Bruce: We don't normally eat them whole, although I have eaten half of one in one bite before, which is pretty intense. Usually we cut them up in rings and put them in salads or fresh salsa or on burgers etc. It is also excellent in sauces like spaghetti, which gives a nice but not overwhelming throat warmth. Ghost peppers aren't near as hot when mixed with food then they are straight up. But the wonderful Ghost aroma and flavor does cut through even the strongest onion or garlic smells in a fresh salsa. I find the combination of citrus and smokey flavor in Bhuts better then any other superhots including habs.

You do acclimate to the heat fairly quickly though. I also found that the ghost peppers I put in oil and vinegar for winter use seem stronger then the fresh ones, although I don't know if it's the oil and vinegar, or the fact I eat less hots in winter, I can't say for sure.

Still looking for a good sauce recipe for the bags of them I have in the freezer.

Getting ready to get started. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Aji Amarillo
Ashe County Pimento
Bhut
Big Jim
Big Red Cayene
Biker Billy Jalapeno
Bolivian Rainbow
Brazilian Starfish
Caribbean Red Habanero
Chocolate Bhut
Chocolate Habinero
Congo Red
Datil
Devils Tongue
Fatali
Fish
Guajillo
Harolds St Barts
Hot Lemon
Hungarian Wax
Jalapeno Gigante
Jamacian Red Squash
Numex Hatch
Paper Lantern
Peter Pepper
Pinot Noir
Purple Jalapeno
Red Cheiro
Red Salvina
Ristra Cayene
Scotch Bonnet
7 Pot
7 Pot Brown Doughlah
7 Pot Yello
7 Pot Brain Strain
Shishito
Sweet Italian
Tabago Seasoning
Tobasco
Trinidad Scorpion
Trinidad Scorpion Butch-T
Trinidad Scorpion Cardi
Uba Tuba

I'm sure others will be added.

John

I started some of my chinense's on Jan 20. I have 4 that sprouted.
2 yellow brain strain, 1 red brain stain, and 1 safi red bonnet. I
think I killed my douglah and mili habanero. I accidently let the
peat pellets dry out more than once. I'll be more careful now.
I will be starting the rest of my chinense's today.

This group inspired and supported me in my first year ever of growing hot peppers- 2010. I had a great harvest.

{{!gwi}}

Last year was a disappointment. Our summer was too cool and I only had one habanero and I got no fruit.

Maybe this summer will be warmer though.

Here is a link that might be useful: the fabulous summer of 2010

nancybeetoo: That is a nice looking pile of peppers. They are so nice looking they almost look fake. Sorry that 2011 didn't work out too well for you. 2012 will be better, I am sure.
Bruce

Well, I started mine this afternoon. Here is what I came up with. I have mapped out the 36 - 3" pots to keep them all straight.

Funny thing is, I just checked them and after 5 hours, I still don't see any poking through. I just know this is going to be a stressful season.

Love your organization, Bruce! I'm relying on little plastic tags, which could easily get misplaced. Maybe I need to create one of those maps, just in case.

My chinense and baccatum seeds were sown on January 24th. Still no sprouts, but without a heating pad, I usually don't see any hooks until about day 10. Doesn't mean I'm not checking the seed tray several times a day, just in case : )

Here's what's been sown so far:

Aji Angelo (2)
Aji Chinchi Amarillo (2)
Aji de la Tierra (2)
Aji Picante (2)
Aji Rojo (2)
Aji Yellow (2)
Belize Sweet (2)
Cachucha (2)
Cheiro Recife (2)
Cajamarca (2)
Grenada Seasoning (2)
Habanero Chocolate (2)
Habanero Peach (2)
Inca Red Drop (2)
Lemon Drop (2)
Pequin (2)
Pimenta Barro do Robiero (2)
Rain Forest (2)
Rocotillo (2)
Tobago Seasoning (2)
Trinidad Perfume (2)
Zavory (2)

I still need to locate some cheap 3" - 4" pots before it's time to transplant. Found a couple of places on line, but the shipping is pretty ridiculous.

It would be great if I could hold off on the annums until these have all germinated and been potted up, but I doubt I'll be able to wait that long.

