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THE GREAT PEPPER SIZE-OFF
For more information about the benefits of eating peppers, see:
http://plantanswers.com/garden_column/apr03/3.htm
http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/june04/4.htm
How to grow peppers (same as hybrid tomatoes!) successfully at:
http://plantanswers.com/successful_vgetable_growers.htm
PEPPERS and John Thomas
in front of zinnias in July, 2007 |
It is better to buy younger plants that have not yet flowered when possible. Older plants can become stunted and root-bound in the tiny starter containers and will not transplant as well as smaller, younger plants. Choosing a garden center that cares for its plants and waters regularly with fertilizer water is important. The best technique is to ready the soil and area in advance in order to get the plants in the ground quickly. High phosphorus plant starter solutions help get pepper transplants off to a quick start. REMEMBER when transplanting peppers, DO NOT bury the main stem too deep or the main stem will rot and not root as do tomato transplants.
Peppers like a sunny spot. Soil should be loose and amended with compost or a mix from the garden center. Use five pounds of a 19-5-9 fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden space and mix into the soil before planting. If growing in a container, use a potting mix amended with generous (copious) amounts of Osmocote Slow-Release fertilizer per 5-gallon or whiskey-size container. Use only one plant per container. Remember, peppers are heavy feeders (require heavy amounts of fertilizer nutrients) – if you want EXTRA LARGE fruit, you will have to furnish more than “adequate” amounts of fertility.
If planting in rows, set peppers 12-18 inches apart in 24-inch wide beds. If planting in squares or in flowerbeds etc., allow 12-18 inches of space around each plant. To grow the largest peppers possible, fertilize every two weeks with a cupful of the 19-5-9 (50 percent slow-release) fertilizer sprinkled near the plants on 100 linear feet of row.
THE ORIGINAL
TAM Mild Jalapeño II -- Jalapeño are botanically classified as Capsicum annuum, of the Solanaceae family. TAM Mild Jalapeño II are of mild flavor and reduced heat with a fruit size larger than the original TAM Mild Jalapeño , and are used extensively in pickled form to spice dishes, and in mash form as the main ingredient for mild hot sauces. The fruit of TAM Mild Jalapeño II is 5-6 inches and has a Scoville unit rating of about 2500. For more information about TAM Mild II, see:
http://www.plantanswers.com/reserch_tam.htm
LJOE Signage |
TAM Mild Jalapeno II signage |
THE CHAMPIONS
Nethery LJOE (Largest Jalapeno On Earth) or J-LOE (Jalapeno- Largest On Earth) is an open-pollinated selection from TAM Mild Jalapeño II made (selected) by Betty Nethery of Junction, Texas, over a more than twenty year period. It is normally much larger than TAM Mild Jalapeño II and has a Scoville unit rating of about 2500 or hotter.
Jeremy and Dad in Wildseed Peppers |
LJOE at its best! |
Betty Nethery with LJOE |
Hidalgo, the LARGEST Serrano Heirloom Pepper
The famous serrano used in most Mexican dishes has a rating of from 7,000 - to - 25,000 with the Texas A&M Hidalgo serrano being a bit milder at 6,000 - to - 17,000. To remedy the virus susceptibility of hot peppers situation, the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's virology breeding program, under the direction of Dr.Ben Villalon - Retired, produced varieties resistant to at least 4 of the virus diseases which most commonly cause plant damage. In addition to disease resistance, the jalapenos and serranos are much superior to standard varieties, and have been "cooled" down. These peppers are called Texas A&M (TAM) Mild Jalapeno II and Hidalgo Serrano. The pepper fruit possess high levels of resistance to sunburn, have firm, thick walls and are ideal to use as Nacho-ring slices. Or, slice them in half vertically and fill them with cheese or other tasty fillings.
THE CHALLENGERS
NUMBER #1: A hybrid jalapeno sold only by the number 5807 that offers a unique combination of size, quality, yield and pungency. Plants are vigorous and tall with a continuous fruit set and good size. Fruit are 11 x 4.5 cm (4.3 inches x 1.7 inches) with a smooth exterior and a nice dark green color. PS 5807 has good yield potential and has high resistance to nematode and PVY 0 (Pepper Virus Y- O) with intermediate resistance to Pc (IR)
NUMBER #2: A high-yielding hybrid jalapeno sold only by the number 5810 that offers a unique combination of good size, fruit quality, and pungency. Plants are vigorous and tall with a continuous fruit set and good size. Fruit are 11 x 4.5 cm (4.3 inches x 1.7 inches) with a smooth exterior and a nice dark green color.
For pepper extraction techniques and stuffing ideas for LARGE jalapenos, see:
http://plantanswers.com/parsonspreferredseed/pepperextractionanduse.htm
and
http://plantanswers.com/ParsonsPreferredSeed/SeedExtractionOfHotPeppers.asp
For some great hot pepper recipes from retired Bexar County Extension Agent-- Home Economist Shirley Johnson, see:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/tabloid/tab22.html
and pickled jalapenos at the bottom of:
http://plantanswers.com/garden_column/apr03/3.htm
Betty Nethery with LJOE pepper at Wildseed Salsa & Pepper Festival |
LJOE GIANTS in 2007 |
Nethery & Parsons with LJOE pepper at Salsa & Pepper Festival |
Nethery LJOE |
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