The Hottest Pepper Blog

Question:

hi terry here from iowa i have these peppers growing they are jus now turning red how long do they need to stay on the vine in order to get the full heat your help would be greatful thanks

Answer:

Aloha Terry,

Let the peppers turn pure red without any tint of orange at the tip. Make sure that they are still “crisp” when you pick them and pick them after sunset or early in the morning. It is important to “snip” the peppers off of the plant rather than pulling them off.  Cut at least 1/2″ away from the pepper plant. Some people suggest at least an inch but I think 1/2″ is plenty and will not result in harm to the plant.

Good luck!

Jamie

Question:

Jamie,

First off, I want to thank you for sending my seeds off so quickly. I received them in the mail today. I am looking forward to the challenge of trying to grow these little suckers. This is where I have questions.

I live in Colorado Springs and will need to grow the seeds inside somehow. The growing season here is not warm enough or long enough for the peppers to grow. Because of this I was wondering what your recommendations would be as far as an indoor setup?

I know this is a very broad and open-ended question, but I think that you will have a better idea of where to start than I do. I do have gardening experience, so I will not need you to go over the basics. What I am looking for is information about heaters, soils, containers and light sources that you would recommend.

Again, thanks for the seeds. I am looking forward to your reply.

Thanks,

Adam Douglass

Answer:

Aloha Adam,

Thanks for your business. I wrote a blog on indoor growing but cannot find it on my site. I will dig into the archives and try to find it for you. But, I am not an expert and I used a consensus of what I was able to find online.  My research showed that using Cool Watt 40 bulbs were best and very close to the plants. I think that the light were used almost all day but cannot remember. I would go online and “google” it.

I do know that Bhuts need a big bucket to grow in. This is because they like to establish a deep, compact root system. They do not grow well in smaller pots.  I would use a 15 gallon bucket for sure.  After your plants are established, deep water to 16″ slowly every 2-3 days as needed.  Do not fertilize for at least 3-4 weeks after transplanting. Use only a non “hot” organic source such as well composted horse manure. Do not use cow manure as it contains salt.

For germination, be sure to soak the seeds overnight in water. Keep the seeds in a moist not wet environment with temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees. They will start sprouting in about 7-10 days.  Don’t panic if they are not up in that time period. Sometimes it takes 30 days to get results.

I hope that this helps. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Jamie

Question:

Hello Jamie whats up? Tom Biesiadecki in Sea girt New Jersey here. I bought some seeds from you not to far back and have a few questions. It took a little while to get them going but I hope I,m on the right track my question is when I bring these plants in for the winter how much light per day should they get (sun or artificial)?. My concern is that they are not going to bear fruit because of the time limitations of our growing season and I would hope to keep the season going by introducing the plants to artificial light in my down season. If that is possible. I would also like to know what type of food is best to insure maximum output? I attached a photo of my five healthy plant. How am I doing?

Answer:

Aloha Tom,

Your plants look great. Yeah, you will have to bring them inside as soon as the temperatures dip below 65 at night. I wrote a blog on winterizing your plants. It should be on my site, but I cannot find it. I don’t have to ability to reproduce it, but it still may be there. If not, you can go online and find this information. I am not an expert at indoor growing, and the blog I wrote was a consensus of a lot of information that I found online.

Best of luck and keep up the good work!

Jamie

Question:

Jamie,

Our Bhuts are enjoying the Tennessee weather very well. We have a total of 9 VERY healthy plants that are just loaded with pods.

I have one question of concern. One of our plants has developed a few pods with brown spots on them that appear to be affecting the other pods. I am not sure if it is spreading or if it is ok.

They are all in containers so I may isolate the one pot with the most effected pods.

Any input on what this may be? or if you have seen something similar. Other than that the plants are very beautiful and healthy looking.

I cannot wait to try them. Thank you again for any input.

Shan Webb

Answer:

Aloha Shan,

Thanks for writing. Sounds to me like White fly, or maybe some type of fruit fly but this is only a guess. I would  buy organic neem oil and spray all of your plants. Dilute as directed and spray at the end of the day. This oil is very pungent and works very well on all sorts of critters.

Thanks,

Jamie

Question:

I hope to grow some hot peppers lol watched some of your videos on youtube and what not just wanted to say thanks alot for providing me with the chance to grow some of the hottest peppers in the world got one question though do u think they will grow good here in alabama?

Thank You,

pmac

Answer:

Sure, but make sure that you deep water to 16″ very slowly every 2 days or so when it is hot. If the temperatures are over 90 a lot, you will have to use shade cloth to cool it down a bit. The optimum temperature for growing “Bhuts” is 85-90 degrees. They do not like getting stressed out by the heat.

Good luck!

Jamie

Question:

Hey Jamie,

Greetings from Bonnie Scotland. Hope your well. Just to say a big thanks for you promoting the Ghost…Its amazing, although in small quantities,,,i cant begin to describe the intense experience. Its just such a hard thing explaining to people why i like it. They think i am crazy. Anyhow, i loved your vid whilst giving the ghost a test drive,to this day, it still splits my sides..

Big love,
Colin Milne
Edinburgh,
Bonnie Scotland

Answer:

Cheers Colin,

Thanks for the nice note.  I am glad that you are having good luck in Scotland.  Are you going to St. Andrews next week for the Open?

I would like to visit some day and tour a few golf courses.

Thanks again,
Jamie

Question:

Aloha Jamie-san,

Thank you so much for producing such a wonderful product!
I totally satisfied with the batch you recently sent me! Amazing stuff!!
I’m a restaurant owner in Japan and will be holding a special event in September featuring your pepper in our curry.
I’m in need of more of  “the hottest pepper”!
I see that you are sold out at the moment hence this mail, what to do?!
Please advise.

Peace,
Chuck

Answer:

Aloha Chuck,

I will have more product for you in about a month or so. What quantity would you like to purchase?  Please let me know and I will save some for you.

Cheers,

Jamie

Question:

Jamie

I have purchased seeds from you guys and they are growing great!  One question that I have is that my plant is growing in an Aerogarden but won’t seem to flower it is about 95 days in is there Amy advise you can give me to help it flower?

Answer:

Aloha,

I don’t know anything about growing via the Aerogarden or similar.  You may want to search for blogs online that can help you with this.

Good luck,

Jamie

Question:

hi terry here i live in centerville iowa i have 8 big plants with peppers on them now i grew them because i was told i couldn’t do them in iowa what i would like to know is how can i make a hot sauce i have them growing in pots any info would sure be a big help thanks

Answer:

Aloha Stanley,

Use the Bhut just as you would other peppers, BUT do not use as much. Most of the time I use my dried flakes as it is easier to control the heat.

Good luck!

Jamie
thehottestpepper.com