Q: Dear Dave:I am a small manufacturer of hot sauces and I am looking for a source of capsaicin and oleoresin extracts approx 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 Scoville Units (or more if possible). Can I get this in a "natural" form? Please tell me the difference between the capsaicin and oleoresin extracts, and the sources for these products. Any general idea …
Marconi Seedling Recovers From Compound Fracture
Q: Dave, My dog stepped on a Marconi seedling and the stem got bent in half. This happened yesterday. I propped up the plant with two "splints" so it stands up straight, it is about 4 inches tall and has not wilted or shown outward signs of being stressed. Can a plant still grow and mature from a "compound fracture" …
Chiles And Weight Loss, Metabolism, Addiction
Q: Dear Dave,I am writing an article on chile peppers related to weight loss and metabolism. What are your thoughts on this? Has any new research arisen? Or, is there any consensus in the scientific community? I also wanted to know about the psychological addiction of chiles and how that differs from a physiological addiction. Thanks for all your help,Sincerely, …
Combating Aphids
Q: Hello Dave,What’s the best way to combat the aphids of the pepper? This morning I watered some plants with water and chile powder. I don’t like to use chemical composition.Thanks in advance, Marco BudinisGenova,Italy A: Hello Marco:Unfortunately, aphids are very difficult to control without using chemical insecticides. I have tried everything organic in my greenhouse—hot pepper wax, pepper spray, high …
Staking Up Chile Plants
Q: Dear Dave,Do you recommend staking up chile plants? My plants seem to grow awfully tall, but perhaps I have used too much Miracle Gro? But I noticed from your "Heat Up Your Life" videos that most pepper plants seem to go unstaked. I live north of NYC, lower Hudson Valley, Zone 6.Best, David RogersChappaqua, NY A: Hello David:Yes, stake up …