Q: Hi Dave,In The Philippines we have what is called in Tagalog "sili labuyo," or labuyo chili if you will. The fruits as well as the leaves are used in cooking. The chilis themselves, if I can recall, are similar to pequin or Tabasco chilis: 1/4 to 1 inch, and colors ranging from green to red. Also, when a chili …
Late-Planted Chiles
Q: Dear Dave,I have around 8 varieties that I plan on growing this year—all of them have growth cycles below 85 days. The problem I see is that I may have started germinating inside them too late—first week of April. I have lots of sprouts and they are all doing really well. I plan on not moving them outside until June …
Organic Solution to Whiteflies?
Q: Dear Dave,I have a lot of hot pepper plants, and I’m trying to find out the best way to get rid of whiteflies. I’m having a hard time. Is there an organic way?–Gordon A: Hello Gordon:You can wash the plants with insecticidal soap, but really there is no organic solution to this problem. Everyone wants an organic solution, but …
Hexane Extraction
Q: Dave,I have quite an involved question on capsaicin. Can you tell me an exact way of extracting capsaicin from the habanero? You wrote to one guy, “Hot red chile peppers are dried, ground, and pelletized. They are treated with hexane, a petroleum distillate that acts as a solvent, and the result is oleoresin capsicum, a thick, reddish oil. The …
Watering & Fetilizer
Q: Dave,Greetings from the Iowa Great Lakes. I am going to plant 15 varieties of chile plants (about 80 plants total) this summer. Can I water with an underground lawn sprinkler system? Watering will be done in the early morning to allow for sufficient leaf drying. The water will be drawn from the lake which is quite fertile, evidenced by …