Chili Rayado trial-Panama

[glen]

Hello everyone.  I am starting a thread on my Chili Rayado trial.  I planted 3 in 1300 series nursery pots.  Those are 2.35 gallon pots that are 10 inches wide.  I used yard dirt mixed with one third Abonat which is wood chips fermented and composted and comes from the agro store.  The Photo shows my best speciman.  These plants will not be large plants in these small pots.  However, if Chili Rayado can do ok in Panama I will know it by using these pots.  I have grown a lot of jalepeno's in this size pot.  However, I have a lot of problems with Jalepeno.  I am hoping this new variety can acclimate better in my climate.  I have never tasted this variety so it will be a new experience for me.  I can see by the Photo that the plant is hairy.  Hairy on the stems at least.  Plants look good for now.  George, how big does this variety get?  Would you consider it bigger than a jalepeno plant for example?  I am asking because if this plant does not really get very big normally, it should do really good in the small pot I am using.

[macmex]

The plants are not as large as, say, an habanero. I'd say they're about 3' long at the largest, usually smaller. They're not real compact, but neither do they sprawl all over the place.

[glen]

It seems like Chili Rayado should then should be ok in the small pot. By the way, the small pots are very good for some kinds of peppers. However, in some types the pepper will grow in a small pot but the yield will be smaller. Even if I only get 5 to 10 Rayado peppers from each plant, the seed saving potential is very good.

[glen]

We are having real heavy rain storms now. Along with over-cast sky's. The over cast sky's are not an every day thing. However, the Chili Rayado is not thriving now. All three plants were laying down in the pots from the heavy rain. Roots are not anchoring the plants well. I don't think the plants are getting enough sun. I staked all three plants up. I will need to apply fertilizer soon.
I have my fingers crossed now for these little fella's. They are in for the experience of their life with the rains and lack of sun during the rainy season that is in front of us. I will take pictures fairly soon so you can see the progress or lack there-of.

[heavyhitterokra]

That sounds like our weather here. Lots and lots of rain, but very little in the way of direct sunlight. (Not good for our tender transplants). I often find them pounded down by heavy rains.

[macmex]

Well, yesterday I managed to plant almost half of my Chile Rayado plants into their permanent spot. This is my absolute favorite way to plant peppers: through cardboard. I lay the cardboard down in large sheets, wet it and then punch holes where I set my plants. Later I mulch over it. A good piece of cardboard will make my plants very happy for months and keep weeds (and work) to a minimum.

[glen]

Looking good George. Please keep us updated on the progress. Mine are growing but not with any vigor. Not enough sun. We have constant cloud cover now and plenty of rain.

[glen]

Hello everyone. My Chili Rayado plants are getting taller but are really leggy. I need to get outside to snap a few foto's but I have been under the weather with shoulder bursitis. A particularly nasty episode. I have been out of commission for the last 3 weeks with it. Its better now although not completely healed. Yard is over-grown. Big mess. Rain has been excessive and there is continuous over-cast cloud coverage. Plants cannot get the sun they need. This condition bothers young plants the most. The Chili Rayado plants are nice and green but not stout and strong looking like they should look. Plants are blooming now. If I support the plants well, they should survive but I do not expect a big harvest of Chili's. There should be enough for seed saving. This is just my first trial. There will be another in November which is the best time for me to start new chili's. My plants are about 20 inches tall at least and soon I should see some signs of fruit set. Pretty exciting since I am pretty sure I am the only person in Panama growing this variety of jalepeno.

[macmex]

Hope you continue to feel better, Glen. I remember the days when we lived where they had a rainy season.
My Rayado plants are only just beginning to perk up and grow now. I got them in the ground late.
Yesterday I gave some to Ron, so he'll have some to plant too.

[heavyhitterokra]

It stayed cloudy like that for so long here, this Spring, that when the sun finally did come out, it burned the leaves of my transplants. They looked terrible for a long time but the new leaves are looking a lot better than the old ones did.

[glen]

I know the feeling with the lack of sun. Chili's are resilient but this over-cast weather will set the plants back. I hope you guys get a nice harvest of Chili's this season. I have been outside trying to weed wack the yard. Grass is 2 feet tall. We don't use lawn mowers much here. Just cheap Chinese weed wacker. I have so many potted plants in the yard and I needed to move most of them. Many are very heavy. Many needed to be moved out from under trees so they could begin to get at least some sun. Because of the pandemic and the severe restrictions on our movement here in Panama for the last almost 3 months I have gained weight. My health has really taken a toll due to lack of activity. We are still under quarantine here. We have the toughest and strictest quarantine in the America's. I can only go out for 2 hours to the grocery store every other day.
We are still spreading around the virus. Especially in the slums in the Panama City area. Not in my area. Panamanians who do not live in my Province are not allowed to visit. Check points are in place. I am not complaining, just explaining. Fortunately for me there is only about 20 known cases of virus in my province.

[glen]

George, I am very interested in this Chili Rayado pepper and very thankful that you sent it to me. I have many beautiful and interesting chili pepper specimens and Chili Rayado is right in there with them. Like I said, my plants are a little leggy but they are blooming which is a great sign. One plant is aborting a few blooms. One is really blooming well. Once I see that the plants will set fruit I am home free. The plants have a very interesting shade of green. Its a yellow green hue. Also, they are hairy. The blooms and blossoms are interesting to look at and different looking. This is why I thought the plants were something other than C Annuum. I just love that fuzz on the branches. This is a unique variety. I am pretty sure you could sell the seed. Now, I got my fingers crossed that I can grow them out. I am ready to eat some rayado's.

[glen]

Latest photo of my Chili Rayado specimans.  Not robust plants.  No sun.  Lots of rain.  I think I have a pod set on the plant though which is good news.

[glen]

Today during my walk thru I noticed that although the Chili Rayado plants are growing nicely now, the few pods that I thought I saw in the past few days are aborting. Chili Rayado does not like this over-cast rainy weather. The plants are growing. I can see several brownish colored blossoms and stems on the plant. If you touch them they fall off. I am not seeing any fruit set on the plants now.

[macmex]

Hopefully they'll hang in there until the rains give up a bit.