Bonnie

Bonnie, here are some links to 3-4" containers on Ebay. Not too bad of prices, but watch the shipping charges.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-4-inch-Standard-plastic-flower-pots-4-X-3-1-2-/140674888875?pt=Planters_Pots&hash=item20c0e074ab

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-100-4-3-75-3-3-4-Inch-PLASTIC-FLOWER-NURSERY-POTS-Wholesale-price-/310372782568?pt=Planters_Pots&hash=item4843a8d1e8

There are others but you get the idea. Basically, you are looking at about 18 cents each for the second batch which includes shipping.
Bruce

Here is a link that might be useful: LOT OF 100 - 3 3/4 Inch for $17.99

Oh, Bonnie,
If you prefer Amazon.com, you can get 180 - 3" square ones for about $25 which is about 14 cents each.
Bruce

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon.com 3 inch seed starting pots

Thanks for those links, Bruce! Believe it or not, I actually found something at Walmart today. This is the first time I've seen this particular product there. They are similar to the ones in your Amazon link, but they come with a watertight tray. They were $4.50. I got 6, which is only 108 pots, for $27. So, not as good a deal, but maybe worth it if you count the cost of the water tray. I'll probably still need a couple more, but I have absolutely no idea where I'm going to find enough room (and light) for the ones I just bought!

Bonnie

Yes, I know what you mean bonnie about the walmart trays. i saw them too. I think they come with the clear dome too.
Bruce

The 72 cell trays did, but the ones I got were just 18 - 3" pots in a plastic tray. Which is okay, since by the time I'm ready to pot up, I wouldn't still be using the domes anyway.

Hmmmm, the ones I saw had a dome but they were 18 - 3" pots in a 10x20 tray. But yes, if you dont need the top, then I think you got a good deal. The tray is nice since it will keep the run off from watering contained.
Bruce

Okay, somehow now I feel like I got cheated. : (

Highaltranspplant, I will send you mine if you send me a 24"x12"x4" self addressed stamped box.

Seriously, if you still want one and have a Menards Home Improvement in your area, you can pick one up there for about $1.

Bruce

Wow, some impressive lists. You must spend many hours processing them, unless you just dry most of them. I have only a few kinds that I like to grow, but some that I haven't seen on any lists are the Hatch green chili's from New Mexico, and the Sandia chili as well. Both are mild though. I just recieved some seeds for Mulato Isleno that I ordered from St. Clair Heirloom seeds. They are a pablano shaped pepper, but up to 6 inches long. Thinking they will make good chili relleno.

Why don't you just use cups. You can get them cheap at wholesale
clubs like Sams.

I use foam cups from Big Lots - 51 cups for a dollar. But they are something I move my peat pods into once the true leaves start to show.

Its easy to over water in them, so holes must be punched in the bottom... But if you can neglect them just the right amount, they seem to do really well.

Yes, disposable cups are always an alternative. punching holes in the bottoms is definitely recommended though.
Bruce

Updating my grow list:
Orange Hab,
Big early Jalapenos,
Long Red Thin Cayenne
Thai Sun
Possibly Bhut Jolokia
Coming soon:
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Chimaya
Pretty in Purple
Glow in the Dark Purple
Yatzy
Chili De Arbol
Aji Yellow (peruvian)
Jamaican Chocolate Hab
Red Savina (if it grows out and proves to be NOT a red carribean),
Scotch Bonnet (yellow),
7pot douglah
7pot (unspecified from vendor),
chocolate Bhut,
Anaheim
Dorset Naga
Hinkelhatz (Chicken Heart - an amish heirloom)
Hot Lemon Hab
White Hab
Fire Cracker
Peppermania's Big Ass Cayenne
Golden Cayenne
Tazmanian Habanero
Mulato Isleno
Black Pearl
Punjabi Pepper
Firecracker
Hot Banana Pepper
Sweet Banana Pepper
Big Bertha Bell
Super Heavy Weight Bell
Whippets Tail
Las Cruces
Filius Blue
Kung Pao
Cubanelle
Tobasco
WM Brand Chili Peppers
Mammoth Jalapeno
Pimiento Pepper
Tepins
My Hybrids:
Thai Sun x Orange Habanero F1

Today, I sowed all of the annums, 34 varieties. If you add that to the list of chinense and baccatums that I started 3 weeks ago, I'm growing 56 different peppers this year ... so far.

Here's what I sowed today:

Alma Paprika
Ancho San Luis
Barker
Biker Billy Hyb.
Black Hungarian
Bulgarian Carrot
Chile de Arbol
Chile Hidalgo
Chilhaucle Amarillo
Chilhaucle Rojo
Chimayo
Cochiti
Cosa Arrugada
Costeno Amarillo
Fish
Fresno
Guajillo
Hawaiian Sweet Hot
Jaloro
Japone
Melrose
Mulato Isleno
Piment d'Espelette
NuMex Pinata
Pusztagold
Sandia
Santa Fe Grande
Sucette de Provence
Tollie's Sweet Italian
Jimmy Nardello
Espanola Improved
Big Jim
Patio Red Marconi

I've got about half a dozen of the first batch up now : )

I think I'm done with the list, but since I'm hosting the pepper swap, it's possible something irresistible could come my way ...

