are itself a variable. And also the joy of learning something knew. Be it volountarily or involountarily. I have not given either of these factors any acknowledgement. This due to the fact that I am balancing it toward the time consumption ( which to be honest is very little).

Any comments, feel free to make an input. I made the calculations to point out that growing plants indoors as a hobby is a very cheap hobby indeed. Compared to many others like fishing etc. The other advantage is that you have your hobby in your room. You dont need to travel somewhere else. Another reason is why I post this input is that I have been asked this before but in real. Happy reading .

Seed storage..

2010-09-28T22:50:00.000+02:00

I am not sure how you guys organize your seeds. I bought this from the store and marked the drawers alphabetically. Feel free to make an input if you have a super good idea that you think this you must share on how to store seeds. The problem I have though is that the coffee filters I have been using are way too big to store seeds in. They take up too much space in the small drawers. I need like either small zip-lock bags or small paper bags of some sort. Ideas suggested are welcome.

I tried to buy zip-lock bags from Clas & Ohlsson in central Stockholm. The one in the "gallerian". The funny thing is that the salesman told me they had stopped selling any zip-lock bags under 3 litres. This due to the fact it attracted the wrong "clients". I was like ? Then he said " Well, junkees often need these bags for their drugs. Since we did not want them here we stopped selling the small zip-lock bags."

Computerproblem..

2010-09-27T17:30:00.002+02:00

I messed a little bit with the HTML code of this web page. My conclusions are that I messed a bit too much and that I am therefor not able to post any pictures on the page. Naturally, I could easily just change it back to the more standard versions. But I am not like that and I need to understand how the HTML code works so I can have the same layout and be able to put in pictures. I guess you could call me stubborn?

A reminder of UN Declaration Rights..

2010-09-21T22:25:00.016+02:00

I realize that this has nothing to do with peppers. But our feet stand on a planet that does not always focus on peppers. And as such we need to make some reflections with our eyes open. A small reminder for us humans about the importance of UN human right declaration. Be it if you are a from Gabon, Peru, USA, Spain, Japan or Indonesia. I think there should exist a compulsory test to see the knowledge we have of the human rights as according to the UN. In fact, we should maybe have it as a compulsory citizen test periodically. So we can develop peaceful ideas into people. For the ideas and thoughts are there. It is the reminding process that has been forgotten. We need to accept that we have a short term memory and long term memory. If not for us and our immediate attention, for our children and their future. This is just a small reflection. From a simple modest man with a simple dream about acceptance.

Sometimes, like the leaves of this Piementa De Neyde, even the same twig can have a variation of leaf colors. That is just fine and we need to accept that.

I proposed marriage to my Jolokias and broke monogamy rules without remorse.

2010-09-19T15:41:00.023+02:00

My chocolate Jolokia is flowering a lot.

Death in the shadows. The chocolate Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense ) really taste wonderful. But it is not as aromatic as for example the scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense ) varieties. The difference in comparison to the chocolate scotch Bonnet is that the Chocolate Jolokia has a deeper impact with its heat. Whilst the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet is more like a shallow aromatic impact. Both are doing their jobs though. Highly stimulating the endorphine production and the taste buds.

A single chocolate Jolokia Flower.

Here is a single B. Jolokia flower. I post it up so you guys can compare it to the Chocolate Jolokia. For those of you are real geeky ( = me ).

Here are a pair of B. Jolokia flowers. The B. Jolokia can have everything from 4 to 6 flower petals. I like this picture a lot. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

My B. Jolokia is still producing some pods. But they have become smaller and smaller. Not that I need more chile pepper fruits to be honest.

My cut down B. Jolokia. I will definately keep the B. Jolokia and Chocolate Jolokia. The Chocolate Scotch Bonnet is also a keeper in my book. I guess this is my first marriage. My past knowledge reminds me that science has divided nature into five kingdoms. Funghi, Plants, Animals, Protista and Monera. In my case I can state that I did not completely succeed with the marriage considering it was not even within the same kingdom.

My honorable readers might also have noticed that my Camera technique seem to have been improved lately. The fact is that I still have the same limited capacity of my ancient Digital Camera. What I have done is that I have enhanced its abilities with something called photoshop. Wonders of the world. Time to hit bed again and wait out the fever.

The purple Piementa De Neyde + the weirdest ( mushroom I saw for four weeks ago)

2010-09-18T20:10:00.009+02:00

My Piementa De Neyde ( Capsicum Chinense x Capsicum Annuum) looks more purplish then black. The taste was not documented before. Other pepper growers have found this variety to be yuck in taste. I think it is easy to make the misstake to dislike the taste of this variety if not harvested during the right time. I know that I harvested way too early and pod was a bit bitter. Something I do not value highly.

Typical flower of the Pimenta De Neyde. The colour of the flowers can vary slightly.

The stem lignifies over time. Changing colour from black to white. Pattern can be quite beautiful because of that. I am pretty sure it does not show that good on this picture though.

I have no idea what the hell this is. But it is a photo taken for three or four weeks ago when I was in the forrest picking mushrooms with the neighbours Daughter. The red dots were fluidy. The white thing was a bit spongy like a mushroom. I assumed it was a kind of mushroom back then. Maybe some of the reader have seen something similiar and can explain what this is? I welcome any good suggestion.

Time to hit bed and wait out this fever. I do it with the taste of some chocolate Jolokia and garlic in my mouth.

Ghost Rocoto and the Chocolate Jolokia Pod transition phase.

2010-09-18T19:42:00.010+02:00

Having a bit of fever and being ill in real. I realized that not all of the plants have received grandpas attention. Allow me to present to you a variety I am not particularly fond of. The reason of that is that I think it sucks taste wise. That said, I should inform the readers that this Rocoto is a popular variety. I call this one for Ghost Rocoto. It was supposed to be Rocoto Orange ( Capsicum Pubescens) . But looks more like a Rocoto Canario ( Capsicum Pubescens). The only thing I know for sure is that my taste buds do not approve of this variety.

The Chocolate Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense)
A mutant variety of the B. Jolokia. Very good taste 9 out of 10 for sure. Heat strength? Well, it is HOT ! The pod of this variety is helping me to kill whatever is in my mouth disturbing my economy, sleep and income possibilities.

Unmature Pod of Chocolate Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense)

The transition phase of a pod from unmature to mature state . Variety = Chocolate Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense). It seems as the time of the transition phase might also be depended on the size of the container ( except, warmth sunlight or light etc). But it could be my imagination. I have not documented it.

Fully mature Chocolate Jolokia Pod.

Transition phase of a pod of the 7 Pot ( Capsicum Chinense) species. It shows the letter C on the pod. As in Capsicum Chinense ! Thanks mr. Pod. I was unsure of what species your were.

My room, some pods and a possible Bonsai project..

2010-09-13T22:40:00.021+02:00

My room as it was a couple of days ago. I have two pretty big plants left whom I am not too sure of how to overwinter.

One of them is the plant with the dark leaves. My Pimenta De Neyde. It has not produced much fruits for me. I tasted one for a week ago.

A pod of the Pimenta De Neyde. I thought one month was good enough time for maturity. I was wrong. The fruit color did not help much either since the color remain the same all the time.

The pod does not mature as fast as they did back in June and July. I am waiting for them to feel soft to the touch before harvesting.

This pod is from the variety 7 pot ( Capsicum Chinense)

It is considered to be top four regarding hot peppers.
I call this specific pod for the "Van Gogh" Pod...
I just realize that might be enough symptom to lock someone into some kind of institution?

Pod was hot....real hot. I love it. When it comes to the heat of the 7 pot I can not say it is stronger then the B. Jolokia or Naga Morich. I do know one thing. The pods from the same plant have bigger variation in heat then by comparing the pods to the variety of Naga Morich or B. Jolokia. Basically what it tells me is that the heat stability of a plant is something that tend to fluctuate.

I can not say this often enough though. The strongest peppers are the ones which are tastiest. It does not mean one have to be masochistical and force oneself a whole pod. But taking a bit of it is enough for a good culinary experience. If the good taste experience will not occurr. Well, then it will be one hot culinary experience.

This B. Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense) will be turned into a bonsai this year. Or as uncle Jukka Kilppinen would call it, Bonchi.

I have cut it down during different stages. And still waiting for a protest from the plant. There has yet not been such a warning and as such the plant will get some more hair cut in the future. Just to increase the aesthetical qualities of the plant. All this to please us human beings.

The Heritage Of Herminya, year 1987....

2010-09-13T21:33:00.010+02:00

In the year 1987, I had not developed my first pubic hair and I looked like this.

In the year 1987 I doubt that the legendary chile pepper grower Mats Pettersson had graduated from the university.

Yet, some interesting events occured during that period.

My neighbour, whom I call "general Soto", moved to Sweden 1984.

( General Soto himself, enjoying a dinner)

With him he had his daughters and wife. Seeking a better life in the colder regions of this world.
I guess he got tired of getting tortured and needed to make some distance from past events and regime. Considering a disturbing political climate nationwise and internationally it is good to remind people of the reason why some people actually move from their native countries.

Enough politics.

When he moved to Sweden he realized that the swedes were not actually using the spices he was so accustomed to in Chile. But that did not disturb him so much. Not as it would do to a lady friend of him who was going to visit him.

The name of the Lady was Herminya. And the year was 1987. Herminya brought with her 20 Ristras of a pepper sort called "Aji". As a somewhat rather knowledgeable pepper grower, we do know that there exist quite a lot of "Aji" pepper varieties. So this is as close as it gets when it comes to identifying the variety.

Unfortunately, It came to be that this Herminya died 1994 in cancer. My neighbour, who is a very warm-hearted fellow, decided to keep a part of a ristra as a memory of her. Why he had actually left one ristra even 7 years after he had obtained the ristras I do not understand.

But 23 years later. In the year 2010, the year which I started to grow peppers seriously. It became so that my neighbour entrusted me part of this ristra.

He told me " This is my memory of Herminya. When someone brings me something. I usually keep it as a memory of that person. Especially if that person perishes. It would be interesting to see if you could actually get something growing out of this."

I thanked my neighbour for the trust. And initiated a sowing seed ritual of wich I had grown somewhat familiar to. This time, a feeling of awe was blended with curiousity. Seeds from a 23 year old pod. The Pod had been transferred over the Andes, the Atlantic Ocean and probably part of Europe. I myself was transported in the year 1984 from the middle east. Over the mediterranean to Sweden. Some weird circumstances has led one of the pods of this Ristra to get into a blind date with someone as me.

In a way it is a strange and beautiful world. In the year 1987 I had not developed my first pubic hair, nor do I think anyone could expect me be the one who carried some form of a legacy of the lady Herminya to the world. At least I did not. This "Aji" pod have had one interesting and long journey. Let us see if there is still some DNA willing to give a living legacy to this lady Herminya. I am sowing some seeds of this "Aji". In memory of my neighbours "amigo". This I do with hope and respect.

Long Slim Cayenne, Rocoto Orange and Chocolate Jolokia pod pictures.

2010-08-25T23:20:00.015+02:00

Rocoto Orange, (Capsicum Pubescens).
The pods of this species are really heavy compared to the other Capsicum Species.

Long Slim Cayenne (Capsicum Annuum)
I like the looks of the pods of this variety. Pod look is a bit unpredictable. The taste was not as good as the looks. But I dried one Cayenne and was surprised. Some pods just need right type of conservation to be fully appreciated. This one needs drying to my humble opinion.

Chocolate Jolokia (Capsicum Chinense) I am still a bit skeptical about this one. All unmature pods are very bright compared to the B. Jolokia Pods. The taste is about the same but less heat to my experience. But it differs from pod to pod.

I dont just grow peppers. The idea behind my growing hobby is to learn from it and to live of what nature can give you.

This pair belong to the species of ( Morus Nigra). I saw a Morus Nigra on the island of Gotland and got overexcited. I used to live of the berries from this tree when I was a small child. It definately was my favourite. I am having a ridicolous hope of transplanting one of these on my good friend Carls summer retreat. I know a good spot. But it will be done in two years or so. It still needs some growth. I should say Carl have his summer retreat 59 degrees north of the equator.

I also planted a blackberry Bush for two years ago. I am starting to get fruits and am a bit excited about it. It is not much. But it means a lot to me. Blackberries are also something I am very fond of. I guess you could say I like sweet things from nature. I of course, do not have space for such a bush. So I sneak planted this on municipal ground.
Hoping no one will care if I get a late September vitamine rush from an illegal planted Black Berry bush.

I also have a good tomato variety. This is a cherry tomato variety. Last year it produced 100 tomatoes for me. This year I was late and it is on 50. I like to pick one or two for breakfast. Good and easy vegetable source. Everyone should grow one. This variety have never been attacked by aphids for some reasons.

It is probably pretty easy to guess where I live. And where my plants have been most of the time this summer.

Time to get rid of some plants. Need to sell a Red Savina and a Caribbean Red.

2010-08-25T22:40:00.013+02:00

I have little space. And need to get rid of some plants since colder temperature is upon us. And I do not have the space required indoors. I simply have got rid of some plants that is worth selling.

This Piquin was bought my neighbour. I asked him if he wanted to buy and he was pretty quick to respond positively.
But before he got the plant I took my share of the pods for the future and also for some seasoning. I can strongly recommend Piquin. Easy to conserve the pods, just dry them. Pretty ok taste. Especially when dried.
The second plant he claimed for himself was this Bishops Hat in perfect condition. With around 30-40 pods still hanging. I took my share of pods for seeds so I do not go empty handed. I have maybe eaten around 20 pods from this plant for myself.

A friend from work also claimed one plant for himself. He wanted the real strong strong stuff and the Naga Morich is getting transported to his home tomorrow.

Unfortunately I still have some plants left that I need to get rid of. One is this Caribbean Red in a 1,5 litre container. I count up to 10 Pods hanging on it at the moment. I took around 5 pods for seeds and conservation. Selling price is 100 kr. Contact me on salemsson.michael@gmail.com
I have also two red Savinas. This one is in excellent condition with around 20 pods hanging in which 3 pods are mature. I am selling this one for 150 kr to someone who has some artificial light preferrably or intend to get it.

Some Pod Pictures.

2010-08-22T23:15:00.009+02:00

Piementa De Neyde ( Capsicum Chinense X Capsicum Annuum) got some variation of its pods.

7 Pod or 7 Pot ( Capsicum Chinense) pods close to maturity. I think it is a matter of one or two weeks. I have looked forward to taste this one. Will be very interesting to compare it to Chocolate Jolokia, B. Jolokia and the Naga Morich.

Experiment with chile peppers on the head. A pretty stupid idea.

2010-08-22T22:14:00.011+02:00

I must admit I have always been the experimental guy. Where others have been inhibited due to norms or hegemonical supression. I have been willing to try ideas that might seem reasonable. With that said, I tried such an idea for a week ago. The theory behind the idea was definately questionable, but I was still too curious about it. I was a bit ashamed to tell of it on the blog until now. The reason of that I decided to write about it. Is that I think there are some meaningful lessons to be taught from this risky, painful and rather stupid endavour.

