skip to main content

When/How to Start Chili Peppers (Bhut Jolokia) in FL, Zone 10a

gardeningnaples

13 years ago

Besides a few tomato plants years ago when I lived in Connecticut, I'm completely novice when it comes to all forms of gardening, so please excuse my ignorance. I'm in southwest Florida (Naples), zone 10a, a few miles from the Gulf. I have some Bhut Jolokia chili pepper seeds that I took out of an absolutely DEADLY HOT pepper that a neighbor gave me. What is the ideal time of year to start these seeds in my area?

Here's my plan. Someone please tell me if it's flawed. I think it's too hot and humid outside for them in the summer, so I was planning to start them now indoors in small pots. Give them through-the-window sunlight during the day, then fluorescent lights at night, for a total 20 hours/day of light. Then transplant them outside in November into large ~30 gallon "storage" containers (24" x 18" x 18"), two or three plants to a container. Good plan, or no? Any advice or suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

sambo725
13 years ago
I live in northwest Fl zone 8. I start my seeds indoors in January and plant outside in April. I usually get a good harvest in June, then plants go dormant because of heat, and I get another harvest end of sept and nov. If your weather gets below 50 degrees in dec and jan I would not plant outside in nov. I would wait and start seeds end of Nov-dec and plant out end of feb-march. as soon as night temps stay above 50.

Sam
florida_country_boy
13 years ago
I start mine in November indoors, plant out on 3/1. And the 2nd season started a couple weeks ago, and I started mine outside so I dont have to go through hardening off the plant. I think you'd be fine to start some now, you might not harvest any before winter, but your plant will have a good size and be ready for spring.

