What is the hottest pepper?
Habanero types are near the top of the heat scale. You will find several varieties, but all are scorchers. There are some small Asian peppers that are very hot too. An Indian pepper called the "ghost chili" holds the world record, but Habaneros are the easiest to find in seed and transplants.
See page two for more information on some popular pepper varieties.
My broccoli was great this fall. I cut the main head, which was a good size. But while I was waiting for the side shoots to sprout, the main stem rotted. Is there any way to prevent this? It looked like the stem was a bit hollow.
A hollow stem in broccoli and cauliflower is usually a sign of low levels of boron, a micronutrient found in the soil. The way to prevent this is to add a little—emphasis on little—boron to the ground. About 1/2 pound of Twenty Mule Team Borax per 1,000 square feet is adequate. Too much will ruin the soil.
Dissolve the borax in water, and sprinkle it evenly over the area using a watering can with a rose to be sure you distribute the solution evenly. Again, 1 gallon will cover 1,000 square feet, or a 20- x 50-foot garden.
My neighbor had beautiful red amaryllis in her flowerbeds last spring. Is this the same amaryllis that is available now for Christmas? I'd like to grow them outside.
No. Your neighbor has the old-fashioned St. Joseph's lily, a red amaryllis that is found on homesteads dating back to the early 1800s. This flower will thrive and multiply for decades in a spot that drains well. It is cold-hardy through at least zone 7. The big florist types you get at Christmas are not the same; however, some will grow outside in warmer climates (zones 8 and 9) but will usually fizzle out after a few years.
SCARECROW SPRINKLER. This offers an equally fun and effective way to deter uninvited guests, whether two- or four-legged. Motion activated, the sprinkler shoots a pulse of humane water a distance of 35 feet. All you need is a 9-volt battery and a garden hose. It will startle deer before they can browse. Just be careful: It will work on invited guests as well. INFO: www.scarecrowinfo.com/products/scarecrow PRICE: $89
Check out the following page for more information on pepper varieties.
[PAGEBREAK] From Mild to Wild
We ranked the following peppers from hottest to mildest, along with a heat scale (10 being the hottest, 5 around jalpeño level) to show how they compare to each other. Check out www.wildpepper.com for even more information.
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Chocolate Habanero / 10+
Heat almost as intense as the Red Savina. Well-draining soil and afternoon shade are musts. Sources: Reimer Seeds (704-644-3762; www.reimerseeds.com), and plants from Cross Country Nurseries and The Chile Woman. |
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Fatalii / 10
Flavor is intense and fruity, and the plant needs growing conditions similar to habaneros. Sources: Seed Savers Exchange (563-382-5990; www.seedsavers.org), and plants in season from Cross Country Nurseries and The Chile Woman. |
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Tepin / 9
The heat from these tiny dots is real, but not quite habanero level. Full sun is no problem; this is a very hardy plant. Source: Reimer Seeds. |
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Serrano / 6
Similar in heat to the jalapeño, this chile is used in Tex-Mex cooking. It requires little fertilizer or care and likes full sun. Seeds are widely available; one good source is Burpee (1-800-888-1447; www.burpee.com). |
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African Fish (striped) / 5
Heat can vary, but it's usually in the jalapeño range. Jim grows this one more for fun than taste. Sources: Seed Savers Exchange, and you might find plants at local nurseries. |
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Aconcagua / 2
An incredibly tasty roasting pepper, the Aconcagua is big enough to stuff too. Needs support. Sources: Seed Savers Exchange, and it is the most popular sweet pepper plant sold at Cross Country Nurseries. |
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