I am starting to get bald in real. As such I was thinking, maybe an increase in blood circulation on the affected areas can somehow be used to slow down the baldness process? Or even better, get lost hair back? Even though it is not even reasonable theoretically I felt that I did not need more motivation. I sliced up a Red Caribbean ( scoville around 0,3-0,45 Megascoville). Then started to rub it in in my skull. Thoroughly.

What happened then is that I realized pretty quickly that I got more heat then I could ever imagine. It is one thing to get a chile pepper in the mouth. Most of my taste cells are probably burned out or something. But having it on the skull was even worse then getting it on the "mojo". I was in furious pain. I normally do not panic. But the situation was dire. Neighbour rushed in to help. My head was under ice cold shower. I had a towel around my face to try to avoid any water "trickling into my eyes" and cause more damage then necessary.

My neighbours mom had grown up during the world war II. She had the calmness needed in this situation. She took some soured milk and put it in a towel and bathed my head in it. It took off some heat for 1-2 minutes. But then we changed the towel and repeated the sour milk process.
This whole burning procedure continued for about 30-50 minutes. In the beginning I was just using water to remove the unsufferable heat from the skull. But then that was not enough and the sour milk process was initiated.

All of all 2 litres of sour milk was used to save my skull and the need of calling for an ambulance. I am serious when I write this. The pain on the head was ridicolous.

When most of the heat had reduced it felt like having had sex for 3-5 hours a hot summer day.

My mind and body was physically exhausted. But I also had a tremendous endorphine kick of my lifetime. I just needed to lay down and forget about the world for a while.

Red Caribbean chile pepper are not supposed to be rubbed in the head. That is for sure.

Harvest time...

2010-08-22T21:48:00.011+02:00

Time to harvest my Beastly Chocolate Scotch Bonnet.

The plant to the left have done two things. One is to produce a massive amount of Pods. I think I got up to 80 pods out of this plant. Meaning I have mr Wilbur Scoville as a dinner guest for some years ahead. All I need to do is to take some pod meat out of the freezer.
The second thing it did, was to burn my hands and my "mojo" today. I am not sure if it did so intentionally or not. In either case some of my limbs are burning up. And it is a quite unpleasant experience.

I can not be blamed to be a good photographer. What I can do for you is to try to write some
useful or interesting inputs. So you guys have to bear with me on my photo skills .

The pods on the Plate is Naga Morich Pods. The two funny pods in the left corner are Bishops Hat. They ended up in my stomach shortly after this photo. The red pods in the right corner are Red Savina pods. And the brown ( 3 were more blackish) are the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet pods. All are of the Capsicum Chinense species, except the Bishops Hat that is Capsicum Baccatum.

Making the first sauce..."sweet kiss from the tropics"

2010-08-10T18:47:00.023+02:00

Time to get serious. Conserving chile peppers in one form or another is part of a growers job. Having a good plan for that is equally essential as the growing part. Picking chile peppers are also important. Timing is everything here. Having the peppers hanging on the plants for too long can seriously damage flavour and affect the strength. Sometimes it increases the strength, but I have experienced decrease in strength as well. That was the case with Piquin.

I looked up a good recipe from a famous chile pepper book. Being kind of experimental I decided I would use my own imagination a bit.

I would make a sauce based on 3 Naga Morich, 2 long slim Cayenne, 11 chocolate scotch Bonnet, and 2 red savinas. This would become one hot sauce. But hopefully still useful.

The recipe that inspired me was this one below. Though I modified it by adding 2 banans and a peach instead of carrots.

First part is to preserve the seeds. Here you can see 2 Naga Morich has been opened. These pods was 5 cm each. Pretty good. Interesting to notice that some seeds was blackish. No idea if black seeds mean no germination seed. I will save some to explore that question in the future.

I chopped a lot of chile peppers, taking out the seeds and preserving them in coffee filters for the future. This is one hot plate infront of me. Using protecting gloves when handling these type of chile fruits, and the amount of it, feels just....right somehow.

A vital part in making sauces is to have sterile containers. A simple glass container was put in the water and put on the heater. Time to kill some bacterias and spores. Byebye my sweet little friends. But I dont want you in my coming sauce.

Notice that the head of the blender was also put into the boiling water. All one need to think is to keep as much as possible sterile.

I followed the recipe and put everything in one cooking pot. I let the whole mixture simmer. Unfortunately this was one part I could not document. Because the kitchen was filled with what felt like very toxic fumes from the pot. Even though I used a lid. I had to go out to get some air.

But after the mixture was boiled, vinegars and lemon juice and honey was added. The sauce was complete when I had pureed it with my blender. In this process I used my chemistry protecting glasses.

The kitchen got a bit messed up in this 2 hours sauce making process.

After cooking and cleaning the result ended in a fruity, sweet banana-flavoury sauce. The strength is hidden within this strange concontion. But after 1 second it strikes around in your mouth and you are wondering where the heck does all this strength come from. This is a very hot fruity creation of mine.

The name was obvious. "Sweet kiss from the tropics" Written on a coffee filter that has been cut.

But somehow, I felt something was missing.

A final touch as a salute to my first sauce.

Time to investigate the neighbours make-up box.

This one will do.

Some small sacrifices have to be made to live a truly artistic life.

There we go. The first sauce. Just needed a final touch on the label.

I am not sure how long this sauce will hold. But it is in the "fridge". Thanks to the honey and the acidic enviroment from both the vinegar and lemon juice rumour says it should hold a couple of months.

I certainly need minimum of that time to even consume half of this deadly hot sauce.

The Explosive Ember ( Capsicum Annuum)

2010-08-04T20:22:00.003+02:00

The explosive Ember is said by some to be one of the most stunning chile pepper plants. It will be interesting to see if this plant lives up to its rumour.

The Prolific Abilities Of The Naga Morich.

2010-08-04T20:11:00.010+02:00

Looks nice, The right branch to the left.

The left branch down. I like the colors of the different maturity stages.

Here is also a picture of the whole plant. The whole plant has 20 Pods ( +4 pods that I have consumed ). All from a 3,5 litres container. Considering that one pod can be enough for one week of cooking for one person I think it is an ok production.

Taste of Caribbean Red ( Capsicum Chinense)

2010-08-01T11:00:00.008+02:00

In the chile pepper Database it says " The slightly wrinkled chiles are approximately 1 inch wide by 1.5 inches long and are similiar in shape to the Habanero. The chiles ripen from lime green to a brilliant red in 110 days and are produced on very productive plants that reach 30 inches tall. As well as the blistering heat, they have a lovely fruity flavour which makes them an excellent choice for use in salsa's, marinades and of course, in hot sauce."

Now, let us admit something. The taste of the pods depends on the growing conditions. It might be so that the Caribbean Red tastes deliciously, on the island of Jamaica and Trinidad Tobago. And that the scandinavian turf does not give any aromatic essences. I do not know.

What I do know is that my ripe Caribbean Red was an ok Habanero kind. But I could not feel any spectacular fruity flavour. On the other hand I have only tested one pod. Knowing that each pod can have unique flavours I will be a bit more patient with the judgement . At this moment this plant will not be a keeper in my book. I much more prefer B. Jolokia/C.S Bonnet and the Naga Morich. In which C. S Bonnet is definately a must.

Fruits of Pimenta De Neyde

2010-08-01T10:51:00.006+02:00

At last I have obtained some fruits on the Pimenta De Neyde. If it will continue to produce pods I might be interested in it as a breeding material. Otherwise I will look into different varieties to cross.

Fruits On The Black Rose Of Chile Peppers, Pimenta De Neyde.......

2010-07-31T13:27:00.007+02:00

I am very happy to say that my dazzling Pimenta De Neyde have set some fruits. I was on my way to work when I did my routine check on the plants and noticed the pods. I have experimented like crazy for 2 months with this mulish plant. And now it is finally setting some fruits. I feel gratified and relaxed now. This also means that all my chile pepper plants have set some fruits except a capsicum pubescens by the name of Turbo Pube. But I doubt that the latter is a specimen that is difficult to achieve some fruits on . The occasion will need some celebration of some form. Perhaps a quarter of a glass of a good single malt will be enjoyed tonight. In honour of this beauty from Brazil, The Pimenta De Neyde. Which also can be described as the "black rose of the chile peppers". Being maybe the only pepper fruit out of thousand different specimens that is black/dark purple throughout its whole lifetime.

Pictures will be posted soon. Depending on the amount of work in real.

Test of Chocolate Scotch Bonnet with a Shrimp-risotto

2010-07-28T20:32:00.002+02:00

Let me first say that the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet is probably my favourite chile pepper fruit when it comes to good flavour. It has pretty good heat ( around 0,5 Mega scoville) but also quite a complex taste. The taste differs from pod to pod. Which makes every pod out of my 40 pods hanging on the plant quite interesting.

Today I made an attempt of creating a shrimp-risotto. Sad to say I was not that generous with the cream so it was more like a rice dish. On the other hand I saved on the calories.

In any case I must admit that Chocolate Scotch Bonnet with shrimps was quite a bizarre combination.You can feel that some C.S Bonnet fruit have some kind of a smokey flavour. Not all, but some. When it was mixed with the risotto and the shrimps you got the dimension of that the shrimps obtained some smoke flavour with a very good heat. I honestly must emphasize the fact that this fruit is a must for us chile pepper lovers. Adding thyme and lemons with this dish made this plate to one of the best meals I have had for some time. Question is whom I thank for this lovely meal? I certainly am no cook. I think we must be humble and give our credits to the ingredients that was in the dish.

The recipe for turkish köfte, as requested by Janne.

2010-07-26T20:28:00.005+02:00

0,5 kg ground beef

1 boiled potato that you grate with a grater

Finely chopped parsley ( arbitrary amount really)

2 garlic cloves finely chopped

3 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon turmeric

Arbitrary amount of black pepper

Half a teaspoon of cumin

You can add a 1/4 of a chocolate scotch bonnet for super hot köftes. Or 1/6 of a Naga/B. Jolokia.

Mix everything together with your hands so it is well blended. You can add a little bit of lemon zest to add some aromatic flavours. Or a bay-leaf then take it out. Let it stay in the fridge for 30-50 minutes just to let the taste go along with each other a bit. Then you just form miniburgers the size of your flat hand ( exclusive fingers) and fry it up. Be gentle with the heat from the stove due to the flour. It can easily get burned up otherwise.

The taste of Naga Morich and also the Long Slim Cayenne

2010-07-22T22:52:00.007+02:00

Ok, it is time....

This pod of pure fire that goes by many names has an initial piece written in the chile pepper database like this "Naga Morich meaning 'snake or serpent Chile’ is an apt name for this ferociously hot variety as eating even the smallest slither of one of these pods is described by some as like drinking cobra venom!!".

It was time for me to taste this well reputated pepper fruit. It is one of two fruits that has been considered to have Nuclear Heat. This Naga Morich fruit was taken with a pasta dish and some meat.

I must admit, I have lost some respect for the hottest peppers in the world a bit. This due to the fact that I have increased my own resilience to hot dishes. The Naga Morich could be considered rather similiar to the B. Jolokia. I would say that the fruit body of all my Naga Morich is a bit waxier then the B. Jolokia.

The taste does not feel as aromatic as the B. Jolokia. It is, or could be, a bit weaker then the B. Jolokia. But I have not got up to the part of the fruit where the seeds are at. In either case, I am more happy with the stronger peppers when it comes to taste and aroma. This is definately a must try out for you pepper lovers. It has gone some hours and I can still feel a bit of it in the stomach spreading a soothing heat in the abdominal part. That is actually weird. I did not think of it until I made this input in the blog. But it is true. It has a soothing heat in the stomach even 2 hours after ingestion. Rather interesting. I hope it can be considered positive.

The long slim cayenne is all about getting strength in the food. But that is according to my mouth . There are probably those conoisseurs who can feel the taste of earth, ginger, a bit of strawberries, some sunflowers and blahablah...within a pod of long slim cayenne. I must admit, I could not discern even the slightest hint of anything else but strength. The pod was eaten with some turkish köfte.

Postponed input in the blog due to a trip to the alps.

2010-07-20T17:25:00.036+02:00

There are two reasons why the blog had not been updated for an embarassing long time. One of them is because I was in Chamonix, France.

This picture is 1 mile or so from Mount Blanc. Look at my happy face.

The second reason is that my mind was preoccupied with some other hot stuff from this planet. Rating on a totally different scale then the regular Scoville Scale for chile pepper fruits. Mind you, these hot stuff does not grow up from mother earths soil as regular chile pepper plants. Even though you could indirectly claim that they need nutrients as well.
Enough with these politically incorrect phrases, duty calls. As Martin wrote in swedish...." some pictures god damn it."

As your humble servant, that is shall be.

Picture of the Red Caribbean ( CapsicumChinense) mature fruit. This plant is only in 1,5 litre container.

Have not tasted yet.

Bishops Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum)

Mature fruit of the Bishops Hat. I like the look of this plant. Lots of seeds in one pod. Taste is so-so.

Piquin ( Capsicum Annuum)

The taste of mature Piquin tastes almost weaker then non-mature. I have tested 5-6 or so. The mature piquin contains some sweetness. Whilst the unmature green one tastes like a jalapeno but with a bit more bitterness and definately much more strength.

Rocoto Orange ( Capsicum Pubescens)

I am surprised to see that my Rocoto has set some fruit.
That was definately unexpected. Pot container for this one is also 1,5 litres. These will be interesting to taste.

7 Pod ( Capsicum Chinense)

This beast is said by some to be even hotter then the famous B. Jolokia. Thanks to mr Bumblebee my plants are setting fruits quickly. I have some thoughts that possible crossing can affect the strength. Who knows in what direction. Remember that the B. Jolokia contains some ( Capsicum Frutescens) along with the (Capsicum Chinense). We will see how this tastes.

Long Slim Cayenne ( Capsicum Annuum)

The pods of this plant was tasted. Both mature and unmature. I would say that there is some strength in it. About the same as the Piquin. However there was not much flavour of it unfortunately. I am not unhappy or unsatisfied with this plant. Because it has pretty cool looking pods of different shapes. And they are beautiful to look at. However the taste is not a sensation. This of course, being a subjective matter.

The Red Savina ( Capsicum Chinense)

I am happy to say this one is flourishing in the swedish july sun as well. Along with the help of the bumblebees I am getting some amount of fruits on this one.

Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense)

Beautiful to look at. Extremely good taste. A depth in the taste with a strength that is subtile at first but increases with time. I am very happy to say that this plant with these fruits are a real superb choice. A lot of pods can be produced. And the taste......the taste...yum yum....

N a g a M o r i c h ( Capsicum Chinense)

I am sorry to say this. But I have yet not tasted the Naga Morich. One pod is extremely mature and soft to the touch.
I need to come up with an idea to conserve these fruits of death. Or perhaps sell some of them in Stockholm? To people who are not too afraid of some heat. One fruit is probably good enough for a week of cooking to one individual.

The plant contained much more pods then I expected when I returned from my Alp trip.

The Piementa De Neyde ( Capsicum Chinense x Capsicum Annuum)

This Beautiful plant.... is beautiful. But there it stays unfortunately. Representing the only plant that has yet not set fruit for me ( not taking my smaller plants in the count).

I also have some suspicious feeling that my Casanova mr Bumblebee do not secretely make love to this plant. For some reason, the bumblebees is not acknowledging the presence of this plant Why? I do not know. Perhaps a treat of honey near the flower petals will lure the silly flying bug servants of mine to visit this beauty from Brazil, south america. All ideas are good in this case. Crossing my fingers for this one.

Ripe Pod of Red Caribbean

2010-07-07T23:06:00.002+02:00

Today the first Caribbean Red got fully clothed in a blood red dress. Let us hope the pod tastes as organic as the sound of its color. Pics will come later. But it is past bed time now.

The death of Sequoiadendron Giganteum ( mammutträd in swedish)

2010-07-07T08:46:00.003+02:00

For some stupid reason, the second "Sequoia" died. The reasons for that is unknown. My friend James Bonet, an evolutionary biologist thought that the small pot of 1,5 litres can be a reason for these mysterious deaths. I myself have my doubts. The ones with the correct answer to that question died unfortunately.

This leaves me with some pondering to attend to. Why does the Sequoia die so easily? One common factor is that both my "Sequoias" sprouted from the same pot. A first step is that I will change the pot to a bigger container, along with the soil. This time, I will also refer to a more scientific method. The usage of litterature, preferrably from the worlds biggest library. The internet.
Hopefully, the studies of some homepages will resolve this matter. For the need of growing the largest tree in the world. As a symbolic gesture of my love to nature, is far greater then I could imagine when I started the hobby. It is almost an obsesseive thought, that have grown inside of me parallell to the chile growing hobby.

It can also be viewed as an symbolic ecological act. To grow something that can accumulate as much carbon dioxide as possible. It may take some thousands years for the Sequoiadendron Giganteum tree to grow to its full potential. But at least, our children and grand children know there were some maniacs who were thinking in long term perspective. And that some of their aimless frustration for not having everyone to think of the enviroment was to take action, by growing trees.

Mr Bumblebee, the secret Casanova.

2010-06-30T19:36:00.026+02:00

Chocolate Jolokia ( a supposed mutant variation of B. Jolokia, Capsicum Chinense) Pod.

Maturity date 2010-06-27.

The chocolate Jolokia in its unmature state is, based on this sole plant I received from Patrik, paler then the B. Jolokia unmature Pod.

The difference in its mature state is that the Chocolate Jolokia is chocolate coloured. And the B. Jolokia is red/dark red . Depending on how long the B. Jolokia pod has stayed on the plant.

I must recommend the variety Piquin. It is a good beginner plant. Notice that the pods always seems to be aiming for the sky. All the pods are standing "erect". A main characteristic of the species (Capsicum Frutescens).

The Pequin belongs to the Capsicum Annuum though. Somehow, I feel that I need to get a pretty good answer why it should not belong to the Capsicum Frutescens.

One of my side projects. A tree by the name of Morus Nigra ( Mullbärsträd in Swedish). Planted 18/3/2010. I have some hope that this one might manage itself in the forrest of Sörmland At the country house of my good friend Carl Godhe.

He has perfect conditions for it. All one must do during winters is maybe to protect the roots by placing spruce branches around the base of the stem of the tree.

Ripe Naga Morich ( Capsicum Chinense) Pod. Cousin of the B. Jolokia. This one has been ripe for some time. I have some hope that I have documented the time of maturity of the pod in a previous input on this blog. But I know it have had the colour of red for almost 3 weeks or so.

The Naga Morich Pod is much more waxy compared to the B. Jolokia Pod. I would say there is a difference regarding the waxiness. The Pod Shape can differ so much, even on the same plant. So I would not say there is much difference there.

To the left, some unmature Naga Morich Pods. I have obtained seven on this plant. Which brings me to the subject of the title to this input.

I must admit, I am not the lazy type. I am working really hard in real. And on many fields.

As such, I have to confess that I have not had much opportunity to conduct to the weekly routine of pollinating the flowers.

So I was a bit surprised when I obtained more and more pods.

Here is a picture of a minor explosion on another plant. This is the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense). It was said that this one is prolific. Proof is my own plant. It has around 40 pods now. But I can not take credit of these results, even though I have pollinated this plant before, many many times.

I feel that these unexpected results have to be credited to someone else. Someone whose main purpose, out of the plants perspective, is just to pollinate.

Say "Hi" to mr Bumblebee.

Mind you, he is a bit shy infront of the camera. But you can catch a glimpse of him to the right in the picture.

The presence of mr. Bumblebee, or Casanova as I call him, means that I can kiss my previous crossing project goodbye. I did not expect our pollinating friends to regularly pay a visit to my garden of eden on my balcony. So I have not glued any flowers I have pollinated. As such, they are now contaminated.

It also means I can kiss the paintbrush business goodbye for now.

And expect a stupendous crop of pods. Thanks to mr Bumblebee, alias Casanova of the chile pepper plants.

Now to another side project.

The plant to the left means more to me then any other plants I have in my stock.

It is the legendary Sequoiadendron Giganteum. Germination time on this one is 105 days. The last one who had a germination time of 93 days died. May thee rest in peace brother. May this one live longer.

This is a picture of a chile pepper plant that I sowed 6/6/2010. Explosive Ember ( Capsicum Annuum). It is an ornamental variety.
I think it is a good idea to sow some ornamentals for the late autumn period. If it is an Capsicum Annuum variety with some "speedy Gonzales" in it. One can perhaps get some pods out of it.

Picture of one of my two Rocotos. This is a flower of the Turbo Pube ( Capsicum Pubescens)

As my humble readers have noticed. The shyness from the Bumblebee seems to be infectious and this flower has decided to obscure its innerself from the camera.

Here is a picture of the Rocoto Orange ( Capsicum Pubescens).

Looks like an octopus with 2 long catching arms.

I need to support this one badly. Maybe it will be done. Maybe not. Who knows....I certainly dont.

The Caribbean Red ( Capsicum Chinense).

Lots of Pods for a 1,5 litre container. All thanks to natures own Casanova. Mr BuMbLeBeE.

Bzzzzz......bzzzzzz...........I like the sound of that around my chile pepper plants. I certainly like to hear that instead of these dreadful Vuvuzelas in the world cup of football.

Imagine a bumblebee with the sound of Vuvuzela. Horrible thought.

I think the Bumblebees have been pollinating my Long Slim Cayenne as well.

Weird curl and curves on these pods.

My Bishops Hat is doing good. I noticed the Bumblebee visited this one too. Meaning I can have a possible crossing between Bishop Hat/Red Caribbean/Red Savina/Chocolate Scotch Bonne/Piquin/Long Slim Cayenne.

The rest of my plants are a bit displaced and can not cross with the ones above.

I officially want to thank mr Bumblebee for a much improved crop, even though it means my crossing project has gotten a rather nasty thorn in its side. To be able to breed new varieties, I must come up with a plan that can outsmart natures prime pollinators.

Growth Log IV

2010-06-19T08:56:00.014+02:00

Bishop Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum)

Height: 80 cm
Width: 80cm

Size of Container: 10 litres Terra-Kotta
Amount of flowers: 2
Amount of Pods: 18 in different maturity stages. None have obtained any color. Date of first fruit 2010-05-16. Oldest Pod = 34 days.
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest: 1

Comments: This plant is aiming all its focus on its fruiting stage. The width part has increased with 20 cm in one month. Plant has tried to get taller but the fruit weight pull it down, thus a wider plant.

Piquin ( Capsicum Annuum)

Height: 45 cm
Width: 70 cm ( on its widest place)

Size of container: 3,5 litres plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 170 + - 30
Amount of Pods: 45 +- 8 ( oldest pod age = 24 days)
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest: 2
Comments: Productive plant. Good beginner plant. One have to start a bit early regarding this plant. It takes some time to germinate it. I personally like the look of this plant. The leaves are small and it gives the plant a look of a small tree.

B. Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 40 cm
Width : 65 cm

Size of container: 3,5 litres plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 20 +- 5
Amount of Pods: 10
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest : 9
Comments: Fresh B. Jolokia Pod is really really good. It is also economically justified. One pod can sustain one person for about a week cooking. You dont need much to spice up an arbitrary dish. Having a B. Jolokia plant is actually a time investment which can be considered smart regarding the usage you can have for the pods. But that is my humble opinion and probably do not apply to everyone.

Chocolate Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 65 cm
Width : 80 cm
Size of container: 12 litres plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 20 +- 5
Amount of Pods: 4
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest : 8
Comments: Have not pollinated this plant much. I am not out after much fruits. I am more out after the knowledge about the plant. How hard it is to pollinate, the taste of the pods etc.

Naga Morich ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 45 cm
Width : 60 cm
Size of container: 3,5 litres plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 5
Amount of Pods: 3
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest : 6
Comments: The biggest pod of Naga Morich is bigger then the biggest B. Jolokia Pod. I have previously given a reasonable explanation for that. I am looking forward to continue the comparison with the B. Jolokia when it comes to pod taste.

Red Savina ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 45 cm
Width : 55 cm
Size of container: 3,5 litres plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 30 +- 8
Amount of Pods: 0
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest : 7
Comments: I have pollinated this one several times. But due to poor light conditions it has failed.

Caribbean Red II ( capsicum chinense)

Height: 20 cm
Width : 50 cm
Size of container: 1,5 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 20 +- 5
Amount of Pods: 3
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiest 10 = hardest : 4
Comments: Seems easy to pollinate. I like the fact that it manages well in the small container.

Long Slim Cayenne ( capsicum annuum)

Height: 55 cm
Width:40 cm
Size of container : 3,5 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 10
Amount of pods: 8
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiet 10 = hardest : 3
Comments: Pods can have different shapes and curves on this one. Looks pretty funny.

Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height:80 cm
Width:105 cm
Size of container : 12 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: a LOT ( maybe 100 ?)
Amount of pods: 5 ?
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiet 10 = hardest : 5
Comments : At LAST, success!! I have been working hard on to get fruit on this one. Now when I pollinate it it seems much easier then before. Must be the Nitrogene running out and plant is interested in blooming/fruiting stage now. I thought it was hard to pollinate at first. But the pollination difficulty is depended on what kind of stage the plant is in.

Pimenta De Neyde (Capsicum chinense x capsicum Annuum)

Height: 90 cm
Width: 40 cm
Size of container : 12 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 10
Amount of pods: 0
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiet 10 = hardest : 8
Comments: I think this one shows the same problem as the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet did. It has too much Nitrogene in the soil and aims for growth. It is a matter of time when that business is done. As soon as the Nitrogene has expired I have promised myself not to do the misstake to boost a plant with too much Nitrogene.

Seven Pod ( capsicum chinense)

Height: 55 cm
Width: 20 cm
Size of container : 3,5 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 0
Amount of pods: 0
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiet 10 = hardest : unknown
Comments: This plant was at my neighbour. Due to very favorable light conditions. I can present some raw data. I have a seven pod on my window seat that sprouted at the same time. That one is 15 cm tall. This one is 55 cm. Good light = good growth. No doubt about it.

Rocoto Orange ( Capsicum pubescens)

Height: 30 cm
Width: 100 cm
Size of container : 1,5 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 0
Amount of pods:0
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiet 10 = hardest : unknown
Comments: This is also one of my plant that was at my neighbour due to poor light conditions at my home. Notice the abnorm width in relation to the height. I need to support this one badly. Due to the world championsship in football. This has not been done yet.

Pirri-Pirri ( Capsicum Frutescens)

Height: 20 cm
Width: too small to be measured.
Size of container : 3,5 litre plastic container.
Amount of flowers: 0
Amount of pods: 0
Pollination difficulties from 1-10 1 = easiet 10 = hardest : 1
Comments: I obtained some seeds from my friend Carl. This is an extremely prolific plant which gives pods easily. It can manage poor light conditions too. So I needed to try this. I am looking forward to test the plant during bad conditions. To see how good it can manage it.

My mother tasted a bit of the B. Jolokia

2010-06-14T16:10:00.008+02:00

I said "Mom, taste this small bit."
"If you taste it first ......go ahead" she said with a grin on her face.

I took a nibble and tried to hide my real feelings with all my will. A blank expression was the only emotion revealed by my face. My mom looked puzzled. As if waiting for an indication of what the strongest fruit in the world is really capable of. Then I said "See, there is no problem. I will even give you a smaller piece" I offered her a bit of the B. Jolokia in a friendly manner.

My mom who grow up in real rough conditions having gone through war and everything could
not deny the challenge. Her pride was too strong. I knew it. The trap was set. She took a piece and put it on the tongue. What happened after was some surprisingly quick action from
a 55-year old lady. She spit the piece of Jolokia out on the floor. Run to the sink in the kitchen.
In a fluid motion she opened the water tap and started to gulp the water greedily.

Then she turned at me, her eyebrows furrowed, her eyes glaring angrily at me. " What the HELL was that??????" She said, holding her lips in agony.

I myself was giggling my ass off. She actually took a bit that was less then 0,5 mm in size. I asked her innocently " You mean it was too hot to be used in cooking???"

Sequoiadendron Giganteum ( Giant Redwood Tree)

2010-06-14T10:55:00.003+02:00

I sowed some seeds of the infamous Sequoiadendron Giganteum. More commonly known as the giant redwood tree. This was done 18/3/2010. I am happy to say that 93 days later ( around 3 months later) it reached out its hands from the soil.

This, of course, has nothing to do with chile pepper plants.

The Verdict Of The Bhut Jolokia

2010-06-14T10:18:00.009+02:00

It is time...........

The Plant has some mature fruit going on. The important procedure of seed collection can begin. Along with that, the more uncertain experiment of tasting the B. Jolokia.

A pair of scissors. Along with 2 plastic bag/gloves is needed to cut up the fruit.

I dont want to cut the fruit with my hands and then "accidentally" hold my "mojo" while taking a piss. Especially not when it comes to cutting up the hottest chile pepper fruit in the world. Precautional method when working with this devil fruit is essential.

Attacking the plant with my tools........all I need is one fruit. The one that is getting a bit soft. The fruit age is 55 days old exactly. And the plant age is approximately 200 days old.

My B. Jolokia is a bit restricted. It lives in a 3,5 litre container. Pod size is thereafter. This is actually the biggest pod on the plant. It is 3,5 cm long.

