Hi Barbara, I'm in eastern Bartow county, about 3 miles from the Cherokee county line. We live in a wooded area, so I'm sure we do have possums and raccoons. My spinach is up, so I'm about to go off to get some blood meal--thanks, JT and Jules for that advice...been wondering how in the world to keep them out of that little patch without putting a line of the electric fence down low. Didn't want to do that because my mini-doxie might get into the fence and that would break my heart! So far, my hosta that the deer were eating has grown additional leaves with no more dear nibbles and what was left of my Asiatic lilies is coming out. I'm beginning to like this electric fence-thing, although it is a pain to try to remember to unplug it before going out to the garden. ZZZZT!!! It's much more attractive than the CAUTION tape, that I'm certain the deer could read! JUST KIDDING! Can you visualize deer wearing glasses, reading the word, caution, and saying, "Hey, Bubba...I guess that means we can't go in there!" JT...I hestiate to ask because I feel so stupid, but what does hornworm pupae look like? I'm not even sure that I would know it if I saw it. My son planted all the pepper plants last Saturday, and as far as I could tell, there were not pupae of any kind in that area. I did find what I think is Japaneese Beetle larvae in the surrounding yard. I'm expecting their visit as adults very soon. Thanks, again, to all of you; you have been so helpful! Beverly

you can purchase dried hot pepper powder on the internet. I recommend something mild from New Mexico. then add that to your plate of food. sprinkle it on top. This way you can control the heat. the best flavor and low heat is Chimayo. the oldest true heirloom in america. over 400 years. Phone 505-351-4112 a local in Chimayo who sells chiles. Chimayo from the Casados Farm in Chimayo. 1/3 pound for only $4.50 ( thats over 5 ounces If you want seeds to grow then tell the sales person and get the flakes with seeds. if you are not growing them then get the powder. You will not be sorry. This is very mild and very high flavor. you will love it. They also sell mild not chimayo chile powder for a little less but it will have less flavor. Treat yourself to the best. the cost is very low. If you get the flakes with seeds then just filter out the seeds from the powder in the container. no problem. you only need a few hundred seeds. the germination will be a little low from drying the chiles in the hot sun. but enough will germinate. Then you must save seeds from the plants you grow. these will have close to 100% germination. If you want a similar heirloom pepper from new mexico with more heat then you can try espanola. I picked my first one this week and it might be a little less hot than a Jalapeno. But hard to tell for sure. but definitely hot. the chimayo is very mild and you will love it. good luck Here is a link that might be useful: chimayo

All peppers are edible, if the plant has not been sprayed with pestisides. However some of the ornamental ones do not taste good, since they are grown for looks. What shape are the peppers? I have Bolivian Rainbows, which stays quite compact and peppers start purple and ripen to red through yellow and orange phases. Peppers on it are small and have a bit the conical shape. An other one which has same color peppers is Pretty Purple, but the peppers on it are totally round. Some people dry and grind ripe Bolivian Rainbow peppers to be used as seasoning. I have so many other hot peppers growing that I have not yet done that. Sometimes I have eaten the whole red Bolivian Rainbow peppers from plant at my desk. I have noticed that they are not so hot as the ones grown in garden. Pretty Purple: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/svalli/Chili/PrettyPurpleripe.jpg Bolivian Rainbow: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/svalli/Chili/BolivianRainbow.jpg (This one has been growing inside, so leaves do not have purple)

Usually topping a plant will promote foliage growth. Best thing to do would probably be to prune all the blooms and buds. If you have full size pods, you should have a good chance at some ripe ones. Once they start, they go fast and as the plant senses shorter days and cooler nights, it will hurry up the ripening process. As long as it doesn't get too cold, like below 35, your plant should do OK. Cover it if you have to on the early frost nights. and place it where it will get the most direct sun during the day. I am in zone 4b an usually wind up pulling my plants the first week of October. 90 degrees here today though. On Friday night, it is supposed to be a low of 45. Freeking fall weather is so unpredictable.