Terrene, got bad news for you, you're a gonner. Those seeds are going to germinate and you sure don't want them to start now. You will start to see your sprouts,probably in the beginning of April. that's assuming they aren't under a couple of feet of snow. First you will see only one or 2 containers with sprouts, then a few more at a time, and then, oops, they are germinating, in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening every day. If you have any doubts about those seeds turning into seedlings and plants, just remember my plant swaps and all those containers in the back yard, all the seedlings potted up to give away. Everyone of them where from wintersowing. And guess what? All those containers are piling up out back again. So just bring along all your extra "off spring" to the swap this year. Welcome, terrene, to the family of wintersowing. and welcome, dritbert, doesn't take long to become addicted. Fran

The Apricot Chutney in the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving is WONDERFUL!!! I love it, especially served with roast pork or chicken (and if the meat ended up a little dry or overcooked, the chutney REALLY improves it). Tomato jam can be used where ketchup might be used - so on burgers, sandwiches (delicious with turkey sandwiches). It's also delicious on crackers with cream cheese or an herbal dip (my preference). Some like them on a rustic bread with a soft cheese. The pepper jellies are very often warmed up a bit (if too firm) and poured over a brick of cream cheese to serve with crackers and small bread slices at parties. Absolutely yummy. The cream cheese can help with the heat of the pepper jellies if they are a little too hot (many people love them that way). They also can be a lovely glaze for grilled meats like chicken.

There's a product called d-2 (it has 2 or 3 other names) that is made by the people who make Simple Green. It is used by the national park service to clean the national cemetery headstones. It's supposed to be safe for most all kinds of stone. It can be used with water or without. I have samples that I have not yet used, so I can't judge it's effectiveness. It says it removes mold, algae, mildew, lichen and moss. The ones I need to do are in a remote cemetery without water. These are the graves of my gggrandfather and his immediate family. I don't go there often, but now, since you all mentioned it, I will take before and after photos. bkay

trfanatic: I think I'm grounded back in 2008 now. Think maybe the hot stuff got to me before :) pbishop: I grew 1 plant from one seed. (had great germination of all seeds I received from John) I transplanted PI 238051 into a 12 inch diameter, 10 inch tall pot on my south facing patio using Promix potting mix. I fertilized a few times throughout the season with a generic Miracle Grow-like liquid when the leaves looked a bit yellowish. The PI 238051 grew well, as did all my other peppers. My season wasn't long enough for much to ripen so I took the pots inside and have them by a south facing double patio door. I think only a handful of the PI 238051s ripened before coming inside. The plant now has over 25 ripe, bright red pods, and the leaves are still dark green. Looks like I should use it instead of buying Christmas plants! The plant is compact and bushy, about 15 inches tall. It looks like a suitable houseplant to me :) Some of the other pepper plants have had aphids that I sprayed off but so far the PI looks fine. I'm not a good person to ask about taste since anything with much heat overwhelms me and I don't notice much else. I did just taste one of these before replying, though. The bottom end was mild, and sweet with maybe a fruity taste hidden in there. The third nibble up was hot, but not "oh, no, I can't stand it" hot. And the burn went away after only a few minutes. So I'd guess most of you would consider it only slightly hot :) Hope yours grows well for you next season.