Cutting the Pod open. I was a bit eager to see how
many seeds I could get from the pod. After a count I got 16 seeds from this pod. Realizing I have 12 fruits going on and those fruits are smaller. Then a reasonable estimation of amount of seeds should be 12*7 = 84 seeds. Let us make it approximately 60 seeds from my B. Jolokia plant to be on the safe side. I got enough seeds for friends and for myself to next season should I want to plant this devil bush again.

Time to taste this "dragon breath" fruit.

I quickly made up my mind to start only with small bits of pieces. That way to avoid a hospital visit. Just in case....

I put totally a quarter of the B. Jolokia fruit in my Pasta Bolognese. The heat was remarkable to say the least. But the taste was surprisingly very very very..........good.

That amazed me most. The intense taste from a fruit that you just have picked. I can not describe the satisfying sensational feeling I got out of it. You felt a delicate freshness with a mixture of a "scud missile" hitting your lips. The one thing I can do is to recommend you to try it.

I would start with very small pieces first though. To get a feeling of how much one needs. In my case 1/4 was quite a lot. I realize it now because my stomach goes " Hey, what the heck is going on??".

With some bad luck, I might be shitting blood tomorrow ?????

Fruit of Chocolate Scotch Bonnet

2010-06-14T10:15:00.003+02:00

Here is the picture proof of the C. S Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense) fruit . Plant has 3 fruits going on. Will be more with more pollination.

Chocolate Scotch Bonnet fruit

2010-06-12T22:26:00.000+02:00

Officially got fruit of the variety Chocolate Scotch Bonnet.
2010-06-11. Was about time. The plant probably dont have that much
Nitrogene left in the soil? Lots of flowers on the Chocolate Scotch Bonnet.
Funny thing is that the B. Jolokia who had a lot of flowers before now
has like 10 flowers going on at most. It is probably focusing on its fruiting
stage only.

Chocolate Jolokia Pods

2010-05-30T22:32:00.006+02:00

As usual, you always forgot some plants. Here is the Chocolate Jolokia. Two fruits are showing on this picture. They are pretty whitish. More pale then the B. Jolokia pods. Might be because of local condition.

Here it shows with the real amount of fruits. Four to be precise.

Finishing it off with this picture. How many pods on this picture?

Answer will be in my comment.

Mature B. Jolokia Pod and some other unmature pods.

2010-05-30T16:30:00.029+02:00

Above are pictures of a B. Jolokia Pod in its mature version.

Let us define what a mature pod is. Well, a mature pod is when the plant changes the color of the pod from green ( normally) to an arbitrary color. It is a "go ahead signal" to whatever species that is supposed to spread the seeds to make itself helpful. The plant is ready now and the pod can be considered Mature . But, as a chile pepper grower, we can certainly argue about different levels of maturity of the Pod. In nature, the plant decides that by giving a visual signal. I have about 12 pods on this B. Jolokia in a 3,5 litre container.

Unmature Naga Morich ( Capsicum Chinense) Pod

The whole plant got one Pod. But it is actually bigger then the B. Jolokia Pods. Probably because it can just put a lot of energy into this sole pod. I need maybe only 3-4 more pods from this plant. Then I am satisfied. This one was transplantated out in a 3,5 litre container. Funny thing is that the Naga Morich flowers ( at least mine under my conditions) drops more pollen then the B. Jolokia flowers. A speculative theory is that my "Naga" plant has like max 10-15 flowers going on. And energy can be give to these to produce pollen for all flowers. Whilst my B. Jolokia had ridicolously high amount of flowers. And some of them wont get enough energy for pollen production. ( amount of flowers has decreased rapidly thanks to thrips and more pods on the plant).

Unmature Piquin ( Capsicum Annuum) Pod ( very small about 3 mm)

Here you can see a small Pequin pod. Very prolific plant. Easy to pollinate. Makes the B. Jolokia pollination look like a pathetic procedure. Here you just swoosh your pollination pencil and it goes "ok" and you have a fruit 5-10 days later.

Here is how it looks like about 5 days after pollination. The flower bud does not fall off from the plant. But the flower petals shrink and you know you have a fruit going on. On the Pequin I have approximately around 15 fruits going on. Much thanks to pollinating it around a week ago.

Here is a look at the Pequin Flower.

A look at the weird shape of my Pequin plant. My neighbour asked me " why the hell do most of your plants have that 4-shaped branch thing appearance???" I answered " Even Satan himself can not explain that..........even Satan himself..."

Unmature Red Caribbean( Capsicum Chinense) Pod

This small plant, in form of the Red Caribbean, is also driven by the unstoppable forces of evolution. I did not expect that it would produce fruits. But one is going on!

Official Pod date = 29th May 2010.

Thanks to a small dose of a male vitamine pill called in swedish "Apotekets man" it has produced a lot of flowers for it small size.

Bishops Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum) unmature pods.

A look on the weirdly shaped pods of the Bishop Hat. There is like 8-20 names on the variety of Bishop Hat. It can be interpretated as a trace of what the chaotic human mind without unorganized thinking can achieve. Or, an agressive form of campaign from seed companies to sell off their seeds. In either case, I will stick to what I learned it by at first. Bishops Hat.

Long Slim Cayenne ( Capsicum Annuum) Pod going on

Here is a pic of Long slim Cayenne unmature pod going on. Extremely easy to pollinate. Drops as much pollen as Bishops Hat. 5 unmature pods on this plant. Official pod date = 30th May 2010.

Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense) = 0 pod

Unfortunately this huge Plant has not decided of its whereabout. The thrips might got something to do with it. The situation needs radical solutions. The solutions of a mad man is required here. I put in 5 earthworms here. Added some "apotekets man" vitamine pil.l About half a pill in a glass of water + a little oil and frantical stirring.

Plant is 1 meter in width but has shortened ( due to the weight of the branches) to 72 cm. No more fertilizer at all for this one.

Pimenta De Neyde ( Capsicum Chinense x Capsicum Annuum)

The beautiful Piementa De Neyde. That was supposed to be the flagship in my crossing matrix has tormented my soul and tortured my heart. No pod on this one so far.

But vigorous work is being done by the sun and my pollination pencil. Hopefully the plant will be more cooperative as the season goes into its hottest phase.

Date of Fruit ( Piquin, Capsicum Annuum)

2010-05-26T10:54:00.003+02:00

This very late fruit setter ( for me) has decided to go into the fruiting business. 3 tiny small pods on its way. Date 26/5/2010.

Me happy!?

Thrips attack!!

2010-05-26T10:02:00.003+02:00

This is not good. Last night when I pollinated the flowers. I found out that some small parasitic animals kept dropping from the flowers. From almost all plants as well!

I have thrips it seems. One of the 5000 different species that exist. I have never had thrips before. So, I am a bit worried about their potential danger. Any report or documentation of what these bastards have accomplished to your plants in the past will gladly be taken. Good advice is valuable in this case. These little critters are not more then 1 mm in size. Right now there are not that many of them. But they seem to have been on a search and destroy mission with my flowers as their main target. That said, it makes the area around my plants look like a flower Holocaust with flowers laying without having had a real chance of making any fruits.

The flowers are mad, I am certainly displeased and the plants are bothered. Damn bugs. Unfortunately ( or fortunately) they are not in such numbers so that pest control in form of biological agents are required.............yet.

Interview with the Finlander in the Sauna.

2010-05-25T15:05:00.012+02:00

I am working on a project in which some of it is about how many chile pepper growers we have in the different Nordic countries. One country that sticks out in a rather funny way, in comparison to the others Nordic countries, is Finland. Mind you, it is not the first time the rather odd people to the east have a weird feature of some kind. In this case, they have a extreme faschination of growing chile peppers.

Yesterday I was in the Sauna and not surprisingly I met a Finn by the name of Juha. I had to raise the question about the Finnish culture and started to sneak interview him about their
peculiar attraction to chile pepper fruits. I mean chile peppers are not exactly something used by tradition in the finnish cuisine for the last 200 years or so? It has to be viewed as something rather fashionable perhaps? After a small introduction I began the
interview.

Question to Juha: Why do you think the Finns grows chile pepper plants more then for
example us Swedes?

Juha: I have no idea, but the finnish man is definately someone who have a tendency to different macho culture variations. That is the only explanation I can find.

Question: But why do you think they would have this Macho tendency then? Is there a historical reason for it? Does it have to do something with the imminent threat from the big old Russia in the past so the men could never allow themself to relax. And as such they formed themselves to some kind of super macho men?

Juha laughed here, to what I thought was a really serious question. I myself forged a what I
hoped was a convincing laughter. My interview victim seemed relaxed in answering my questions despite the extreme heat in the sauna.

Juha said: I am not sure. But now when you say so. There must be a historical reason for it. I know that my dad did not express much feelings. And I think that for some reason many Finlander (men) dont either. So perhaps by expressing themselves through different macho cultures it is a way of protesting toward the non-expressing feeling culture and at the same time you proclaim your male dominance somehow by demonstrating how macho you really are. You simply use your hobby here as a form of ventilation of the culture.

I had no idea what Juha meant here. But the conversation ended here. He bid me goodbye and
had to leave. I myself was satisfied with both the answers and the fact that I endured the Sauna
session much longer then the finn Juha. Perhaps I too have some macho tendencies?

( the above pic is from the Sauna world championship, apparently the Finns have such a thing along with a competition called wife-carrying championship, odd people indeed.)

Forgot to document Naga Morich/Bishop Hat/Chocolate Jolokia fruit

2010-05-19T21:14:00.004+02:00

Date of Naga Morich fruit = 2010-05-05 +- ( 2 days or so, did not think it was a fruit at first)
Date of Bishop Hat fruit confirmed = 2010-05-16
Date of Chocolate Jolokia fruit confirmed = 2010-05-19

Sperm and pollen

2010-05-18T22:23:00.030+02:00

I stumbled upon an interesting scientific article about the resemblance of sperm and pollen. Such an issue may make you ponder about it. In a what some may interpretate as an imaginative angle. But I believe there is some relevance to a following bizarre perspective.

If you could view the pollen of the plants as the equivalence of animal sperm. Then you realize, empirically, that different chile peppers have different amount of sperms. As with us animals.

If you could view the pollen releasing process of a plant as the ejaculation process of for example a human being. Then different plants definitely have various amount of "load" when they are coming in their ejaculation process. As with us humans ( I am guessing when it came to the last statement).

One thing is for sure. The officially worlds strongest chile pepper, B. Jolokia Capsicum Chinense, sure hell does not have the biggest "load" in its ejaculation process. It holds the record as the strongest pepper, but when it comes to showing off in the "ejaculation" process it still has much left to proove. (The real reason for that was explained in a previous input about B. Jolokia)

Another one of my plants have though a real HUGE omnipotent "load" and certainly have no problem in the ejaculating process. When it comes to giving away enough amount of pollen. To ensure the survival of its species. It does its job by overstating its abilities on the sex front.

The plant is a horny vigorous specimen, by the name of Bishops Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum).
Here is picture of the plant with the "voluminous load". Right now, it is laying on its back. Content with itself after having had sex with my finger ( pollinated this one). Last time I let it have sex with my fingers, two flowers out of two got "pregnant". That said, I must admit I have some secret admiration about this chile peppers prolific abilities. And it feels good to get immediate results in the making babies process( fruits ). Especially after having gone through numerous laborious unsuccesful pollination methods/trials with the much more unfruitful specimen B. Jolokia.

( Of course, my imagination of how everything works did not provide me with accurate picture of the process. Here is a link to how pollen actually works. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-video/467948/16677/Pollen-transports-sperm-cells-to-flowers-egg-cells )

Height data III

2010-05-12T13:39:00.010+02:00

Bishops Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum)

Height:80 cm. Width: 60 cm Pot container: 10 litres

Comments: This plant got stunted and was stuck at around 61 cm. I had to make a change. The one big change I made was to put in an earth worm. One single earth worm. Otherwise it have had almost the same amount of light and watering. I have also given it more Phosphor and Potassium as well. It has grown 20 cm in 29 days. Comparing it with 1 cm in 12 days with the previous data. Magical Earthworm?

Piquin ( Capsicum Annuum)

Height: 42 cm Width:60 cm Pot Container: 3,5 litres

Comments:This Piquin follows the same pathway as my B.Jolokia (Capsicum Chinense). It turns out to be more and more bushy. For some reason several of my plants has that characteristic. My speculation is that it must be my special light conditions. With 2*36 W and very little sunlight ( about 2-3 hours/day). 5 cm in height growth in 29 days. But extremely more bushy. Lacked width data.

B. Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 42 cm Width: 62 cm Pot Container: 3,5 litres

Comments: This B. Jolokia has obtained 5 fruits now. One of them is approximately around 5 cm. It has dropped around 120 (+-) 20 flowes. The plant is extremely bushy. And resembles the same characteristic appearance as the Piquin. One main stem and 4 main branches spreading horizontally. The ratio between flower/fruit is not promising. But most probably an indication of my very poor light conditions. Plant looks extremely healthy though. Approximately around 30-40 open flowers all the time. Which amazes me most. 12 cm height growth in 29 days.

Chocolate Jolokia (Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 55 cm Width: 40 cm Pot container: 3,5 liter

Comments: This one is a vigorous grower. It does not resemble the other plants in the characteristic bushy appearance. But I also bought it when it was around 1,5 month old. So as a youngster it was taken care of by Patrick from Stockholm. I have pollinated this one two times. I have also made a crossing attempt between Piementa De Neyde and the Chocolate Jolokia. It will then be a crossing between ( Capsicum Annuum) x (Capsicum Chinense)x (Capsicum Frutescens). Some of you may raise their eyebrows and say " Hey, where does the Frutescens come into the picture?". Well, the thing is, B. Jolokia/C. Jolokia has some ( Capsicum Frutescens) in its originally. How much it is? I let an gene analyst answer that question. Height growth 18 cm in 29 days. This one is working hard in the wind now. I think it appreciates the exercise ?

Naga Morich (Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 40 cm Width: 25 cm Pot container: 1,5 litres.

Comments: The mythical Naga Morich. With lethal potent fruits that can make most macho men shiver by fear. This Plant has flowered already. I have crossed it with the Piementa De Neyde. But I dont expect it to set fruit because of it. I still think I have to be patient and wait for the summer season so I can take out my plants on the backside where they can use some afternoon sun from 16:00-21:00. At the moment it is too cold in the afternoon/evening sun. It is a beautiful plant in general. But I fear it somehow. I need to repot this one into a bigger container. But I have little space. Besides, I am not interested in getting tons of fruits from this one. Height growth 20 cm in 29 days.

Red Savina (Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 32 cm Width: 20 cm Pot Container: 3,5 litres

Comments: This one was stunted because of Phosphorous deficiency. The leaves had a blueish colour and got thick because of sugar building up in the leaves. I gave it phosphor and it started to grow. But the main inhibiting factor for growth has been light for this one. It has not gained much light. Nor has it had the privilige to take advantage of my light bulb due to space problem. Height growth 7 cm in 29 days. Good thing, it is not stunted anymore. I think the phosphor addition did the trick.

