Chiltepin Pepper Plants at 324 Colorado Drive in River Crossing

I make a pepper jelly using the small, very hot, chiltepin peppers. Click Here for the recipe.

During my latest survey (July 19,2004) of chiltepin pepper plants on the lot, I located 11 pepper plants.
OK, OK, I was really there to survey trees to determine the placement of our house. However, I am keeping track of pepper plants as I find them.

Update Oct. 6, 2004 - The pepper harvest ran from early Ausgust through late September. I picked over 9 cups of peppers. This is enough to make nearly 300 jars of jelly. The three plants at risk have been destroyed.

Update July 30, 2005 - All the pepper bushes froze back over the winter. I was advised to cut off the plants just above the ground and they would grow back if the roots survived. I am pleased to say that all the plants came back. I have picked two peppers already (early bloomers). This past week the pepper bushes have developed lots of flowers. I will be picking peppers in late August and into September. I have also added a drip watering system for all but one of these bushes. The one bush will be relocated this fall.

Update 2006 - 2006 was a very good year. The entire crop for the year was over 10 cups. The plants bloomed in April this year. Normally the first blooms are in June. By June I was picking peppers! The plants went dormant during July, but a rain came in early August and the plants bloomed again. By late September I was picking a full, second havest. Plant #11 was relocated to the other side of the yard in the spring. This year it was one of the best producers.

Update July 21, 2007 - we had a hard freeze this January. The plants have been slow to come back this spring. Plant #11 which was transplanted last year did not survive. The other plants are smaller this year. Blooms appeared in May and a week ago (July 14) I began picking peppers.

Click on the images for a larger view.

2004
2005
Plant #:1
Year:20042005
Height:24 inches20 inches
Width:24 inches18 inches
Appr. # of peppers:800
Location:front center of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
Plant #:2 & 3
Year:20042005
Height:24 inches16 inches
Width:24 inches24 inches
Appr. # of peppers:25 / 250 / 50
Location:front center of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
Plant #:4
Year:20042005
Height:36 inches26 inches
Width:72 inches60 inches
Appr. # of peppers:100 +40
Location:front center of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
(2005 - this is actually 5 plants in a row)
Plant #:5
Year:20042005
Height:36 inches32 inches
Width:60 inches36 inches
Appr. # of peppers:100 +20
Location:front, left center of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
This plant produced the first two peppers of 2005
Plant #:6
Year:20042005
Height:48 inches28 inches
Width:60 inches40 inches
Appr. # of peppers:400
Location:front, left side of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
This plant now gets the most sun.
Plant #:7
Year:20042005
Height:36 inches32 inches
Width:48 inches38 inches
Appr. # of peppers:7550
Location:front, left side of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
Plant #:8
Year:2004
Height:36 inches
Width:60 inches
Appr. # of peppers:30
Location:left side of the lot
Risk:At risk! In path of driveway
Plant destroyed October 5, 2004.
Plant #:9
Year:2004
Height:36 inches
Width:48 inches
Appr. # of peppers:60
Location:left side of the lot
Risk:At risk! In path of driveway
Plant destroyed October 5, 2004.
Plant #:10
Year:2004
Height:18 inches
Width:12 inches
Appr. # of peppers:0
Location:center of the lot
Risk:At risk! Center of the house
Plant destroyed October 5, 2004.
Plant #:11
Year:20042005
Height:18 inches18 inches
Width:12 inches24 inches
Appr. # of peppers:1050
Location:front, right center of the lot
Risk:not at risk, well in front of the house
This plant will be relocated between plants 1 and 2 this fall.





© 2004, 2005, 2007 Chris Guinn
updated 07/21/2007