Hello Jamie,
I recently planted some ghost peppers and this is my first time growing them. I live in central Pennsylvania and started them in March in the grow box.  I just now got them in the ground here on June 25th. They were all over 6 to 8 inch’s tall, but I am curious to see if this is too late in the season to plant them and will they even get to bear fruit.  Any info would be helpful. Thank you for your time.
Zach Hamor

Answer:

Aloha Zach,
I would try it for sure. But, you will need to use “shade cloth” to keep your Bhut Jolokia plants at 90 degrees or below. They hate hot weather above 90 and when the nights start to get cool in the Fall, you will have to insulated the ground and keep them watered well to a depth of 16″ when the temperatures dip below 60.

Good luck!
Jamie

Jamie,
I bought a Jiffy tray with a top. It has the tall Jiffy plugs.  I soaked the seeds over night and planted them a week ago yesterday.  I have an inside/outside thermometer inside the tray, sensor level with the top of the Jiffys.  They’ve been by my side at work in my cube (during the week) with a heating pad that I turned off and on to maintain about 80-85.

I saw the first plant on Thursday last. It was fully out on Saturday.  8 days after planting I have four fully up and 5 more showing.  9 out of 16 so far.

They are much more like regular peppers (germinating) than I thought.

One came up with the seed casing on the end of its stem and the leaves can’t come out.  I’ve never had any luck getting these off without killing the plant.  Do you have any suggestions. I don’t want to lose it.

I’ve moved three of the plants to a large sytofoam cup.  I put a sandwich baggie over the cup to help keep the humidity up a little.  Its dry in my house still with the forced hot air. An extreme change from the humid Jiffy Tray.  Any suggestions for the brand new plants?

Thanks again,

Jim

Answer:

Hey Jim.

That’s great news and that is just about right on the time frame. They will keep popping up over the next week or two. As far as the seed casing goes, leave it alone. It will come off all by itself, not a problem. Keep them warm and moist and then transplant to a 4″ pot or larger when they are about 4″ tall. Don’t fertilize for at least 3 or 4 weeks after transplanting. Then when Bhuts are 8″ tall and sturdy looking with several leaves, transplant them to their final growing place. Then fertilize a few weeks after that and then on a regular basis every 3 weeks. Deep water every 2 days to at least 16″ when it gets over 90 degrees.

If you need any more info, let me know Bro. 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