Caribbean Red II ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 18 cm Width: 30 cm Pot Container: 1,5 litres

Comments: This is another Caribbean Red. A friend of mine got 30 years old and I gave the other one away as a gift. This one has seen very little light. Definatly no direct light from the sun at least. A pathetic puny plant with not much of hope to set fruit. But astonishingly it is flowering at the moment. Amount of flowers = one. It does not grow in height but to the sides. Can not compare data to previous data. That plant was given away.

Long Slim Cayenne ( Capsicum Annuum )

Height: 33 cm Width: 7 cm Pot Container: 1,5 litres

Comments: I expect this one to set flowers soon. The height would indicate it is time to change the pot. But I have a feeling that it is not well rooted yet and wait 1-2 weeks more. A simple plant, nothing fancy. But it is always cool to have one of the "regulars". Tallish plant. 15 cm in 29 days.

Piementa De Neyde ( Capsicum Chinense x Capsicum Annuum)

Height:70 cm Width: 20 cm Pot Container: 12 litres

Comments: The beautiful Piementa De Neyde. The flowers are beautiful, the leaves are beautifil. A sheer joy for the eye. A main stem with no bushy appearance. The plants I bought have had no Bushy appearance. But the plants grown on my own has obtained it. Heigth growth 14 cm in 29 days.

Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense)

Height: 70 cm Width: 83 cm Pot Container: 12 litres

Comments: It is a Chocolate Scotch Bonnet, but I should call it Steroidal Scotch Bonnet. This plant has flowered. But sometimes it drops its unopened flowers. I take it as a sign that the plant is still going for the growth strategy. As such I am not giving it more Nitrogene. It just looks too healthy. I look at this one as the "Arnold Schwarzenegger" of my plants. Or going with the Jaimaican accent calling it " Mr. BushaaaMaaan." Well, those days are over for this one. Now it will just be Phosphor and Potassium on the menu. It can kiss its sweet precious Nitrogene Bye Bye.
Heigth growth 12 cm in 29 days. But extremely width growth. One of the biggest leaf is 23 cm in length. I am not sure if it is common for this variety. But it sure has the biggest leaves of my varieties.

The other plants are either too small or too uninteresting to get in the statistics since they get too much of a variation in both lights water etc. One will never be able to see any linearity.

An interesting swedish tv show about epigenes

2010-05-09T15:33:00.005+02:00

This is an interesting tv show about epigenes. Swedish audience only unfortunately.

http://svtplay.se/v/1959243/vetenskapens_varld/del_12_av_18__vara_geners_hemliga_liv?cb,a1364145,1,f,-1/pb,a1364142,1,f,-1/pl,v,,1986455/sb,p102815,1,f,-1

The show explains a bit about how plants works in relation to seasons. How it is controlled by the genes when to flower etc.

Regarding flower dropping on B. Jolokia

2010-05-06T20:53:00.004+02:00

Apparently B. Jolokia has a special origin in terms of genes. It is a chinensecultivar but has also a bit of C. Frutescens. That automatically lead to thatthis cultivated hybrid can have have some problems because of its crossing.

So one should expect a bit of pollen abortion and flower dropping because of that. Good, I thought I sucked in pollinating my flowers. I have 4 fruits on it now. But plant lost some energy by dropping around 100-150 flowers?

Source P. Bosland

Some pondering about acetyl salicylic acid usage on plants.

2010-05-05T01:27:00.006+02:00

I have read some reports about subjective conclusions from different people regarding the usage of acetylsalicylic acid ( ASA). First of all let us make it clear to all readers. Acetylsalicylic acid is not to be considered a nutritient in terms of macro/micro nutritients. The second part to this is even though it is subjective conclusions made by some people of the usage on plants and the effects of it. It was not totally clear for me in what purpose it was used. It seems as it was used in some form of preventive purpose to make plants more resistence against "outworldly stress" attacks. Which these three links given by mr. mrarboc in a previous comment shows. The subjective conclusions are not necessarily incorrect. But they certainly can be confusing. Some explanations were just rumours. Though there is a study made about acetylsalicylacid made in the University of Arizona. Which also one of the links mention.
( http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/08/980806090010.htm)

"In plants, aspirin blocks the production of jasmonic acid by similarly binding a critical enzyme.

"Jasmonic acid is a hormone that is made when plants are in distress. It signals the production of plant-defense compounds -- it works a little like a shot of pain, warning the plant that it is under attack. It can also volatilize and warn nearby plants, a chain reaction that's like a warning signal to other plants. This seems to particularly apply to insect attack, as the alerted plants then produce specific compounds that produce insect gastro-intestinal distress.

"It turns out that aspirin will suppress the formation of this compound (jasmonic acid), so it suppresses the warning signal, like it suppresses pain in animals," Backhaus said.

While humans may want to tune out the pain "alarm" signaling that their body is under distress, it is hard to see what benefit aspirin's suppression could have in the plant reaction.

Unless you're a hungry insect ransacking a patch of plants, that is, and you want to shut off the neighborhood's burglar alarms... and have lunch. "

What is written above is in sciencedaily ( popular science?, did not bother to check how valuable the source is).I have seen a scientific report about resistance increasing in tobacco plant against tobacco viruse by using (ASA)from 1979. I also read some abstracts from other scientific reports about increased stress tolerance. With a conclusion " Induction of multiple stress tolerance in plants by exogenous
application of SA and its derivatives may have a significant practical application in agriculture, horticulture and
forestry." In which SA is salicylic acid. What that means is that it can perhaps work as a stress reliever for the plant or a stress resilience enhancer of some form. Question is, what concentrations as usual? One report had actually tried to investigate that. It was in the first link mr. Arboc gave me. In it it said too much concentration = plant damage. Good enough concentration = increased enhanced resilience against stress factors ( they did not specify stress factors, but they mention temperature, bacterial attacks as what can be considered stress factors)

" In this experiment, a concentration of 15mM (millimoles) was used. However, little of the salicylic acid (1.4%) moved into new plant tissues after 24 hours."

This is part of the complexity. Some of it was taken up by the plants, but not all. Notice also that this experiment ( even if not mentioned specifically) was probably taken out in hydroponic system. If you use soil then this can be a slippery experiment. How much is 15 mMol in amount of Alvedon? ( 1 alvedonpill/1,85dl) water. If you have a sick plant and you are full of experimental lust. I say go for it. Our chile pepper plants are our hobby. We want to take care of them. This knowledge can be used when the plant is sick or before that. It is your choice actually. You have gained the knowledge how to do it. I personally wont use ASA unless a plant is looking sick. Unfortunately I dont have any really sick plants. Well, now when you mention it. I will try it on my Red Caribbean it has a bit of stunted growth. Thanks mrarboc for the input. I hope parts of this long input helped you a bit on the way of chile pepper growing. The only thing you need to be worried about is to use alvedon in high concentration. Several reports indicated that plant could take damage. I would also question usage if one already have nice healthy plants. It feels like an overkill situation. In the end, one have to ask oneself. What kind of a chile pepper grower are you? Personally I like to keep it as enviromental as possible. My plants should not be bothered with man-kind medicine. But I will not judge others if they use it. Heck I am going to
dissolve one alvedon and add it to to one plant in 5 minutes from now.
If you wanna experiment, do it! You should not inhibit your lust of experimenting. I mean I will do it now just because I am a curious grower. I am not sure though. That one should reconsider using ASA as a weekly routine thing to add ASA to the plants. I did not look into the reports thoroughly to get an idea of how much of a seasonal concentration a plant can handle or not. But if we have a crazy plant owner. Please report to us the
results you obtained!! Once again, thanks for the input mrarboc. It is an interesting subject. But a also a complicated one.

Switching to english

2010-05-02T22:59:00.006+02:00

I noticed on the visitor calculator that there are a lot of international guests at my blog. And as such I will switch to english.

My Beautiful B. Jolokia "papa Pod" felt lonely. I am glad he obtained some kind of company by Junior to the left.

I must admit I am somewhat puzzled and perplexed. When it comes to the pollination techniques I believe I have like tested every single one of them. I do know that I am doing them correctly. What I also know is that my light conditions at my window seat is very poor. To say the least. I am using 2*36 W light source. But the important sun I get none of it unless I am taking the plants outside. My guess is that my plants will be able to produce only if they meet mother Sun frequently. Will keep you updated on it.

This gives me a situation. I want to grow, but I want it to be as enviromentally as possible. Today I made a choice. After Jan Löfgren, a chili blogger in Sweden got worried about a form of sea-kelp and heavy metal concentration in it. I found out that some of our fertilizers contains some Kadmium. It kind of pissed me off. I was not surprised. But I hoped it would not be so.

As such I drew a line......well in my head at least. I want my gardening and my hobby to be as enviromental as possible. Therefore I do not intend to buy another light source to produce fruits.

Furthermore, I am going to use my own pee as a fertilizer. Heck, now when I got data thanks to a reader by the name of Michael as well, I can get a good idea of how much and how often to give the plants. Best to end this post with something positive. Here is a picture of a plant I am extremely fond of. The flower of Piementa De Neyde ( photo by dig camera this time).

Äntligen ytterligare fruktbildning.

2010-05-02T12:07:00.006+02:00

Lördagen den 24 april testade jag några ny handpollineringstekniker. Inspirerad av bland annat olika Youtube klipp. Kontrollerad pollineringsprocess är viktig att få till perfektion på grund av korsningsexperiment i framtiden. Jag ville även gärna ha kvitto på något resultat i form av 5-6 nya frukter. Vid inspektion hade två nya B. Jolokia frukter hälsat på mitt nyfikna lynne .

Min slutsats är dock att det är lite för osannolikt att det är ett resultat av ny pollineringsteknik.

Fruktbildningsfrågan får hitta svar på annat håll. Troligt är, dåliga ljusförhållanden. En annan intressant frågeställning är hur långt räcker 3,5 liters krukan i avseende på fruktbildning? Rent näringsmässigt är det inget problem. Finns det andra begränsande faktorer? Som ni förstår, så är det sådant som jag roas av. Frågor och teorier.

Jungle Fever ?

2010-04-29T01:02:00.024+02:00

Jag noterade pinnen i bilden. Var mindre bra.
Men lite jungelkänsla ändå?

Piementa De Neyde blomma på gång.

Piementa De Neyde

Stem perspective.

B. Jolokia fruit....will be some other angles until I am satisfied.

I need a perfect picture of my first B. Jolokia pod.

B. Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense) flower.

Chocolate Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense) flowers .
Rumour goes that the pod was a mutant form of a B. Jolokia. And not a cultivated form. Whatever the answer is, no one really knows for sure. That is part of the mysteries about chili growing.

"Il Diablo" Naga Morich flower ( Capsicum Chinense)

Var vänlig att kommentera om ni tyckte om någon speciell bild !!!
Please be kind and comment if you felt there was a picture you thought was kind of cool or good looking.

B. Jolokia frukt, systemkamera bild.

2010-04-28T16:53:00.013+02:00

Bild på den enda frukten i min ägo. Systemkamerabild. Ni får GÄRNA klicka på bilderna för uppförstoring. Jag tackar grannen Daniel för lån av sin Kamera.

B. Jolokia fruit....lurking in the shadows....

Piementa De Neyde

Fick en fråga av vår vördade chili legendar Mats Pettersson ( Bakpulver+ Kaffesump) som näringsmedel.

2010-04-26T20:45:00.013+02:00

Jag fick en fråga från vår gode Mats Pettersson huruvida Bakpulver kan anses vara en Kalium ( Potassium på engelska) källa till chiliplantor. Då erfarenheten har visat att den har gynnsamma effekter på tillväxten hos en chiliplanta. Svaret blev följande.

"Bakpulvret består oftast av NaHCO3. D.v.s egentligen inget kalium ( Potassium på
engelska) överhuvudtaget. Kan det ändå finnas Kalium istället för Na( Natrium)?? Absolut. I små mängder. Eftersom Bikarbonat är inget annat än en salt och det finns alltid lite rester av de
olika alkaliska metallerna. Det kan finnas också andra salter såsom MgCO3 , CaCO3
m.m. Men kontentan är att alla andra är restsalter så det blir ointressant utifrån
växtnäringsperspektiv egentligen.

Jag skulle vara väldigt misstänksam om någon hävdade att det finns Bikarbonater
med mer Kaliuminslag. Jag tror det är lite dyrare än Natrium. Natrium finns ju i
vanligt havsvatten i form Na+ i stora mängder och lättåtkomliga mängder.
Därför använder de Natrium i bakpulverframställningen.

Däremot kan Natrium ha samma effekt på plantan när det gäller tillväxt såsom
Kalium har. D.v.s att växten släpper ut en H+ jon så tar den upp en Na+ jon. Så Na+
kan användas i cellernas protonpump också. Men den kan troligtvis inte ( om man får
tro källorna) bli så viktig i fruktbildningssyftet. Så det växter gör, troligtvis, är
att de använder redan Kalium i jorden. Men Natriumet som är en lättrörligare jon användes i cellernas pH- regleringssyfte och hamnar inte i fruktkroppen då denna inte verkar behövas i
större mängder i chilifrukter.

Slutsatsen är att tillsats av Bikarbonat i syfte att tillsätta Kalium för fruktbildning är
alltså totalt osant. En bekräftelse fick jag genom att jag tittade in livsmedelsverkets
näringsinnehåll på Bakpulver. Enligt denna så innehåller 100 gram Bakpulver 0,049 gram Kalium. Det ska jämföras med 8,4 gram fosfor och 11,4 gram Natrium. Om du vill tillsätta
Kalium med hjälp av Bakpulver måste du sätta dit väldigt mycket Bakpulver och då
dör nog växten av en Natriumchock som är ett mikronäringsmedel.

Kaffesump tillsats för tillväxt är mer än sant. Koncentrationsförhållandena är ungefär
hälften av chilifocus näringsmedel. Så här gäller det vara smart i hur mycket
man tillsätter. "

Det var ett utdrag så att man har förståelse för vad Bakpulver gör. Det är en produkt
som innehåller hög halt av fosfor och Natrium som näringsmedel. Men också socker.
Varför Bakpulver kan anses vara rolig att använda är för att växterna har nytta av
den främst för fosforn. ( hur den använder fosfor finns i ett tidigare inlägg). Men också Natriumet kan användas i växterna. Notera att mängderna är väldigt höga i Bakpulvret i
förhållande till vad växten egentligen behöver i form av mikronäringsmedel ( Natrium).

Det intressanta är också att många hävdar att Kalium är så viktig för fruktbildningen. Men när jag tittar på innehållet vad en Cayenne innehåller så är det inte ett stort inslag av Kalium. Visserligen har den det största inslaget i form av Kalium. Men mängderna är följande:
Av 100 gram Cayenne innehåller denna 0,34 gram Kalium. Jag roade mig att
beräkna hur mycket 100 gram torr kaffepulver kan räcka till massa producerat
Cayenne i kg. Förutsatt att all Kalium från (Kaffepulvret) Kaffesumpen tas upp av en chiliplanta och går till frukterna endast.

