Hey Jamie. Its Mike I’m Wash.DC. I love my plant looks like I may get more than 100 peppers off my plant. Your seeds R top shelf!!!!

Mike

Answer:

Aloha Mike,

Cool! Glad that you are satisfied. Your plant looks great! How hot are the peppers? You can save the seeds from your peppers but make sure that you wait until the peppers are very red before you pick them. This will make sure that the seeds are mature and will reproduce.

Cheers,
Jamie

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

Hope you don’t mind another question or two…I have several peppers that are almost completely red with a touch of orange on the top and also several orange and of course new green ones. When do you pick the peppers? Then, do I put them in the fridge or leave them out? How long are they good for? Can you freeze them for future use? Should I take extra precaution with them in the heat?
Thanks,
Tom

Answer:

Hi Tom,
Pick your peppers when they are completely red but still firm and crunchy. Do not allow your peppers to stay on the plant past this point or they will become soft and limp. Rinse them very briefly in cold water then allow them to dry. Do not soak in water. They do not store well at room temperature, so get them into the fridge ASAP. It is best to vacuum pack them if you can. It is not a good idea to freeze them as they would be soggy when you defrost them. The best thing to do would be to cut them in half and then dry them in the sun, or dehydrate them. If you would like to use the seeds, take the seeds out first as the sun can damage their ability to germinate.
Good luck,
Jamie

Hey Jamie it’s Mike in Wash.DC. I just wanted to let you know my plant is doin great!

I took some pics. One quick question. I’m noticing the plant kinda takin a purple color in the stems. Is this normal? Or indication of a problem. The plant is about 2 feet tall and very full and bushy. Just curious. Takes a look a the pics! Doin my best to make ya proud of me with a successful grow!

Take care buddy,
Mike

Dear Mike
It looks perfect and should start flowering soon.  Keep me updated as it’s always good to see how other Bhut enthusiasts are doing with the seeds!

Mahalo,
Jamie

Aloha Jamie…

Thought you should know that my seeds are growing well! Small bush-like plants… not a whole lot of sun in our parts lately, so that has been bad, but what do you expect from southern Oregon.

I’m having a little problem with something chewing little tiny holes in the leaves, but have coated the plants first with a garlic, cayenne, jalapeno, dish soap, veg-oil & water solution for a few hours , then washed off and then dusted them with some Diatomaceous earth for about 12 hours, then washed that off. There doesn’t seem to be new chews, but I will obviously keep a close eye on them. I have them in a hot house so snails and slugs can’t get to them, but there are such pests as aphids / earwings / sowbugs and assorted chewing and sucking pests about.  I will keep the organic pesticide going as needed, if you got any better thoughts or ideas please let me know.

I have a question: Do you know how I can get some fresh bhut jolokia peppers to make into fire salsa? or, can I just order from you some dried ones and rehydrate them and put them into salsa?

There are a few of us who want to cry for mercy and I’m aching for some real pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  By-the-way, how do you use your peppers in your personal life?  You do eat them in foods and salsas…don’t you?   I love habaneros and usually don’t ever eat them raw and off the plant anymore… did that, been there, and it was interesting, but now I take a handful of them and grind them up in a blender and mix them into a hamburger paddy and cook it  …. Wow!  What a nice treat that is, but mostly I  just make a salsa from them for my serious pepper eating friends.

Anyway… how often do you place them [jolokias] in your diet and how?
~BRyan

Answer:

Hey Bryan,

Jamie

Your orders will still be processed as normal.

Mahalo to you all and I’ll be back soon!
Jamie.

We bring you another edition of Ask Jamie !

Q: Any hints or precautions for growing the habaneros here in south florida?  I would like to keep them potted if possible. ~Jesse

A: Aloha Jesse,

Jamie

Testimonial: I received the order last week.  Due to our unpredictable Spring weather this year, I am waiting until the first of May to start all of my hot peppers.  Actually, our grandson, Dalton, had seen a special on the “Ghost Peppers” in 2008 and I had promised him some.

So again, thank you.

Patricia Snyder

Reply: It’s a pleasure.  Be sure to soak the seeds in water overnight.  You can start them now indoors, then transplants after all danger of frost is past.  Use a rich, loamy, organic soil with plenty of compost. Fertilize ( I use well composted horse manure, fish emulsion, and kelp) every 2-3 weeks after the plant is established but do not over fertilize. Deep water to a depth of 16″ every 2 days in hot weather.

Jamie

Several months ago I received a comment online that disagreed with my contention that organic food is more nutritious than commercially grown food.  I finally found the research I had used regarding this information.

According to studies comparing 11 main nutrients by scientists at Washington State University, and the University of Florida, organic food averages 25% higher in content of these 11 nutrients.

The comparisons studied numbered 236 between food grown organically, and commercially and the scientists used all available data at that time. The report titled  ’State of Science Review: Nutritional Superiority of Organic Foods’ can be view by going to the following website- www.organic-center.org.

Jamie

Aloha Gang,
You ask em and I post em. One thing I want to make certain when you purchase seeds from me is that you’re learning everything you possibly can so that you have a bountiful harvest of hot hot peppers. Sometimes it takes a little luck, a little patience, a little tender love & care and just knowing what to do. Here’s another great question about the Bhut Jolokias and looking at possible leaf problems.

Q: Hello my name is Bob  and I have started growing my Jolokias.  They are  decent size plants now. The trouble I’m having is that the new leaves on the plant are turning white.  Are my Jolokias a lost cause or  is there anything i can do to save them? Should I throw the plants out and start over?  Please help me out with this,  Thanks!
~Bob

A: Aloha Bob. Have you recently moved your peppers outside? If so, they may not have acclimated to outside yet.  You may need to take more time to harden them off.   If  this isn’t the case, can you see white flies on them? Are the leaves curling?

Don’t give up and throw them out just yet. They will recover even if you cut the plant way back.  To help with white flies, wash your plants with water, then spray with organic neem oil every 7 -10 days.

Q2: The leaves look like they are dried out and they have some curling to them. I have just started to place them out side. I noticed there where little red bugs all over them.  I live in Virginia where the temperature during the days have been in the high 70s to low 80s.  I was wondering to if it might be the tap water I’m using, as it is city water. I grew Habanero’s, Cayenne and hot peppers last year and ended up with real big plants. The one Habanero plant I had ended up with over 100 pods from it.  I have noticed new leaf growth on them. They didn’t start to turn white till I moved them outside. I will try and leave them out for just a few hours each day and wash the leafs. I will keep you posted on how they are doing. Thanks for the help.
Bob

A2: You need to harden them off more slowly. Don’t rush the process. They need time to adjust to the sun. Dot worry, they will be OK.