Q: Hi Dave,I bought a plant in Las Vegas and have also bought it in Texas. I was born in Hawaii and these plants grew locally. When mature they are a small bright red pepper. Sometimes they are called decorative plants, and are not meant to be edible. Do you know what these are called? What is their associated Scoville …
Supplier of Oleoresin Capsicum for Hot Sauce
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 …
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 …
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" …