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Post by glen on Jan 16, 2020 12:34:37 GMT -6
Hello to everyone. I have started a new chili pepper project. PaulG who is very active on theHotPepper forum sent me a new variety of chili pepper called Purple Thunder plus 2 different Bhut Jalokia variant's. That just means Bhut Jalokia with different colored pods. I saw his Purple Thunder project on theHotPepper forum and contacted him. He sent me some seed so we could see how it does in Panama. Paul lives in Oregon. Paul starts his plants indoors and mentioned to me that he has to keep his plant inside for the first 5 months. This plant is a slow grower and does not tolerate cool temperatures well. What is Purple Thunder you might be asking? Well, its the name of the variety obviously. Paul was growing a hybrid variety that his friend Trippa sent him from New Zealand. The hybrid was a cross between Pimenta de Neyde and Bonda Ma Jacques. You can google these 2 variety's if you would like. This variety was crossed with his Hybrid Red Bhut Jalokia. And, Purple thunder was born. You can see more information on how this variety was developed to its present stage on TheHotPepper forum. Purple Thunder is an f-4 at this stage. It will be completely stabilized after f-8 is grown out.
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Post by glen on Jan 16, 2020 13:07:31 GMT -6
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Post by glen on Jan 17, 2020 14:02:06 GMT -6
I decided to include a link to PaulG's Glog, or, grow log that is located at theHotPepper forum. It is correct and proper to give credit where credit is due here. PaulG is the developer of this new chili pepper. I highly recommend that you go to this Glog and read over it if you are interested in Purple Thunder or pepper breeding in general. PaulG uses a very good camera. His foto's are incredible. He is also a very competent gardener. thehotpepper.com/topic/72132-purple-thunder-bhut-jolokia-x-pdn-x-bonda-ma-jacques/?hl=%2Bpurple+%2Bthunder+%2Bgrow+%2BlogThe appeal of this pepper to me is the plants color. Purple. Absolutely beautiful. The peppers themselves vary in color. It isn't going to be easy for me to grow plants as beautiful as PaulG's plants. I am using poor quality yard dirt in large pots to grow this chili. My climate is harsh. Extreme heat and humidity-some of the most extreme in the world. Right now it is super windy outside. It sucks the water right out of the pots and plants. This will be an extreme trial for Purple Thunder.
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Post by glen on Jan 17, 2020 14:21:28 GMT -6
Also, here in Panama we have an extreme short day length. We discussed this more in depth on the AfricanX okra thread but it needs to be mentioned here as well. Day length is less than 12 hours almost every day of the year due to Panama's proximity so near the equator. Day length does indeed affect the growth cycle of all plants. This trial is very important actually for Purple Thunder. How does Purple Thunder respond to life in Short day land? Is Purple Thunder photoperiod sensitive? My money is on Purple Thunder thriving in Panama's climate but only time will tell. After all, where does Bhut Jalokia come from? Well, somewhere in India. And, Bhut Jalokia is famous for its love of extremely humid hot climate. So, that is in our favor. I should google Bhut Jalokia and see where it comes from exactly and check on the day length in that province of India. Bet its a short day climate though.
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Post by glen on Jan 18, 2020 21:22:21 GMT -6
PaulG says this about Bhut Jalokia-The Bhut Jolokia comes from Assam, India. Sometimes the varieties are called Naga Jolokia, or other names with Naga in them, but they are all variants of the same type.
I also know this much. There are 2 basic pod styles of Bhut Jalokia. Smooth skinned. And, mottled skinned. Bhut Jalokia is a naturally occurring cross. I guess that just means that someone found this plant growing in the yard and tried a pod, got torn up from the floor up, liked it, and Bhut Jolokia was born.
I have also read where Labs have done tests. Apparently some sites say that Bhut Jalokia is a mix of C Annuum and C chinense. Some say its a mix of C Frutescens and C Chinense. I don't have any other definitive information on this pepper. It has been grown and eaten in India for several century's. The West was introduced to it in 2002 or there abouts.
The peppers are very hot.
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Post by glen on Jan 18, 2020 21:38:29 GMT -6
The other 2 pepper variety's that make up this cross.
Bonda de Jacques-this is a beautiful yellow bonnet pepper that comes from French Antilles. It is spicey-about as hot as a Jamaica Scotch Bonnet. Its a C Chinense.
Pimento De Neyde-is a purple colored pepper plant that a lady somewhere in Brazil found growing in her back yard. The peppers are also purple in shading and coloring. Peppers are spicey but not as spicey as the Bonda de Jacques. This variety is grown primarily as an ornamental plant. I love the color of these plants. Also a C Chinense.
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Post by glen on Jan 25, 2020 18:58:11 GMT -6
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Post by glen on Jan 27, 2020 20:26:06 GMT -6
This foto shows my row of experimental Bhut Jalokia plants. PURPLE THUNDER they are called. Some are 100% Bhut Jalokia so it is a mix. I am trying to imagine what they will look like later. Will they survive the harsh conditions? Its horribly hot and windy. I got my fingers crossed that is for sure.
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Post by rdback on Jan 27, 2020 20:45:10 GMT -6
Best of luck with your trial grow Glen. Looking forward to seeing how these perform in Panama. Keep us posted.
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Post by glen on Jan 27, 2020 23:42:57 GMT -6
Thanx this trial does need some luck.
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Post by glen on Feb 9, 2020 16:49:43 GMT -6
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Post by rdback on Feb 10, 2020 19:41:43 GMT -6
Interesting. Looks like the purple highlights are fading somewhat on the Purple Thunder plants. They still look really healthy though.
Keep after it!
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Post by glen on Feb 11, 2020 15:25:01 GMT -6
The purple fades in the super hot sun. Its just a hunch, but I don't believe that the purple color gives the plants the same level of protection that the green color provides for the plants. I have the plants where they can get at least 2 or 3 hours of direct sun each day. Its during about 1230 to 230pm or there abouts. The plants are struggling in my weather conditions. But, it does appear they will survive. Growth rate is painfully slow and wind is very persistant. I have fertilized. I won't add fertilizer again for awhile. I don't want to burn them up.
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Post by glen on Feb 11, 2020 23:49:00 GMT -6
Bhut Jolokia grows so slow for me that I thought I would web surf and maybe learn something about where this pepper comes from and a little bit about its history. This is the best article I have seen on this King Naga chili. www.tastecooking.com/many-lives-king-chile/
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Post by rdback on Feb 13, 2020 10:12:56 GMT -6
That was a good article Glen. Thanks for sharing!
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