Alberto's Locoto Peppers

[zazen999]

Mainly for Manda [SBP] who asked for a photo a while ago.

This is my Albert Locoto or Rocoto Chilli Pepper plant, grow from the seeds from Real Seeds.

It was sown 3rd Feb 2008 in a heated propagator. Then repotted and hardened off with all the other chillis, and grown half outside [on warm/hot days] half indoors [in cold but sunny garage] and brought in from the garage to the dining room in December.

The peppers were all green when it came indoors but they have turned red. We've had about 8 off it now, and you can see the others coming red now.

I had cut the foliage back in about sept/oct time, as the branches do sprawl, and it has grown new leaves since making it a bit more dense.

It looks like it can get quite big, but I'm just seeing how long it will last if grown over a few years, and keeping the size relatively the same as it is now.

[Seahorse]

I want one

[smallblueplanet]

Nice!

What do the chillies taste like?

[zazen999]

I'd say they are like hot sweet peppers...with the black seeds. Not too hot though.

[SarzWix]

Pics of mine are on the other pooter, but mine were much more low growing, very sprawly. I didn't prune them at all. I say 'were' because the kittens completely trashed the ones we brought in, and the others were planted into the border in the tunnel. They did survive the cold long past the point that the others succumbed to frost though

[zazen999]

Sarah - mine was very sprawly - it grew sideways more than up so I just kept it to max a metre across. If left to its devices, who knows how wide it would have got!

The peppers are like little baubles through - very festive.

[SarzWix]

They were very nice looking plants, lovely purple flowers, slightly fuzzy foliage, and the chillis were nice too. I'll be starting from scratch with them again soon. I didn't mind the tunnel ones sprawling - they were almost ground cover, but maybe the potted ones will get a haircut

[smallblueplanet]

I'd say they are like hot sweet peppers...with the black seeds. Not too hot though.

Hey zazen! I've just realised the two Alberto's Locoto seeds you sent me weren't black. I've just received some 'Rocoto orange' seeds and they are most definately black.

Did ya send me the right seeds????

[zazen999]

Hey zazen! I've just realised the two Alberto's Locoto seeds you sent me weren't black. I've just received some 'Rocoto orange' seeds and they are most definately black.

Did ya send me the right seeds????

Those were from the Real Seeds packet so they should be - I've only got one original left now...and it is definitely black. How strange?????

I'm going to germinate my own saved seeds next week and if they germinate ok I'll send some over to you.

[smallblueplanet]

The one (of the two) seeds that germinated is definately a pepper of the 'hairy' variety. But the seeds were nothing like the 'rocoto orange' ones which were startlingly black. Be interesting to see how your self-saved ones grow.

[zazen999]

The one (of the two) seeds that germinated is definately a pepper of the 'hairy' variety. But the seeds were nothing like the 'rocoto orange' ones which were startlingly black. Be interesting to see how your self-saved ones grow.

I've got to get my one remaining one out now and inspect!!!!!!

[zazen999]

In the stark light of day - I suppose they could be described as dark dark brown.....but if you got a hairy seedling, that's them!

[smallblueplanet]

Well you must have given me the albino ones then, cos no way did they look like these!

rocoto orange seeds

[zazen999]

The only thing I can think is that someone else has 2 Rocotos...but I'm sure there WERE only 2 in the packet as I only had 3 left.

Stumped???

[smallblueplanet]

Well maybe my mind is playing tricks then!? But anyway Alberto looks fine.