Question:
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
Since the site has been up, there’s been a lot of great questions and feedback coming in. Keep it up!
So here is another edition of Ask Jamie, where we take your questions and share the info.
Question:
Pehea ‘oe, I live in the Chicagoland area. I am an avid pepper and vegetable grower. The season is short here but I have been successful in my endeavors. Tell me, if it is not a big secret, what is your favorite soil mixes for peppers and veggies. I have tried several with fish emulsion, worm casings, organic mulch etc. I look forward to hearing from you. Good growing. Malama pono, Aloha.
~Bruce Webber
Answer:
Aloha Bruce,
Mahalo for your inquiry. Sounds like you are doing the right things. Peppers like loam with organic compost. I use fish emulsion and kelp as well as my soil from my compost pile. They are heavy feeders so I fertilize every 30 days. I deep water my peppers every 2-3 days here in Hawaii. The depth of water penetration should be at least 12-16 inches. This encourages root growth as they go deep for the water and you will get a stronger, healthier pepper plant. Peppers do not like to be deprived of water, they do not like distress, and it is not OK to allow your pepper plants to wilt.
As far as your other vegetables go, most like the same type of soil with a pH just slightly acid of neutral–so the 6.5-7.0 range. You can purchase an inexpensive testing kit at Home Depot or Lowes or your local nursery.
I hope this helps.
Jamie
The Waimea Bay Chili Pepper Co.