Bonnie

Yeah... my list doesn't include whatever comes back from the swap... Sent 17 I think, packets of seed... My list could swell to the low 60s as well.

Finally got my list finalized and seeds ordered for what I don't already have.

I'm always amazed at the number of plants / varieties some of you grow!

Many of these are repeats every year, a few are new to me. I try to rotate something new in every year just for fun.

Repeats:
Big Jim
Orange Habanero
Ancho 101
Lemon Drop
Jamaica Scotch Bonnet
Chocolate Habanero

New to me:
ANCHO SAN MARTIN HYBRID
Aji Chinchi Amarillo
Thai Hot
Guajillo
PASILLA BAJIO
NUMEX SUAVE ORANGE
Guam Boonie

Part of my reason for growing so many, is that I have several acres bought and paid for, but have been unable to find employment for about two years. I do odds and ends to make ends meet.... But especially lately, I find my self with a LOT of time for hobbies.

I'm likely putting in another 10x10 bed tomorrow for peppers. Then going to line my driveway. Probably.

Part of my land was old horse pasture... Areas are particularly well fertilized. Plus I have rabbits, chickens, and ducks.

I haven't planted the area that was once the houses main garden. It is beside what was apparently the burn pit. But it needs some maintenance. I figure there is about a half acre, that looks like it was once planted (nice black soil, and a short fence)and is currently full of weeds.

I till with a shovel though...

Makes for slow going.

Yeah, I'm very limited on useable space. If I had the room, I'd probably be doing the same thing! Only, not with a shovel. ;-) that's hard-core!

Started mine on the weekend. 72 cell tray on a heat mat and controller. I expect to see some come up soon.

i have a blog where i have been tracking the progress of the growing season so far. also some DIY, recipes, and hot sauce reviews.

2012 growing season:
paper lantern
fatalii
white habanero
mustard habanero
jamaican chocolate habanero
lemon drop
bulgarian carrot
serrano
jalapeno
ring of fire
hot banana
thai dragon
(maybe tabasco)

Here is a link that might be useful: click here to see photo & blog

Jalapeno
Tam Jalapeno
Cayenne
hot wax
Serrano

Sweets:
Red Bull Horn
Yellow Banana

I see Hot Wax on many peoples lists, is it spectacularly good to the point where everyone needs to have it? or just unique.

Those look great! I really feel like I should be growing some and pickle for sandwiches, but, I find that I just don't make sandwiches at home that often or something. I love pickled peppers on sandwiches, but, never seems to happen at home. Is it too late to make a new year's resolution?? haha!

tsheets: I eat a lot more sandwiches at home when I have those peppers. Grow one or two plants just for the heck of it and check 'em out. I think I got some seeds if you want them.
Bruce

Hmm... I make three varieties of hot sauce right now... the hotter ones are much more popular... But my mom, and a few others like the mild sauce. Up until recently, I've been getting the "assorted salad pepper mix" from my grocery store for 1$ the day before they throw them out, and using those for her hot sauce...

Its never been bad, but its also never been the same.

If she can handle Hungarian wax peppers, then I might just grow some specifically for her.

Wow- those are some impressively long and hot lists. I'll be growing in a greenhouse at 8500 ft, so my list is much shorter. And I'm a wuss, so it's got a lot less heat as well!
"Hots"-
Jalapeno M
Grenada Seasoning

Sweets-
Gypsy
Red Stuffing
Yellow Stuffing

If you want it, you can increase your tolerance over time... Just try spicier peppers - maybe not a super hot... but perhaps habanero... or even cayenne... The more you consume, the higher your tolerance will become, the hotter foods you can consume, and again the higher your tolerance.

I think everyone here started out at the stage where jalapenos were spicy.

I barely notice the heat any more, and I eat habaneros like candy (smoke it, puree it, use it by the tablespoon on food :D).

Started? Some of us are still there. =P

Jsschrstrcks, thanks for the advice. I think I'm pretty entrenched in Jalapeno-only land though :P

Here's what I started today (in a 50-cell and a 72-cell flat).

