skip to main content

Bhut jolokias and Caribbean reds-any tips?

16 years ago

I have a few bhut jolokias and caribbean red habaneros that I just got. I started the bhuts from seed, and bought the hab from a nursery yesterday. My bhuts have been growing EXTREMELY slowly ever since they sprouted, and I am worried that I am doing something wrong. I have them in pots with potting soil and a little perlite and spagnum peat moss. I water/fertilize with fish emulsion or miracle grow about once a week when the soil gets dried out. How should I plant them once they out-grow their little pots? My hab has a few tiny peppers and is about 6-8" tall-healthy looking too. My bhuts are maybe 2" tall with 3-6 leaves tops. They have been growing since at least January. Is it just the extreme heat that cuses them to grow so darn slowly? Any and all tips, comments or help would be greatly appreciated!

Brian

P.S. I had some New Mexico peppers last year and they seemed to thrive, but they were in plain dirt.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

habbob
16 years ago
Habs are pretty slow growing. I've grown CR for a few years now. Never the bhut, should be the same. I use 1/3 perlite to soil with no moss.

Be patient. Peppers are tough.

I've got 4 CRs and 4 Fatallis comin up _slowly_. Gunna fert once the tue leave appear.

-HabBob
shelbyguy
16 years ago
I got some Trinidad Scorpion seed in trade, and boy if it isn't the least vigorous little sprout I ever ran across.

I think it has to do with excessive inbreeding as a land race, so it has zero hybrid vigor. They'll eventually take off once they have enough leaves [or at least mine did, but it took patience]
Related Discussions
Bhut Jolokia soil and care?
Q
Comments (3)
are you sure that is a 10 gallon container? it is small enough to sit on a plate so im guessing it is a 1 gallon container.
...See More
Bhut Jolokia Potting Soil/Fertilizer help
Q
Comments (4)
You'll probably hate me too. I've had great success starting and growing Jolokias. Your container size, half barrels, is fine. I grow mine in 5 gallon pots. I understand that soil/growing medium can help achieve optimum results but I'm lazy. I do just fine using ProMix BX which is mostly peat. Not sure where you heard they don't like peat? As for fertilizer, farmer friends turned me onto a commercial 20-8-20 mix. It's primarily used in forestry but it works really well for peppers. FWIW, Bill
...See More
SE Florida Bhut Jolokia, Caribbean Red, Aji Limon
Q
Comments (6)
Hey Jay... Last years Bhut germination was terrible This year I germinated seeds from my one Bhut plant that went in the ground Late April 09 and survived the brutal summer last year and the cold winter....The plant has survived and will hopefully get vegetative growth again when we warm up...The germination rate of the seeds was awesome in peat pellets on a heat mat inside... The seeds I purchased from NMSU Chile Institute had a great germination rate too using the same method... My biggest battle each year is whitefly infestation so this year I'm looking to make some bright yellow traps covered in vaseline to see if I can control them better.... BTW Bhut germination usually takes a long time, but the seeds I got from NMSU and my own saved seeds popped up quickly on the heat mat (kit bought at the local home improvement store... Where are you in WPB?
...See More
Identify the fake Bhut Jolokia (pic)
Q
Comments (26)
Actually, I have. I think it's terra time tide. I got her name from Smoke years ago. I've actually got good seeds from her in the past. and when I had issues with the Choc. cherry's not germinating, she sent me more seeds, still issues, so she figured her seeds were bad so she got new plants and bought 3 for me and sent them to me. Great lady. But, yeah, other than her, not much good. Pam
...See More
ssimon2000
16 years ago
I have a bhut jolokia in my aerogarden, and even in that environment it grows extremely slow. "Normal" peppers fruit in about 6 weeks in this system, but it's been almost 5 months and nothing yet; it does look like it has some buds starting. Very healthy, though.

Related Stories

NORTHEAST GARDENING Northeast Gardener's July Checklist

By Paintbox Garden

Fire up your garden with sun-loving yellow and red blooms to put you in a party mood for outdoor summer fun

TROPICAL STYLE Cast Away for South Seas Style

By Christine Ciarmello

Oh, to be in Tahiti right now. The next best thing: tips from South Seas resorts to create that lovely getaway feel at home

COLOR Kitchen Color: 15 Beautiful Blue Backsplashes

By Jennifer Ott Design

Blue is the new cool kid on the backsplash block, showing up in shades from pale ice to cobalt

CURB APPEAL Clues to Finding the Right Color for Your House

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Waffling over the rainbow of color options for your home's face? This advice from an architect can help

SAVING WATER 11 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Carol Crotta

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water

COLOR How to Choose a Paint Color

By Erin Carlyle

Designers offer tips for examining your closet, memories and daily life to find the right paint colors for your home

CURB APPEAL 9 Daring Colors for Your Front Door

By Jennifer Ott Design

Stand out from the neighbors with a touch of neon green or a punch of hot pink

REMODELING GUIDES 15 Ways to Design an Easy-Clean Home

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Spend more time doing what you love with these pointers for minimizing cleaning needs throughout the entire house

DECORATING GUIDES 10 Ways to Update a Victorian Living Room

By Lara Sargent

Bring your period living room sensitively into the 21st century with these simple yet effective design tricks

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Invite Entertaining Hummingbirds Into Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Hummingbirds — unique to the Americas — zip through open landscapes seasonally or year-round. Here’s how to attract them

Sponsored

Structural Remodeling

Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!