ALL ORDERS WILL BE PROCESSED AS NORMAL except our Hawaii orders. ALL Hawaii ordered WILL NOT be processed until approximately March 25th.
I will not be able to respond to my blog.
Mahalo nui loa,
Jamie
The Hottest Pepper Blog
March 9, 2011
March 4, 2011
Tempermental Peppers
Question:
Hi Jamie:
I’m starting up a couple of plants and have had some trouble germinating the first round of seeds.
I soaked the seeds in a small disposable gladware plastic container overnight (I used bottled water). I then put a paper towel over them and have kept it fairly moist/wet for a few days, but the seeds don’t seem to be doing anything.
I’ve also purchased some of those small degradable cardboard starter cups which I was expecting to use after they’d started to sprout.
I only used 5-6 seeds for this first round and still have plenty left.
Is there something I’ve done wrong here? Should I just try and germinate them in a bit of potting soil in the small cups?
The soil here in Kahului is quite sandy, so I was going to dig a 2×2 hole and use quick draining miracle grow potting soil after the plants had sprouted a bit in the small cups and transplant them into the ground. Then I was going to use fish meal extract for continual fertilizing beyond as needed. My stepfather seems to think the sandy soil is fine by itself for peppers, but …
Any comments you have would be appreciated, including if I need to wait a bit longer on the current seeds (it’s been about five days now).
My goal is to grow two plants this season.
Thanks!
Eric
Answer:
Hi Eric,
Don’t worry, they will come up if you keep them moist and warm. Sometimes it takes a month and sometimes it takes a week. They are very temperamental but once they get going, they rock!
The best soil is loamy and full of organic amendments. If your soil is too sandy, the nutrients will wash right through it. Make sure that your soil retains moisture to a depth of at least 16″. You can purchase a moisture meter for about $15.00- 20.00.
If you have any more questions, please email me.
Best of luck!
Jamie
February 10, 2011
Planting in Perfect Soil
Question:
Aloha!
Hi there. I just placed an order for your ghost pepper seeds.
Is there any advice you can give me how cultivate the soil so I can plant them perfectly?
I live in South Florida, and as you know, soils are different everywhere.
Is there a way to test for acidity and stuff I should look for?
I would really appreciate the feedback.
Since I purchased organic seeds, I would love to keep my plants organic.
Please advise?
I thank you in advance for your advise.
Erica
Answer:
Aloha Erika,
Mahalo for your order. The Bhut Jolokia likes a very loamy soil rich in organic amendments. The pH should be around 7.0–slightly alkaline. But don’t worry if your soil is in the 6.5 – 7.5 range. The most important thing is digging a large hole filled with the amended, loamy soil. Since you are in Florida, you will need to keep the temperatures between 80-90 degrees during the day. This will require you to use shade cloth with about a 20% sun reducing cloth. The Bhuts will go into a very stressful condition if they get too hot which will make them drop their flowers which produces the fruit. So it is very important that they do not get too hot. AND, you will have to “deep” water to a depth of at least 16″ every 2 days this summer or when it is hot. Do this on a very slow flow from your hose or put your plants on a drip system.
There is a lot of information on my site concerning this. If you need more assistance, feel free to email me.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Jamie
thehottestpepper.com
Response:
Aloha Jamie.
Thank you so much for the advise. Once I get the seeds I will check into everything.
February 2, 2011
Naga Viper Heat Results are Unofficial
There has been a lot of talk recently about the so-called “Naga Viper” potentially surpassing the Bhut Jolokia as the World’s Hottest Pepper. This is has not been confirmed by any credible world sources and according to official international standards our Bhut Jolokia is still the hottest. Here is some light on the subject:
According to Wikipedia, spice heat is measured through process that identifies and measures heat-producing chemicals using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These numbers are mathematically manipulated to produce a number conveying a peppers capacity to produce heat. This is not the traditional Scoville scale used worldwide to measure heat, but the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) pungency unit number, proven to be about 20-40% lower than Scoville heat units. Experts agree the ASTA number can be simply multiplied by 15 to convert to Scoville heat units.
To date, the chilis with the highest Scoville rating include specimens of naga jolokia or bhut jolokia. Their Scoville units exceed one million. The unofficial hottest pepper is, indeed, the Naga Viper as it has supposedly recorded 1,359,000 Scoville units. This number was produced by researchers at Warwick University after they combined three of the hottest peppers known to man, including the Bhut Jolokia. However, this number has not been submitted to any world record holder. Remember that numerical results vary substantially depending on cultivation conditions and unregulated laboratory methods. The Warwick University number must be reproduced and tested against the official hottest pepper before the Naga Viper can have the title of Worlds Hottest Pepper.
January 25, 2011
Thank you!
Valuable information and excellent design you got here! I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts and time into the stuff you post!! Thumbs up
January 10, 2011
Growing Outside in Tanzania
Question:
Hey Jamie and all,
I just moved to Tanzania, Africa–a little south of the equator. The weather is about 75 min to 90 max, HIGH humidity. (Year-round shorts and T-shirts, 2 rainy seasons.)
I have a couple of questions:
1. I bought some Bhut seeds from ya’ll around 1-1 1/2 years ago (#25 of them). Do you think they’re still good? Or should I start fresh? (I only need a few plants.)
2. Instead of starting slow with germinating in the egg carton, transplanting to larger pots several times, can I just germinate in a gallon pot outside? (since the weather is warmer than the inside A.C.)
I’m really anxious to get started!!! Thanks for your help!
Chris
Answer:
Aloha Chris,
Your seeds should still be fine. Be sure to soak them overnight in water before germinating and you can start them in a one gallon pot. Just keep them warm and moist. The weather sounds perfect!
