Q: Hi Dave, I have a great crop of habaneros and Scotch bonnets coming up, about 50 plants, 1 foot tall, blossoms everywhere. My problem is, in the last week a lot of the leaves are turning a mottled greenish-yellow color and the edges are turning a crispy brown. I am wondering what could be the problem–is it a bug …
Chiles are Self-pollinating
Q: Dear Dave, I am trying to grow 6 potted jalapeño plants on my balcony. I was wondering what method of pollination these peppers use to produce fruit, i.e. wind, insect, manual pollination. If these plants produce, I would like to move them indoors late fall through spring to keep up the fruit production. While they are inside, what will …
Capsicum As Spicy Additive
Q: Dear Dave,I am a chef and am starting my own business and restaurant. I have been making my own hot sauces and other pepper products for years, but was wondering where I can get a little extra kick. I have heard of people using capsicum. Is this available to the public? Any other additives known for spicing it up?Thank …
How to Identify Hybrid Chile Plants
Q: Hi Dave,I bought commercial seeds this year and plan on saving seeds from this year’s garden. I was wondering, since I have a lot of annuum peppers planted next to chinense peppers, if I would be able to tell if they cross-pollinated when I have fruit from them next year? And are they safe to eat if they did cross-pollinate? …
Pesticide Use on NuMex/Anaheim Varieties
Q: Hi Dave,I have a question regarding pesticide use on NewMex/Anaheim varieties. I applied Ortho’s "Bug-Be-Gone" (permethrin based) powder last night and noticed that the label indicated that it could be used on peppers, but only "Bell" type peppers were listed as approved. I contacted Ortho for verification this morning and I got the standard, "If it’s not on the …