Det visade sig att 100 gram torr Kaffe utifrån ett Kaliumperspektiv räcker till 1,1 kg Cayenne. Kommer växterna lida brist av Kalium? Mycket troligt......nej . Det är en lättrörlig
jon. I kaffesumpexemplet så förloras 0,1 gram Kalium av totalt 4 gram Kalium i själva drickfärdiga espresson. 3,9 gram är kvar i sumpen. Används 100 gram torr kaffe kan ni räkna med att ni har mer än väl täckt behovet för en 1/2 till en hel sässong. Jag skulle dosera i små mängder c:a 5 gram åt gången i början av blombildningen vid vattning.

Slutsats: Lite kaffesump kommer definitivt inte döda plantorna. Men det bör inte
överstiga mer än 100 gram torr substans. Kaffesumpen hjälper Kalium och Kväve halten men inte fosfor halten. Men fosfor halten kan hjälpas till med Bikarbonat. Hänsyn måste tas till att kaffesump innehåller proteiner och kolhydrater med mer okända effekter. Men funkar det enligt er erfarenhet så funkar det. Kommentera GÄRNA om era erfarenheter kring kaffesump som näringsmedel. Det här var teoretiskt vinkling på just bara Kalium och bikarbonat. Praktik är något helt annat!

Rent sammansättningsvis så funkar det alltså, men Bikarbonat tillsätts på grund av fosforn då. Medan kaffesumpen står för kväve och Kalium. Det man vill ha egentligen är kväve och fosfor till stor del från början av odlingen för att vid blombildning ( alt. rätt storlek på plantan) öka på med Kalium. Tillsätts Kaffesump+Bikarbonat så har plantan alla tre makroämnen tillgängligt. Men man kan inte styra odlingens gång på samma sätt för optimal tillväxt. Dock får den makroämnena den behöver rent teoretiskt.

Ska tacka läsarna för kommentarer. För jag fick redigera mitt eget inlägg. Jag vill att ni noterar att kaffesump kan anses vara surt. Enligt olika källor, några av dem var utbildningshemsidor av olika slag, så har kaffe pH 4-5. Det geniala med kaffesump+bikarbonat användningen är att bikarbonat har en buffrande effekt så att den hjälper jordens pH-balans så att den inte flukturerar allt för mycket pH-mässigt vid tillsats av kaffesump.

Kommentera ifall era ögon trillade ur ögonhålorna för att ni tyckte det blev alldeles för mycket
vetenskapsinslag ( eller pseudovetenskap med tanke på att jag inte brydde mig här att referera
eller påvisa exakta beräkningsgången).

Jag fick ont i mina privataste delar

2010-04-25T16:35:00.004+02:00

Min manlighet, det som är kvar av den, protesterade argt idag. Orsaken ser ni till vänster. Efter att man hanterar "giftiga" frukter är det brukligt att man tvätta händerna noggrant.

Så skedde ej i mitt fall. Jag använde händerna oaktsamt till att styra upp urinslangen då behovet uppstod. Något som min hjärna gärna förmedlar tydligt och klart att det var ett misstag av råge.

En sidonotis, jäklar vilken styrka denna Habanero hade. En frukt räckte till att krydda maten i 3 dagar. Inköp, Vivo Älvsjö. Sort = okänd. Art, utan tvekan Capsicum Chinense.

Skolexempel på omogen B. Jolokia frukt

2010-04-25T13:52:00.006+02:00

Skolexempel på hur en B. Jolokia frukt kan se ut i omogen exempel. Denna är 6-8 dagar gammal. Notera gärna den skrovliga fruktytan. En indikation på en tidig varningsignal till djur ( och människor) som är intresserade av att förtära den. Fruktens yta antyder nästan en känsla av att den är rutten och uppmaningen från dess utseende är att konsumtion kan endast leda till diarrè.

How to hand pollinate chili plants.

2010-04-23T23:43:00.002+02:00

Referens ( http://www.chilefarm.co.uk/growing.html)

" YOUR PLANT MAKES FLOWERS BUT NO FRUIT ?

Most hot peppers and some sweet peppers require insect pollination to form fruit. If the proper insect is absent, or if the local insects are not attracted to your pepper flowers, you may see the plants flower and never set fruit. This is especially true for hot peppers grown indoors or in a greenhouse.

Pollen is produced on the stamens, and usually ripens between noon and 3 PM every day. Take a moistened water-color paint brush, and pick up some pollen on your brush and transfer it to the other flower centers. You can get close to 100% fruit set with hand pollination. "

Notera att det stod moistened water-color paint brush.

Kommer testa olika metoder att handpollinera så får vi se inom den närmaste veckan ifall det sker någon form av förändring.

Tackar herr Blasberg

2010-04-23T20:09:00.001+02:00

Tackar herr Blasberg för sponsringen av Trinidad scorpion frön. Kommer plantera dessa idag och hoppas.............igen.

150 blomskott på B. Jolokian

2010-04-23T00:02:00.008+02:00

Jag gjorde en uppskattning på antal blomskott på B. Jolokia. Plantan är c:a 32 cm hög men c:a 60 cm bred. Om man beskriver den med 4 huvudgrenar förutom en stam. Så hade en huvudgren 50 blomskott ( eller blommor, jag räknar blommorna som blomskott också).

D.v.s möjligtvis runt 200 blomskott på plantan. Men för att vara på den säkra sidan tas 50 bort.
"Ok ok......kompis" 150 blomskott på en planta. Det låter som ett overkligt högt tal i mina öron. För det innebär potentiellt 150 frukter på plantan och bör således ha en karantänzon runt omkring sig.

Tyvärr är det en sanning att den har c:a 150 blomskott.

Frågan är då hur den har lyckats med detta? För man ska inte ge mig äran.
Jag har ju hjälpt den. Men jag var nyfiken på om jag hade gjort något speciellt med den.
Jag måste erkänna att jag är ju experimentell full. När det gäller näringsmedel så är det, oavsett vad man tycker, viktigt inslag i odling. Beroende på vad man hade för jordegenskaper så kan det vara mycket betydelsefullt.

I Menthas fall så försöker hon göra det lite mindre betydelsefullt genom att skapa redan i initialskedet en perfekt jordsammansättning ( hon får gärna ge oss receptet samt rapporten angående resultatet, det ska bli spännande att följa hennes odling). Det är ett bra och väldigt smart sätt att arbeta.

För oss andra patrasker med snabba lösningar i hjärnan så kan följande ha funkat i min B. Jolokias fall.

Jag har haft i chili focus som näringsmedel. Men jag har också tagit ett vitaminpiller ( apotekets man) krossat den i mortel och rört ut den i vatten. Då blev jag snabbt varse om att allt inte var vattenlösligt. Det fanns delar som D-vitamin som är fettlöslig. Så jag hällde i lite olivolja och rörde runt bägaren. Försökte lösa upp vitaminpillret så mycket som möjligt. Sedan tillsatte jag det till krukan som ett inslag av mikronäringsmedel. Vissa mikronäringsmedel kan vara viktiga och även till och med begränsande ( speciellt i blombildningsfas, gärna då blommor har olika färger m.m).

Om det har haft någon inverkan eller inte är ju högst spekulativt. Det man kan konstatera är dock att plantan inte har protesterat nämnvärt. På en punkt skulle det kunna vara så. Den jäveln har inte bildat tillräckligt med frukt ännu. Men jäklar vad blommor det är. Det jag vet är att frukt bildas gärna då ljus/värmeförhållandena är optimala. Så för tillfället tycker jag att jag har gjort allt helt korrekt men att det geografiska läget 59 grader norr om ekvatorn talar inte för min fördel för maximal fruktbildning. Speciellt inte i April månad. Sista faktorn är att jag har ju allt inomhus och endast 2*36 W lysrör. Allt jobb innan fruktbildning är gjort. Nu låter jag årstiderna ta över rollen och arbetet med fruktframställning. Vila och njutningens tid är kommen.

B. Jolokia frukt

2010-04-19T18:38:00.001+02:00

Första frukten, verrifierad.

2010-04-19T10:12:00.002+02:00

Den 24 November 2009 sådde jag B. Jolokian. Det tog den 145 dagar att få fram en fertiliserad blomma ( initialskedet av en frukt) och tillväxtfasen har skett under vinter/tidig vår. Artificiell ljus var 2*36 W fullfärgspektrum. Känns skönt.

50 blommor, en frukt på gång?

2010-04-18T22:28:00.007+02:00

Börjar bli en djungel. Planterade om Piementa De Neyden också. Det är en av två plantor jag vet jag kommer behålla nästa år. Har massa små projekt också i plastmuggar som ni ser.

Jag är inte 100%. Men det ser ut som en frukt kan vara på gång. Denna på B. Jolokia. På denna planta har jag tappat, utan att överdriva, c:a 40-50 blommor. Det innebär att 2% av blommorna har (förhoppningsvis) fertiliserats. Två slutsatser kan ploppa upp i hjärnan.
1) Jag måste vara kass på att handpollinera.
2) Det är lite tidigt och man får ha lite tålamod.

Skulle det vara så att det är en frukt på gång så är den i och för sig ganska värdefull. För skulle man odla vidare på den kan det kanske vara så att man kan odla fram tidigare och tidigare sorter av en B. Jolokia.

Min B. Jolokia är................skum. Den är 30 cm hög men 60 cm bred mellan de två största grenarna. En låg buske med andra ord.

Näringsmedel för chiliplantor.....tips&råd samt frågeställning.

2010-04-17T13:55:00.002+02:00

Fråga: Vilket näringsmedel använder ni till era chiliplantor ?? ( Svara i kommentaren)

Jag använder själv

Chili Focus N-P-K 3:1:4,4
Nitrozyme (står inget N-P-K)
Brända Löv ( Fan vet vad det är för N-P-K)
Vitaminpiller( Apotekets Man, Jag skämtar inte, för att tillsätta mikroämnen)
Bärgdösel N-P-K 2:4:17 ( Använder denna då det börjar Blomma, Hög
Kaliumhalt för fruktbildning)

Det intressanta är att veta i vilka koncentrationer Makroämnena N-P-K finns och få ett hum om vad som kan vara bra enligt tidigare erfarenheter för chiliplantor.

Låt oss kort göra en resume över gödsel till växter. Det finns hur mycket länkar som helst men kortfattad blir det enligt ( http://www.odla.nu/metoder/naring.shtml)

Kväve (N) stimulerar bladtillväxten och växter där man äter det gröna, som sallat, behöver mycket kväve. På de växter som ger frukter kan för mycket kväve resultera i små och dåligt utvecklade frukter och blommor. Bladverket blir däremot mörkgrönt och frodigt, men växten blir lättare mottaglig för sjukdomar. Det mesta kvävet finns i luften men bortsett från baljväxter kan övriga växter inte ta upp det.

Fosfor (P) behövs för knoppsättningen och för att binda solenergi. Fosfor finns i olika former i jorden. Är pH-värdet i marken lågt kan fosforbrist uppstå trots att marken fosforrik. Det är dock ovanligt att växterna drabbas av fosforbrist. Vid brist får växterna mörkt grön färg och ibland även violetta partier. Överskott av fosfor är inget växterna lider av.

Kalium (K) har stor betydelse för fruktsättning och kvalité. I lerjordar finns oftast bra kaliumtillgång. Sand- och mulljordar är däremot oftast kaliumfattiga. Brist på kalium visar sig som bruna och vissna bladkanter. Överskott försämrar upptagningen av magnesium.

Min kommentar till Kalium:
K(Kalium) = Ska tydligen vara bra för fruktsättningen. Men dess viktigaste funktion är att den fungerar som en jontransportör och har således indirekta/direkta påverkan på tillväxthastigheten. Mindre mängd Kalium mindre möjlighet för växten att använda sina protonpumpar i cellerna. Slutligen också mindre tillväxthastighet.

Svar på "Lövets" fråga i tidigare inlägg, kommentar. Vilken typ av gödselmedel ska man använda? Först och främst vill jag bara tillägga att jag är ingen expert. Men jag har ju lite Biokemi kunskaper. Många hävdar att man ska köra mycket kväve i tillväxtfas för att köra mer fosfor och Kalium senare vid skördetid m.m. Det låter inte fantastiskt smart måste jag säga. I Jannes Fall med Bärgödsel där N-P-K är 6:6:8 så är den väldigt balanserad. Kanske mera kväve än det förhållande han har. Det hönsgödslet du använder Janne är N-P-K 4:1,5:2. Vilket låter som utmärkt bas. När du får frukt kan du köra din andra gödselmedel.Men som helhet väldigt Balanserad N-P-K förhållanden. Gödselmedlet Chili Focus hävdar att de har kommit fram till den bästa formulan (grundad på 20 års arbete blahablaha) för chiliplantor som är N-P-K 3:1:4,4. D.v.s att den ska ha lite mindre fosfor och mer Kalium än Kväve.

Vad som är sant eller inte är egentligen omöjligt att sia om. Men som tumregel kan sägas att när man är nöjd med en ungefärligt storlek på en planta så kan man dra ner på kvävet och köra lite mer Kalium/Fosfor. Kalium/Fosfor blir definitivt viktigt vid fruktsättning. Jag vet tack vare Jannes inlägg att jag med mycket stor sannolikhet har 2 plantor som har lite fosforbrist. Bland annat en Red Savina som har mörkgröna nästan violetta blad. Tackar för att du gjorde mig mer uppmärksam på gödselbiten. Jag undrade just varför Red Savinan hade så mörkgröna blad. Men nu ska jag tillsätta mer fosfor och se hur den repar sig.

Svara gärna på frågan vad ni använder för Gödselmedel till era chiliplantor i kommentar. Tack på förhand.

Blommor tappade på B. Jolokia antal = c:a 30 blommor

2010-04-13T16:46:00.000+02:00

Jag räknade till 30 blommor som ramlat av under den nuvarande blommnings-perioden
med 0 frukter. Är dock lugn i själen och bidar min tid 1-2 månader till innan man
blir nervös och ringer representanter för Sveriges chilipepparförening.