From ottawapepper (not sure if these are in order of SHU), 5 each:

Purple Serrano
Alma (apple) pepper
Tequila Sunrise
Bih Jolokia
Douglah Chocolate 7 pot

From Chef Paul (5 each):

real (long) Thai Hot
Paper Lantern

From Smokemaster ( each):

Padron (12)
Pepperoncini (12)
Pimento Tangerine (6)
Cascabel (5)

Last year's seed (from Fedco)

red Hinkelhatz (5)

Saved seed
mystery Anaheim/Numex type (10)

Overwintered (keep your fingers crossed)

1 Hinkelhatz going strong (never put in basement)
1 Thai birdseye hanging in there
1 hot mystery pepper
1 serrano that had been very prolific

Bought new seed:

Burpee "Hot Lemon" (12 seeds in 6 cells)
Burpee Jalapeno Gigante (12 seeds in 6 cells)
Serrano (12 seeds in 6 cells)

Bell peppers:

King of the North (seed from last year - 20 seeds in 10 cells)

Burpee Carnival mix (couple different Calif. Wonders, etc.) - 24 seeds in 12 cells

Ran out of flats!

That's quite a list! You're gonna be a busy gal!

I figure I'll be lucky if 40% of them make it through the season, figure 10-20% might never germinate, 10% more won't make it through repotting, 10% more will be lost hardening off and 10% more won't survive transplanting. If I get 2 out of each 5 superhot varieties that will be enough for us, but I had to start enough bells and sweets to sell (can always buy some starts of the bells but I hope I get a good number of Padrons and others that smokemaster sent me).

Tomatoes tomorrow - back was killing me bending over, and it wasn't too good this AM after spending 3 hrs yesterday stacking firewood. I need a good potting bench/countertop.

Peas, etc. will be direct-sown once the ground warms up.

Finally, I've weeded through the 300+ starts of 54 varieties for myself and friends and have arrived at my 2012 grow list.

I am so in the dog house. This is the second year I've promised my long suffering GF that I'll keep it to 15 - 18 pots and not take over the backyard with peppers. I have failed again. It must be genetic?

I'll be growing one or two of each of the following varieties:

Heat
7 Pot
7 Pot Douglah
7 Pot JF
7 Pot Jonah
Aji Cito
Bhut Jolokia
Bih Jolokia
Billy Goat
Bonda ma Jacques
Bulgarian Spicy
Chimayo
Chocolate Bhut
Christmas Bell
Congo Trinidad
Datil
Dorset Naga
Fatilli
Nagabon
NuMex Jalundo
Piri Piri
Poblano
Scotch Bonnet - Chocolate
Takanotsume
Thai
Trinidad Scorpion
Trinidad Scorpion Butch T
Trinidad Scorpion FG
Trinidad Scorpion Moruga

Sweet
Bell Boy
Jupiter
Kurtovska Kapija
Summer Sun
Sorok Sari

Ornamental
Black Cuban
NuMex Twilight
Yellow Jelly Bean

ruthz, I am interested in a pepper on your list, Aji Dulce. I am wondering what you can tell me about it. Is it hot? Because the name implies that it is sweet.

I am growing aji amarillo (yellow aji from Peru) this year and only concentrating on that. I might do sweet bell peppers, as I love them, but have never had luck growing them.

Hi all!

This year I've started:

Queen Laurie
Peach Habanero
Grenidad Seasoning
Limon
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Hot Portugal
Early Jalapeno (I haven't grown this in years!!)
Chocolate Habanero (from my garden)
Serrano
Pequin type pepper from my garden
Black Pearl
Peter
chocolate scotch bonnet
alma paprika

I'm so frustrated, I had seeds trying to start under a heating mat, but now I think they didn't have room to breathe, that's why these didn't sprout until I gave up(wish I didn't):
bhut jolokia
bhut jolokia assam
jamaican hot chocolate
padron

some I have to start asap:

yellow orange manzano #3 vallarta
peppadew
cascabella
yellow manzano gt
ecuador reo x peru baseball rocoto
pi 260250
cayenne from India
red rocket
two mystery mixes
goat horn
gammi
numex big jim
cherry
hot banana
long red slim
hot firecracker
crimson torpedo
ordono
ornamental

i keep telling myself not to order more seeds - but I'd really like several more varieties, lol

for sweets I've got to start:

corno di torro
sigaretta dolce
jimmy nardello
mini chocolate bell
sweet cherry
mini-orange
patio-red

two things I'm doing different this year, being my peppers didn't do well last year as the soil was a first year amended soil is 1) doing all my peppers in containers - the ones I did last year in containers did fantastic and 2) I'm planting three seeds per container, and letting go of the two weakest ones.

I have so many different garlics I planted last year too, it's so fun to try to grow the things I love.

Many thanks to Smoke that gave me so many different unknowns to me last year, I am attempting to grow them this year and get a harvest!

New tries this year
Hot Kil
Tulip
Surmeli
A Pea size really-really hot unknown pepper from a Korean coworker

Lots of basics
Peter (Can't resist)
tobago
Jimmy N
etc

Last year sold at Farmers Market...This year, no way!

Just signed up for my first seed exchange(new here). Can't WAIT to sign up for next years. I'm addicted to tomatoes, peppers, garlics, onions, ....can't seem to get enough. Looks like I'm in good company.

Updated pepper list:

Bhut Jolokia
Butch T Trinidad Scorpion
7-Pot Douglah
Sweet Red Cherry
Sweet Banana Pepper
Uba Tuba / Christmas Bell
Pinot Nior
NuMex Halloween Ornamental
Masquerade Ornamental

Here is my list of peppers ranging from moderate heat to scorching:

Beaver Dam
Banana
Numex Big Jim
Ancho Gigantea
Purple Jalapeno
Early Jalapeno
Fish
Serrano
Aji Cristal
Cayenne
Tabasco
Pequin
Thai Hot
Habanero (Orange)
Naga Morich
Bhut Jolokia

I began growing the hottest chiles indoors about two months ago since they have relatively long maturation times; there's nothing like seeing the flowers open so early in the traditional season! I already transplanted some habaneros in the ground because I was running out of indoor space (it better not frost). Best luck to all this year!

Oops, I apologize for the quick follow-up post. The sweet peppers I'll be growing are:

Chocolate Beauty
Flavorburst
Feherozon Paprika
Marconi Red

Has anyone heard about the new pepper "Orange Blaze"? As a fast-maturing orange bell, it won an AAS distinction last year. At all of the seed companies I have searched online, it has been sold out/back-ordered (probably until half the summer has past). Is anyone growing it or know where seeds might be available sooner rather than later?

> > bhutjolokia
> > bhut smooth skin
> > bhut yellow
> > bhut chocolate
> > peach bhut
> > assam bhut
> > bhut indian carbon
> > bhutxdouglah
> > bhutxscorp
> > trinidad scorpion
> > yellow cardi scorp
> > butch-t
> > scorp moruga blend
> > scorp orange
> > chocolate scorp
> > 7pot
> > 7 yellow
> > 7brown
> > 7 chocolate
> > 7 douglah
> > 7 orange
> > 7 chaguanas
> > 7primo
> > 7 brainstrain
> > 7 jonah
> > 7 barrackapore
> > 7pot yellowx choc bhut
> > naga morich
> > naga chocolate
> > naga bombay
> > naga dorsett
> > fatalii
> > fatalii red
> > habalokia
> > red carribean
> > bonda ma jaques
> > beni highlands
> > harold's st. barts
> > antallais carribean
> > curacao red
> > dominican red
> > grenada seasoning
> > jamaican scotch bonnet
> > congo trinidad
> > tree hab red
> > tree hab orange
> > chiltepin
> > chiltepin amarillo
> > wild brazil
> > cumari pollux
> > wiri wiri
> > jalapeno
> > serrano
> > tobasco
> > safi annuum
> > brown berbere
> > nubian
> > maui purple
> > venezuelan purple
> > purple UFO
> > aji lemon
> > aji yellow
> > aji benito
> > burkina irulena
> > rat turd
> > malaguetta
> > red kona
> > african devil
> > hanoi red
> > thai hot
> > tomabello
> > sheepnose pimento
> > red cheiro
> > pinguito de mono
> > datil
> > inca red drop
> > hinklehatz
> > chinese five color
> > goat's weed
> > mek phet
> > joker's hat
> > black hungarian
> > black prince
> > black birdseye
> > fresno
> > purira
> > naga jolokia pc-1
> > coral reef
> > orange grove
> > criolla sella
> > nepali orange
some are overwintered, some started in Jan, some in feb,some in march. If my other half wouldnt murder me I would've planted the other 45or 50 varieties i picked up through trades this winter, but once I hit 150 plants the woman started letting me know she wanted some space for the rest of the veggies :) i wont be too upset once ibite into my first heirloom tomato!
-Paul

How is it that I'm scrolling down through that entire list as fast as my scroll wheel will take me, and yet I still manage to have "rat turd" jump right out at me? =P

Ok now that the plants have arrived with no substitutions (in case of out of stock) I can participate in this thread.

Hab - black
Hab - white
Hab - choc
Hab - regular ole orange
Jal - purple
Jal - Biker Billy (just got one plant... seeing if size does matter)
Fatalii - my FAVORITE!
Bhut Jolokia
Aconcagua - a sweet variety for stuffing, salads, etc
Diablo Sweet - also for stuffing, etc

Prob going to start some Manzano Amarillo tonight too. Even though it's May.. and I prob won't see fruit for a few months.. we can go as late as early November here (and it's already getting hot) so I will definitely have something.

Erin