Good luck!
Jamie
Chris:
Hey Jamie,
It’s been less than a week since I planted and 3 have already sprouted!! Should I give them direct sun now or put them in the shade for a while?
Thanks!
Chris
Jamie:
Hey Chris,
You can put them in a 4 or 6 inch pot and give them sun gradually over a few weeks until they are acclimated to full sun. When they are about 4″ tall, transplant them into the garden.
Good luck!
Jamie
Chris:
Jamie, remember that I planted the seeds in pots outside, so does this “weatherizing” still hold true? (see above)
Thanks, Chris
Jamie:
No, just leave them out if they have been outside all of the time.
Chris:
Howdy Jamie,
I have 10 Bhuts planted outside ranging in size from 6-24 inches, all with monkey wire around them to protect from animals. Across the top of 4 of the 2 footers I have also put 2 layers of screen (to protect from the deluge off the eave when it rains).
Two of the plants are flowering. Should I remove the top screen to let in insects to pollinate them? Should I remove the monkey wire altogether?
Thanks for your help! I’m really excited!!!!
Chris
Jamie:
Aloha Chris,
Even though pepper plants are self germinating, I would remove the screens. What is the temperature like during the day? If it is hotter than 90F (about 32C) then leave the screen on. Best temperatures for fruit production is from 80-90F. The Bhuts do not like to get too hot or they will start dropping their flowers. You can experiment with different plants so you know what works in Tanzania.
Good luck!
Jamie
Naga Viper Chili Pepper Record – FACT or FICTION?
Dear Chili Heads, and Everyone Else,
I have been receiving email after email for several months now regarding the “Naga Viper” pepper that supposedly has broken the record for the hottest pepper. I have researched this extensively and have found no concrete evidence that this record has been broken. Sure, I have seen pictures of this pepper, or something called the Naga Viper but the testing from Warwick University in England is not conclusive. Sure, they tested something that rated the 1.3 million on the Scoville scale, but what was in this sample? It could have easily been laced with synthetic capsaicin (remember pepper spray tests at approximately 2 to 5 million SHU).
Further, they stated that they only tested a small sample and concluded that further testing was needed by another source to verify and confirm the results. AND, how did they test this small sample? The only recognized testing method that I know of is via HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography). Was it tested by this method? We have had our Bhut Jolokia peppers tested many, many times in New Mexico. We ALWAYS send them about 1/4 cup of each sample to be tested and this is because the lab requires this amount to verify results.
Warwick University stated that they only had a small sample for their testing. Did they test the “Naga Viper” more than once? I think IF a potential world record was set, that they would have tested again, or THAT THE OWNER OF THIS SAMPLE would have tested again to verify. I know that if I would have set the world record that I would have had Guinness there to verify and post this ASAP. With this being said, I have doubts that this chili pepper did test at this record breaking level. Not to ruffle any feathers in the UK, I just don’t buy this story.
For the statement released by Warwick University, click here.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Jamie
thehottestpepper.com
January 3, 2011
Hybrid Bhuts
Question:
Hi There,
I live in Virginia, love hot peppers and am curious about your Bhut Jolokias. How long have you been growing them? I ask because I am wondering if you’ve observed any variation or if you’ve tried to select for size (or any other characteristic). Also, have you tried to (or accidentally) hybridize it with any other variety?
Happy new year!
-Charles
Answer:
Aloha Charles,
I have been growing the Bhuts for 6 seasons. I have not tried to cross them with any other peppers as I was trying to break the world record for heat. Peppers are self pollinating but in some instances will cross. I net my other pepper varieties when they flower to avoid any chance of crossing.
Thanks and best of luck,
Jamie
December 30, 2010
Pruning in Hawaii
Question:
Aloha Jamie,
I was reading the last post and was wondering about pruning here in Hawaii. My Hawaiian Chili peppers started out as those little 2″ pots and are now 6″ bushes..
I just cut them way way back a few months ago since they were starting to break branches withtheir eternal supply of peppers… But they are back again after being sticks.. Might I get similar results with the Bhut?
I had to move my kalo since it got big enough to block the sunlight to my cottage. Same patch of dirt as the peppers.
A hui hou,
Greg
Answer:
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your inquiry. I have now tried for 3 years to prune my Bhuts. That’s not a problem. They will come back nicely, however, I have found that the yield is not as good as the first year. So, now at the end of fall, I just pull out my plants, rework the soil with organic amendments and start the process again after the winter solstice when days are getting longer. You may have different results on your side of the island. I would keep a few plants and experiment. Please let me know the results.
Cheers and aloha,
Jamie
December 28, 2010
Hello My Friends
Question:
My name is Lloyd Snyder I would love to get more information on the hottest pepper in the world and where I can buy them. I live in PA. Also if I were to buy seeds can I grow them here in Pa.? Thank you.
Answer:
Hey Lloyd,
Thanks for your inquiry. There is a lot of information concerning the Bhut Jolokia on our website. Please check it out. You can certainly grow this pepper in PA but there is a little planning involved. After germinating your seeds, you will need to transplant your “Bhuts” to a 4″ or 6″ pot when about 4″ tall. Keep them inside near a window if the temperatures are not above 65 degrees. Then acclimate them to the outside after all danger of frost has passed. When the temperature gets above 90 during the summer, you will have to buy some shade cloth to keep the temps. between 80 and 90 degrees. This usually required about a 20-30% reducing shade cloth. Keep them deep watered (slowly–drip is the best) every two days when it is that hot. IF they start to drop their flowers, then they are probably too hot. You will need to double up on the shade cloth. Please contact me during this process if you have any questions or problems. Once again, there is a lot of this information on our site.
Aloha,
Jamie