Höjddata II

2010-04-13T15:54:00.000+02:00

Piquin = 37 cm ( växer på bredden och inte höjden längre) (3,5 liter kruka)

Jolokia = 30 cm ( Växer endast på bredden, börjar bli en buske) (3,5 liter kruka)

Naga Morich = 20 cm ( 4 cm höjdtillväxt på 12 dagar) ( 1,5 liter kruka)

Red Carribean = 26 cm ( 5 cm på 12 dagar) ( 1,5 liter kruka)

Long Slim Cayenne = 18 cm (3 cm på 12 dagar, liten kruka kan vara inhiberande
för tillväxtfasen, omplantering idag)( 0,5 liter kruka)

7 pod = Mätdata olämplig, omplantering har påverkat mätdata.8 cm ( 0,5 liter kruka)

Chocolate Scotch Bonnet = 58 cm ( 8 cm på 12 dagar, bra tillväxt ingen inhibition med avseende på tillväxtfast från kruka på 3,5 liter till 12 liter hink)

Piementa De Neyde = 56 cm ( 5 cm på 12 dagar) (3,5 liter kruka)

Chocolate Jolokia = 37 cm ( tillväxt på 9 cm på 11 dagar, anmärkningsvärt 1,5 liter kruka)

Bishop Crown = 60 cm ( endast 1 cm tillväxt trots näring. Mycket trolig orsak fortfarande, för lite ljustillgång till skillnad från tidigare. Har icke plats och andra plantor prioriteras före denna, hoppas på att solen Boostar tillväxtfas 10 liter terra-kotta)

Red Savina = 25 cm ( något inhiberade tillväxten, separerade och klippte bort suspekta blad, tillväxt +- 0 cm, 2,5 liter kruka)

Red Savinan blommar

2010-04-11T18:17:00.000+02:00

Nu har jag fått blommor på red Savinan också. Det första jag gjorde var att försöka korspollinera den med en Bih Jolokia. Den gubben gick inte och blomman trillade av några dagar senare. En högst trolig orsak är att det kan vara lite för lite ljus och plantorna satsar fortfarande gärna på tillväxtfas.

Jag fick också besök av en trevlig insekt hos min chocolate scotch bonnet. Ni vet den med 12 liter hinken som hus. Våran "bladlusterminator" nyckelpigan.

Jag kan meddela läsarna lugnt att jag inspekterade plantan i en terapeutisk anda och försökte lokalisera våra bittraste fiender, bladlössen. Tack och lov kunde deras närvaro icke konstateras.

Hinkar köptes, luftning av jord ( viktigt.)

2010-04-11T17:37:00.000+02:00

Jag köpte 8 stycken hinkar på 12 liter vardera. Kostade mig 12 kr/styck på en rea. Svarta naturligtvis så att rötterna får gosig värme av solen. Något som jag har lärt mig empiriskt då jag har odlat chili är att luftning av rötterna är ganska viktigt. Det är kanske en av de signifikanta skillnaderna mellan hydroponic system med sina olika syresättande applikationer jämfört med jordbaserade system. I det jordbaserade systemet är luftning av rötterna beroende av många faktorer.

1) Hur tätt packad jorden är ( använd leca, perlite m.m för att skapa luckerhet)
2) Ett lite mer riskabelt tips. Använd en smal pinne och skapa luftficka ner till botten av krukan. Kan skada rötterna med lite mer oförutsägbara konsekvenser.
3) Har inte testat detta. Jag diskuterade med min grannbloggare herr Hultstrand huruvida man inte skulle använda lite dagmaskar. Speciellt i en större hink för luftning. Herr Hultstrand hade hört talas om sådana försök. Men resultate var enligt rapporterna från försöken tvivelaktigt. Det verkar som om daggmaskarna skapade lite för mycket hål. Så att växten inte gynnades, snarare tvärtom. Ska testa det på någon reservplanta i vilket fall som helst.
4) Många hål i botten på en kruka/hink.

På tal om hink. Blev en hel del borrande för att skapa dräneringshål för hinkarna. Fick låna en borr av min granne. Ni ser honom till vänster.

Det var bara att börja borra. Enkel godtycklig demolition. Notera att jag borrar sidohål ungefär 2-5 cm ovanför botten.

Jag skrev i början om luftning. Jag tror det kan vara viktigt. Så jag körde på en hel del hål. För att ni ska slippa räkna hålen i bilden. Så fick jag det till c:a 24 stycken 1 cm:s hål. De som är lagda åt den masochistiska riktningen kan ju klicka på bilden och räkna om jag hade rätt.

Färdigt produkt, Chocolate Scotch Bonnet fick denna boning. Då den har många stora blad så räknar jag med att plantan hinner bli klar med sin tillväxtfas innan den går över till blombildningsstadiet. Klicka på bilderna för förstoring.

Pollinering av Bih Jolokian

2010-04-04T14:36:00.000+02:00

Jag har nog inte handpollinerat så ofta förut. Jag behöver några rena Bih Jolokia frön för framtiden och väljer att korspollinera den inom samma individ. Jag är osäker på om det går redan samma dag då blomman har öppnats men kommer testa det i några dagar i rad för att vara "säker" på att jag har skött min uppgift korrekt.

Jag tar först och fuktar en bomullstuss och sedan rör jag försiktigt i blomman i 20 sekunder ungefär. Jag försökte se om pollenen var synliga för ögonen. Icke sa Nicke.

Därefter för jag bomullstussen till nästa blomma och repeterar samma procedur. Idag handpollinerade jag på så vis 6 blommor. Då jag misstänker att det är tidigt på sässongen för Jolokia med avseende på ljusförhållanden så förväntar jag mig att blommorna ramlar av.

Men man vet aldrig. Kanske är pollineringen lyckad och plantan bestämmer sig för att köra på.

Två möjliga exempel med för mycket kväve vid fel tidpunkt till planta.

2010-04-04T14:24:00.000+02:00

Chocolate Jolokia. Lite för mycket kväve i förhållande till ljusmängd och stamlängd. Har överdimensionerade blad i förhållande till stam. Okänt om det medför negativa konsekvenser. Men det ser inte naturligt ut = inte superbra.
Notera dock att det är subjektiva bedömningar och inte en exakt vetenskap. Men jag anser att man kan få upp en känsla för vad som är naturligt förhållande mellan blad/stamlängd när man kan jämföra plantorna.

Klicka på bilden. Notera bladen vid stammens början. Det är massor av dessa. Plantan har tillverkat dessa för den hade den möjligheten utan problem ( d.v.s kväve var inte begränsande). I normala fall i naturen så är ju växter och djur oftast ganska strategiska med sin energianvändning i
tillväxtzonen.

Här är en närbild på Bih Jolokian. Jag kallar den här för
"Collar Jolokia" eller halskrage Jolokian. Trolig resultat av
för mycket kvävetillförsel vid fel tidpunkt.

Trinidad Scorpion

2010-04-03T19:39:00.000+02:00

Jag behöver få frön till denna. Någon som har ett bra tips får gärna skriva i forumet. Jag vill ha frön från en någorlunda säker källa med avseende på hybridisering etc. Det kan ju aldrig garanteras förstås. Men någon vet om någon som kanske har varit extra pedantisk med frön och så? Tack på förhand.

Höjddata på mina plantor

2010-04-03T19:25:00.000+02:00

Jag gillar att följa höjden på mina plantor. Detta är inte tänkt att roa läsarna. Men jag vill själv ha koll på det och skriver upp det i bloggen istället. Sorry ni som inte gillar siffror eller personliga
anteckningar.

Piquin = 34 cm ( stabil stam, lik ett litet miniträd)
Bih Jolokia ( proppad med c:a 30-40 blomskott) = 30 cm ( Kort som fan, JÄKLIGT buskig)
Naga Morich = 16 cm
Red Caribbean = 21 cm
Long Slim Cayenne = 15 cm
7 Pod = 8 cm
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet = 50 cm ( lyckats fantastiskt bra med denna, bra avelsplanta)
Piementa De Neyde = 51 cm ( Väldigt Lyckat, bra Avelsplanta)
Chocolate B. Jolokia = 28 cm ( För stora löv, inget kväve till denna)
Bishop Crown = 59 cm ( Har stannat i växten på grund av för lite ljustillgång, Tagit bort den från Lampan, Ingen effekt av den Större Terra-Kotta krukan hellre. Måste ge den ljus.)
Red Savina = 25 cm ( Eventuellt angripen av något som inhiberat tillväxten, Isolerar denna)

Första blommorna på Bih Jolokian

2010-04-03T18:42:00.000+02:00

Då var det dags att låta första blommorna träda fram. Detta på Bih Jolokian. Det ska noteras att jag inte har plockat bort blomskott på 7 dagar nu. Det jag har kunnat se är att vissa sorter "droppar" av sina presumtiva blommor.

Anledningen är spekulativ. Förklaringarna så här tidigt på våren är oftast på grund av värme och ljustillgång som är mest sannolik. Vad roligt det vore om växter kunde kommunicera istället. Då hade botanikerns liv varit enklare. Jag tog reda på vad jag har odlat nu.

Här kommer en lista för de som är förtjusta i listor.

Capsicum Chinense

Bih/Bhut blahablaha Jolokia ( trött på de olika namnen, kommer nog skriva Jolokia om det inte handlar om Chocolate Jolokian)
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet
Red Caribbean
Red Savina
7 Pot
Naga Morich ( från herr Hultstrand)
Chocolate Jolokia ( Hultstrand)
Trinidad Scorpion ( 1,5 månad i såjorden, jag hoppas fortfarande. Börjar hata Trinidaden.)

Capsicum Annuum

Long Slim Cayenne
Piquin ( okänd variant, men en av mina favoriter i utseende)

Capsicum Frutescens

Bird Pepper ( okänd variant)

Capsicum Pubescens

Turbo Pube
Rocoto Orange

Capsicum Chinense x Annuum

Piementa De Neyde ( Från Patahontas skafferi)

Dessutom har jag lyckats med

Morus Nigra, Mullbärsträd ( Dessa kommer placeras hos olika kompisars Landställen då de har
fått en lämplig höjd)
Ecchinaceae Purpurea ( Kommer fixa egen förkylningsmedicin av de här)
Någon okänd körsbärstomat som jag fick runt 100 tomater ifrån förra året.

Ligger i jord:

Sequoiadendron giganteum ( Mammutträd, ligger i jorden och väntar, kommer placera dem i en kruka med löv ovanpå och sedan bränna av löven för att imitera de naturliga sättet de vaknar till liv)
Trinidad Scorpion ( fan själv må ta dessa förbannade frön ( p.s det är inget ovanligt, Trinidad Scorpion är en sort som är mer problematiskt enligt vissa forum) )

Olika chilisorter har olika stora blomskott.

2010-03-26T22:23:00.000+01:00

Jag har en chilisort som heter Piquin ( Capsicum Annuum). Klicka in på bilden för att kolla in blomskottet på denna sort. Det är minigrejejn i grenvecket. Den är fan i mig mikroskopisk liten.

Då fick man lära sig något nytt. Det skiljer en hel del i blomsize på chilisar.

Fråga

2010-03-22T23:10:00.001+01:00

Kan man ta av blad på en planta för att plantera den djupare? Vad tycker ni? Jag lägger den som en diskussionsfråga.

Behaglig syn

2010-03-22T22:28:00.001+01:00

Piementa De Neyde har vackra blad. Växer jäkligt snabbt också. Vad har du lagt i jorden herr Hultstrand?? Jag har inte lagt i något kväve eller liknande själv. Plantan ligger nu på 40 cm prick.

Längst ner är den dock lite ranglig. Vilket föranleder mig att påpeka det för de som köpte plantor av mig. Använd gärna en fläkt. Plantor behöver också gympa. De kan bära mer frukt. Kommer lättare att klara sig utomhus. Får tjockare stjälkar och zzzzzzz.......

Jag planterade om Bishop Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum) . Om den kunde yttra sig så tror jag att den skulle samtycka till sin slutgiltiga bostad. Den fick en mainstream utstyrsel. En orange sak på c:a 8-10 liter. Kallas för Terracotta kruka för kategorin människor som är jättenyfikna.

Fan vad skönt. Det enda jag behöver tänka på nu är att vattna den.

En annan vinkel på den prydliga Bishop Hat. En av mina växter som syns i bakgrunden har utvecklats till en riktig förstklassig representant för sin sort.

Det är min mycket fina Chocolate Scotch Bonnet. Den har fått en grotesk tjock stam på en 30 cm planta. Mycket fläktvind har varit på den här.

Hade det varit en häst, så aspirerar den definitivt som en avelshingst. Det är precis det som är tänkt också. Men den har fått tuff konkurrens från Piementa De Neyden.
Ett ganska lyxigt problem för min del. Hur jag utformar min framtida korsningsmatris får jag organisera vid ett senare tillfälle.

Reservtrupperna ut på spaningsuppdrag.

2010-03-20T14:01:00.000+01:00

Jag skickade ut mina reservtrupper för att spana in solen. De skulle informera mitt elitgarde ifall det är "grönt" att hälsa på solen en stund. Mina elittrupper består naturligtvis av burdusa typer som biter skarpt ifrån sig vid minsta anstöt. Längst till vänster är deras förvånansvärt givmilde Fältmarshalk och den tillika snabbt växande General "Bishop". De andra i bakgrunden är busar, lönnmördare och stråtrövare av de värsta slag.

De tappra reservisterna är dessa. Notera även att det yngsta kompaniet har fått order om att hälsa på solen. Detta kan de göra tack vare sitt specialskydd. I sinom tid vet man resultatet av detta våghalsiga projekt. Den yngsta plutonen består bland annat av "Skorpionplutonen från Trinidad". Men dem anses jävligt lata. För de vill aldrig titta upp ur jorden. Ordervägran på ett tidigt stadium får icke förekomma på min ära! Jag samtycker inte till detta förfarande och har således inte gett upp hoppet om att de ska lära sig vett och etikett.

De andra från samma pluton är desto mer samarbetsvilliga och består av bönder som gillar "7 grytor" samt små ynglingar som går i puberteten med "turbo" fart.

Mammutträd i Stockholm

2010-03-17T18:51:00.000+01:00

Slutligen vill jag bara tillägga något intressant. Jag hade hört rykte om att ett mammut träd

(Sequoiadendron giganteum) var planterat i Stockholm. Naturligtvis var det i regi från Bergianska trädgården. Trädet var placerad på den så kallade "Nordamerikanska fjällen". Det var förbryllande att experimentet inleddes. Kanske var det en stark tro på växthuseffekten eller något liknande. Allmänt om (Sequoiadendron giganteum) kan ses via olika källor. Men det finns inte många kända exemplar på de högre breddgraderna. Ett känt exempel är i Malmö med en höjd på 18 m. Malmö är då i Zon 1? Jag rusade till Bergianska för att verifiera "myten" och trädets skick. Den var planterad 1999 och hade en höjd på c:a 3 m. Men såg ordentligt tilltufsad ut av den bistra vintern. Alla barr på hela plantan hade blivit orange-färgade. Dock så såg jag högst upp att det var grönt de sista 20 cm.

Trädgårdsmästaren på Bergianska var oroad över situationen men det fanns en chans att den skulle klara sig. Slutsatsen är att det kanske är möjligt att lyckas med att plantera mammut träd med ett gynnsamt skydd för vind och med mycket sol. Hoppas denna lilla utlägg angående sydligare arter i vårt karga land inspirerar er.

Avhärdningsprocess inlett.

2010-03-17T18:14:00.000+01:00

Jag har inlett processen med att härda åtminstone en planta för utomhusmiljö. Valet föll på den mycket snabbväxande Bishops Hat ( Capsicum Baccatum). Den här rackaren har haft en tillväxt-hastighet på c:a 1 cm/dag under de sista 20 dagarna. Jag trodde inte på det själv. Men thank god för mätningar. Bilden togs 2-24. Innebär 24 Februari för oss som inte förstår.

Den här rackaren är på c:a 54 cm nu! Den har vuxit till sig ganska bra på sistone på grund av flera subjektiva bedömningar.

Jag ljög. Jag har inga subjektiva bedömningar. Men boosten skulle kunna vara för den tillväxande ljusstyrkan av den naturliga solen. Här till vänster är ett bildbevis på härdning för utomhusmiljö under dagen. Jag tog ut den första gången 5 min. Dagen därpå 10 min. Tredje dagen 15 min. Det här rekommenderas EJ. Det är ett vågspel från min sida. Jag är osäker på hur den hanterar den kyliga luften. Men jävligt bra har den växt de senaste dagarna.

Mänsklig piss som gödningsmedel

2010-03-13T09:02:00.000+01:00

Lika bra att få ämnet avklarat.

Det är ingen myt att den mänskliga urinen innehåller en hög koncentration av kväve i form av Urea ( NH2-CO-NH2). I den mycket tillförlitliga källan wikipedia står följande
"Urine contains large quantities of nitrogen (mostly as urea), as well as significant quantities of dissolved phosphates and potassium, the main macronutrients required by plants. Diluted at least 8:1 with water it can be applied directly to soil as a fertilizer. Undiluted, it can chemically burn the roots of some plants."
Detta betyder att man kan alltså med utspädning 8:1 använda mänskligt urin som fertiliseringsmedel. De som vill prova det bör veta om att det finns en odörproblematik i samband med detta. Jag har testat detta i en utomhuskruka med utspädd urin för att se om tillväxthastigheten ökar eller inte. Plantan dog och det emannaerade en nyans av hundpiss. Kontentan av allt detta är att visst innehåller urin höga halter av kväve och den kan utnyttjas. Men urin är också ett sätt för människor att bli av med olika typer av gifter för den mänskliga kroppen. Att tillsätta detta till en behållare av mindre format kan vara ödesdigert. I en större trädgård bör det dock vara ok och till och med smart.

Grön lägenhet = ökad stressresilient.

2010-03-10T19:47:00.001+01:00

Blomskott på Bishop Hat ( Capscicum Baccatum)
Bort med skitet, tänkte jag.

Lustigt nog skötte moder Natur detta åt mig innan jag hann mobilisera handlingen. ( Ibland dröjer min mobilisering i några dagar).

Samma planta. Denna har nu nått en höjd på 42 cm. Krukan är på 3,5 liter. Själva omkrukningen skedde från 2,5 liter till 3,5 liter för 7 dagar sedan. Plantan bortskänkes till någon godtycklig vän som har ett utomhus ställe. Den gör sig bättre med svajande vind och dygnstemperaturvariatoner än inomhusmiljö.

Nu till något intressantare. Kolla in bladen precis vid jorden. Detta är på en Bih Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense) . Den här plantan har av någon anledning MASS-producerat småblad nere i bottenvåningen hos den. Det är helt bisarrt. Min löjligt nyfikna hjärna undrar, varför? Vad finns det för mening att producera så mycket så lång ner så att det nuddar jorden nästan? För mycket näring?
Ja, som man förstå är frågorna många. Någon vänlig själ som förstår sig på detta kan kanske svara på detta. Var god att kommentera med ett svar.

Plantan sedd ovanifrån. Klicka på bilderna för att få förståelse på storleken på minibladen vid botten.

Notera också de fina blomskotten på väg. Patrik i grannbloggen och jag hade diskussion om detta. Han tycker att man ska behålla dessa.
Jag mottog rådet men lyder under den finska bödeln Jukka Kilpinen. Jag har dock utvecklat en teori som är ett mitt emellan steg mellan båda dessa herrars råd. Dock applicerar jag den teorin nästa år.

I övrigt måste jag erkänna att det ser Jävligt bra ut nu. Att odla chili skänker mig mycket glädje. Jag hade en otroligt stressig helg på jobbet men repade mig förvånansvärt snabbt. Kanske är det att man sysslar med växter som gör att man har blivit resilient mot stress på något sätt? Billig, skön, vacker, lustfylld hobby. Som också är någon form av antistress medicin?

Extraplantorna slutsåld

2010-02-28T18:09:00.001+01:00

Plantorna som annonserades ut fick nya trygga kärleksfulla hem. Jag tackar köparna för sponsringen samt ber dem rådfråga mig vid eventuella problem.

Jag kan eventuellt få 3-4 nya plantor leveransklara om 1 månad. Men för tillfället är det slutsålt. Det är bra om vi chiliodlare har några dubletter kvar. I fall någon har riktigt otur kan man sponsra den andra av solidariska skäl.

Köparna får sina övriga plantor efter ytterligare tillväxt under magical lamp om c:a 2 veckor.

Plantor som var leveransklara. 2 Bih Jolokia, 1 Bishops Hat + 1 Chocolate scotch Bonnet i mycket fin skick. Dessa hittade nya trygga hem med mycket kärlek. Karaktäristiskt för mina plantor är att det har ganska tjocka stammar och är satta.

Detta beror på att mina plantor får mycket motion. Denna fläkt utnyttjas då och då under dagen. Det gör så att plantorna får "gympa" ( vänd gärna på krukan under fläktningsförhållandet så det blir jämn fin cellulosamuskulatur hos plantan). Ibland undrar jag om jag inte har överutnyttjat fläkten. Vissa plantor har fjällvärldskarakteristik. Tjocka stammar samt kraftiga blad.

Ovanifrån perspektiv på första leveransen. Största plantan var Bishops hat med en mankhöjd på 25 cm. Ena Bih Jolokian hade blomskott.

Säljer chiliplantor. Platsbrist. 26 Februari.

2010-02-26T09:20:00.001+01:00

Bih Jolokia förflyttas från 11 cm kruka till 15 cm kruka.

Måste erkänna att rotningen är ganska ok. Den här Bih Jolokian kommer må bra av att flytta in i ett nytt hus.

Så här ser odlingen ut idag. Upptäckte att jag lyckades lite väl bra med min odling och behöver bli av med en del plantor på grund av platsbrist. Alla plantor såddes 24 November 2009 och de har en ålder av minimum 2 månader. Klicka på bilden för att se det i större format.

Följande plantor behöver ett nytt hem. De flesta förutom Bih Jolokian är i 11 cm krukor.
2 Piquin ( Capsicum Annuum)
1 Bih Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense) ( Denna har redan bildat blomskott, ta bort dessa tills i början av April. Denna är i en 16 cm kruka).
2 Red Savina ( Capsicum Chinense)
1 Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense, Min personliga favorit, Planta med passion hjärta....till och med rytm!?)
1 Red Carribean ( Capsicum Chinense, jävligt god Habanero sort)

Så här ser plantorna ut framifrån.

P E Q U I N
( Capsicum Annuum)
Pequin. ( Capsicum Annuum). Pequin has a compact habit growing typically 0.3 - 0.6 meters tall, with bright green, ovate leaves and small fruits that rarely exceed 2 cm in length. Like most chiles, fruits start out green, ripening to brilliant red at maturity. Pequin peppers are very hot, often 7-8 times hotter than jalapenos on the Scoville scale (30,000-60,000 units). Flavor is described as citrusy, smoky, and nutty.

Båda i 14 cm kruka.
pris = 50 kr/st eller 80 kr för båda.

C h o c o l a t e S c o t c h B o n n e t
( Capsicum Chinense)
Chocolate Scotch Bonnet ( Capsicum Chinense).
Min personliga favorit. Får chokladbruna frukter. Luktar riktigt gott om bladen. Är huvudkaraktär i min egen korsningsmatris. Det är denna som jag tänker hybridisera med alla andra arter via en korsningsmatris ( modell a la farbror Kilpinen).

11 cm kruka.

pris = 60 kr.

C a r i b b e a n R e d
( Capsicum Chinense )
Originating from the Yucutan Peninsula in Mexico, this pepper variety is FEROCIOUSLY HOT. It is twice as hot as a standard Habanero Chile and over 80 times hotter than an Jalapeno Pepper! The slightly wrinkled chiles are approximately 1 inch wide by 1.5 inches long and are similiar in shape to the Habanero. The chiles ripen from lime green to a brilliant red in 110 days and are produced on very productive plants that reach 30 inches tall. As well as the blistering heat, they have a lovely fruity flavour which makes them an excellent choice for use in salsa's, marinades. Plantan är i 11 cm kruka.
Pris = 60 kr.

B i h J o l o k i a
( Capsicum Chinense)
This landrace chile originates from the northeast of India. It belongs to Capsicum chinense family and is known by many names. The most common names include Bhut jolokia or Bih jolokia. Bih jolokia translates to 'poison chilli' in Assamese. Bhut Jolokia translates to 'Ghost chilli' probably due to its ghostly bite. It is also called Raja Mircha which means 'King of Chillies'.
typical height of Bih Jolokia to be in the range of 45 to120 cm. Fruits are 5 to 8.5 cm in length, 2.5 to 3 cm in diameter.
Denna har redan bildat blomskott. Plantan är i 16 cm kruka.
Pris = 75 kr.

R e d S a v i n a
( capsicum Chinense)
The Red Savina Habanero was reputed to be the worlds hottest Chile pepper weighs in at a whooping 577,000 Scoville Units!!!
Extreme caution must be taken when handling this pepper which has been known to blister sensitive skin. These firebombs grow on medium sized 2-3ft plants, with each plant producing up to 50 bright red coloured wrinkled fruits which reach maturity approx 100 days after transplanting.
Plantan är i 11 och 14 cm kruka.

pris = 50 kr eller 80 kr för båda.

Maila mig vid intresse. Måste vara i Stockholm! Bor själv i Älvsjö.

salemsson.michael@gmail.com

Tredje Bih Jolokian, Första Red Savinan, blomskottsbildning.

2010-02-20T17:52:00.000+01:00

Första Red Savinan har fått blomskott. Det är den lilla blomknoppen gömd bland bladen. Strategiskt evolutionärt vald plats för att gömma en känslig liten blomma. Smart planta. Bra med evolution.

Plikten kallar. Pincetten, den som en del tar noppar ögonbrynen med ( i mitt fall "noppar?" jag bort näshår med denna), kommer fram.

Farbror Kilpinnen, ni vet, den finska chiligurun. Har varit tydlig gentemot mig. "Perkele om du får blomskott i Februari eller Mars! Bort med Blomjävlaaarna!" sa han. Jag inbillar mig en fräsande, morrande och chiliälskande finne. Som viftar hotfullt med en flaska "cobra venom" i min riktning. Man inser snabbt att det imaginära hotet är övermäktigt. Även om hela Östersjön skiljer mig från dennes fysiska gestalt så försvinner blomskottet raskt. Detta efter ha varit någon dag på denna jord. Själv skyller jag på finnen och min rädsla för denne.

Bildbevis på att en tredje Bih Jolokia ( Capsicum Chinense) har fått blomskott. Jag undrade. Någon kanske kan vara vänlig att förklara detta för mig. Vad är skillnaden mellan Bih Jolokia och Bhut Jolokia? En autistisk del av mig väcks till liv. Varför inte bestämma sig för ett namn om det är samma "sort"? Är inte det bara förvirrande med 8 olika namn på samma sort? Om det är nu samma sort chili? Dessa blomskott mötte "pincettbödeln". May you R.I.P. Kom gärna tillbaks vid mars. Eller när farbror Kilpinen säger att det är ok.

Intressant frågeställning angående avståndet planta-lysrör.

2010-02-19T12:46:00.000+01:00

Eftersom det är första gången jag odlar med artificiellt ljus är det ganska intressant att veta vad som kan vara lämpligt avstånd mellan Lysrör och planta? Min egen lösning är att jag varierar denna avstånd under dagen. Så att man simulerar olika ljusstyrkor. Allra närmast hamnar Capsicum Baccatum ( Bishops Hat) med ett avstånd på 3 cm under en period av dagen. Jag har gjort små öglor så att jag försöker simulera olika tidpunkter på dygnet. Nördigt? Yep, utan tvekan. Passionerat? Absolut. Det ska tilläggas att mina lysrör inte bildar så mycket värme. Lysrörsarmaturen köptes från Willabgarden för c:a 800 kr ( alldeles för dyrt). Men det sköna med den är att den genererar inte så mycket värme.

4 Bih Jolokias ( 2 har skaffat blomskott)

2010-02-18T20:04:00.000+01:00

2010 Februari 18. Jag upptäckte att den andra Bih Jolokian har också fått blomskott. Dags att ta fram pincetten och köra igång blomskottborttagning. Känns för jävligt. Men jag går inte emot finska råd. Så är det bara.

Intressant är att inga andra av mina miniplantor har fått blomskott ännu ( om man bortser från den nakna Habaneron).

Plockar bort blommor från Bih Jolokian.

2010-02-18T19:59:00.000+01:00

Enligt finske chiligurun Jukka Kilpinen så ska man plocka bort blommor om chilin börjar blomma i ett tidigt stadium. Det gör så att plantan fokuserar på sitt vegetativa stadium. Vem är jag att säga emot en finne?? Det var bara att ta pincetten och köra igång blomskottborttagningsoperationen.

Nya Habaneron, ( en framtida Bonchi??)

2010-02-18T19:52:00.000+01:00

Så här ser Habaneron ut efter nedklippning OCH ISOLERING. Om den här plantan kommer klara sig heter jag Per-Arne Svensson.
Men om man tittar in den finske chiligurun Jukka Kilpinens artiklar om Bonchi. Så inser man att än är inte hoppet ute.

Min Fina Habanero

2010-02-18T16:55:00.000+01:00

Min fina Habanero den 24 December 2009. Bladen och allt såg fina ut. Om man går längre ner i forumet så såg man vad för typ av bladskada den fick senare. I panik klippte jag bort varenda blad och grenar den 16 Februari 2010. Intressant med den här Habaneron är att den fick bladlöss. Jag har redan klippt ner den två gånger d.v.s alla blad. Då jag gick en fruktlös kamp mot bladlössen. Jag hade testat alla klassiska metoder. Till slut doppade jag hela plantan i ett badkar med såpa i 30 minuter!! När det fortsatte komma löss efter det så klippte jag bort allting. Det man ser på bilden är hur den ser ut efter klippning och bladlössangrepp. Kort sagt en riktig jävla överlevare denna Habanero. Skulle den dö så skulle jag bli lite ledsen. " Hang in there buddy".