Its easy to over-winter the plant in our climate, just bring the plant inside on nights that we have a frost warning. Although that would be difficult with a 30 gallon container. For the peppers that I leave in the ground over-winter, I just cover them with hay at night.
Related Discussions
Growing The Bhut Jolokia Pepper
Q
Comments (48)
I started growing bhut jolokias a couple of years ago. They do have a low germination rate. It is very important to use fresh seeds that were dried properly. Last year I spent close to $20 on about 30 seeds and had good germination from them. They came from a company called "seed man". I have read good and bad about the company. I had very good germination rates from most of it, but low on a couple of them and none of the Vietnamese Hot peppers germinated at all. So you spend your money and take your chances I suppose. Seeds are living things and some just don't do well. The seeds I saved had much lower germination rates. I'm still learning how to handle them and prepare them properly. This year I bought live plants, mostly for convenience and I suspect my own had bred with other varieties. But these Jolokies do not like the cold, they prefer high temperatures. And bugs love the leaves so you have to keep them dusted. Also, they are very late season, so people in northern latitudes have to get started indoors really early if you expect to get anything ripe. On the positive side, they apparently do well indoors. I brought one plan in for the winter. After loosing some foliage from the shock it took off and grew really well all winter. Lots of foliage under no light other than a 26 watt CFL (100W equivalent), but didn't produce any flowers or peppers all winter.
...See More
Bhut Jolokia Best Growing Conditions Thread 2
Q
Comments (118)
That is for sure not a Bhut Plus side is you gained working experience thru all this Bhuts are an OK strain to work with,hardly at the top of the Super ranks but still respectable heat. There are many other strains out here that will put even the best of bhut strains to same at the SHU level. Someone mentioned it back up the thread somewhere and it is very much incorrect,for novice eaters "its good enough",but both the heat and flavor are comparatively lacking compared to many other super strains currently available. Primo Bubblegum Butch T BrainStrain Moruga Look for them
...See More
bhut jolokia PH & more
Q
Comments (18)
Here's the thing...in a container, soil pH is far less important than in the ground. What is important is the pH of the watering/fertigating solution. In the container, pH is constantly changing, depending upon moisture levels, fertility levels, and temperature. A lot of water in the U.S. is over 7.0 on the pH scale. Over time, minerals can accumulate in the potting media, which causes the pH to rise - the so-called "alkaline creep." Eventually, these excess solids might impact the ability of the roots to take up moisture and nutrients. In a container, where a short fix is needed, white vinegar or citric acid (wine making supplies) perfectly fit the bill. Just use enough vinegar to lower the watering solution to 5.0 - 5.8 or so, record the amount required, and then use that same amount every time you fertilize or water. The effects of vinegar are not long-lasting (like sulfur), but certainly stable enough to allow the plants to get a good dose of nutrients at the time of application. Do I think this is absolutely necessary? No. But if you really want to fiddle with cultural conditions, modifying fertigating solution is a start. Josh
...See More
any one growing this: Bhut Jolokia' ?
Q
Comments (60)
The few Bhut we grew again this year are just now setting fruit but are already odd-shaped & wrinkled. Hubby just grows them for powder after he dries & grinds them. They always germinate so slow & grow so slow at first but then catch up to the Barker, Heritage Big Jim, NM Heritage 6 & our own 'Sin Nombre'. Seed purchased from NM State U. in Las Crucws, NM. & they went back to the old original Big Jim & NM 6 seed to 'reclaim' the better chili flavor x those old varieties. Hubby's ten dehydrators & one mixer/blender are kept in the garage & are used for nothing else... the fumes linger there year round!Second picking of the Big Jim & so far have picked 63 lbs. & roasted & frozen; the Barker was roasted, peeled & dried & ground for powder like the Bhut. 'Senior years' has lessened the ability to eat the EXTRA-HOT 'Sin Nombre' any more! Very hot & dry weather here this year so the chilies must like it! They are on soaker hoses on timers. Hatch though has gotten a lot of rain so hope it doesn't hurt their crops this year. Sad as I've heard some 'Hatch' labelled chili is coming up from Mexico but the local stores have the Hatch farms names on the labels so think those are legitimate. Good luck all chili growers with your crops this year!
...See More
gardeningnaples
Original Author
13 years ago
Very good suggestions, thanks for the replies. Maybe I'll just start a few plants now, then a few more more in a couple of months. I might even try a couple in smaller containers that I can bring inside in case we get a night where frost is a danger. I'm new to southern Florida, having lived in Connecticut my entire life, so I'm not exactly clear on how many near- and below-freezing nights we get here most winters. I know we had a couple last winter (we found two iguanas in the yard one cold morning that went into a hibernation state and just fell right out of the trees!).

Related Stories

FLOWERS 8 Knockout Flowers for a Fall Container Garden

Your cups will overfloweth with color and interest this fall when you plant these vivid seasonal garden classics

GARDENING GUIDES Grow a Beautiful Fall Garden in a Pot

Welcome autumn with 7 gorgeous plants that thrive in containers and enliven your porch or patio throughout the cooler season

LIFE Simple Pleasures: Put On Your Slippers

By Laura Gaskill

Preserve the peace and protect your floors and carpets by turning your home into a no-shoes zone

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING World of Design: 10 Home Gardeners Show Us Their Sweet Summer Harvests

From New York to Tokyo, these gardeners have turned their yards, terraces and rooftops into places of bounty

MIDCENTURY HOMES Houzz Tour: An Eichler's Interior Gets a Major Overhaul

By Laura Gaskill

Extensive interior work gives a 1973 home in California better flow and a brighter outlook

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Add a Kitchen Backsplash

By Mitchell Parker

Great project: Install glass, tile or another decorative material for a gorgeous and protective backsplash

SAVING WATER Xeriscape Gardens: How to Get a Beautiful Landscape With Less Water

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Conserve water and make gardening much easier with the xeriscape approach’s 7 principles

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

By June Scott Design

New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard

By Laura Gaskill

End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Recipes: Secret Ingredients of 5 One-of-a-Kind Cooking Spaces

By Sheila Schmitz

Learn what went into these cooks’ kitchens — and what comes out of them

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor