In the begining
This story began in 2007. My friend, Harold, gave me a sprouted Bhut Jolokia, also known as Ghost Pepper.
Harold sprouted several seeds and gave me one hoping that spreading
them around would increase the chance for fruit. He is also just a nice
guy.
This plant grew well but no peppers set in the first year. Likely
because it was planted a few feet from the North side of my house and
there was just not enough sun. At the end of the season I stuck it in a
pot and put it in the window at work. It managed to winter over fine and
I planted it on a south facing slope that following summer. Here it
thrived and set a dozen fruit. Until a deer ate half of it. I was
surprised the deer ate that much of the plant because I would imagine
even the green bhuts pack a punch.
The plant attempted a comeback but giving the short Colorado growing season only a few more fruit set and only two ripened before the first frost. On the day before the first frost I once again dug it up and brought it to work. It was fairly large and had half a dozen fruit. I cut it back to about 3 feet tall leaving the fruit. I was very intent on ripening the remaining peppers, so I bought a 125 watt compact florescent bulb. The peppers ripened but did not gain any size.
After getting some strange looks for having a 125 watt florescent grow light in my office, I took the plant home and started getting strange looks from my wife. Since then, I have tinkered with my growing methods to produce more peppers with less work and money.
This story started with this pepper in spring 2007
The plant attempted a comeback but giving the short Colorado growing season only a few more fruit set and only two ripened before the first frost. On the day before the first frost I once again dug it up and brought it to work. It was fairly large and had half a dozen fruit. I cut it back to about 3 feet tall leaving the fruit. I was very intent on ripening the remaining peppers, so I bought a 125 watt compact florescent bulb. The peppers ripened but did not gain any size.
After getting some strange looks for having a 125 watt florescent grow light in my office, I took the plant home and started getting strange looks from my wife. Since then, I have tinkered with my growing methods to produce more peppers with less work and money.
