Why aren't my chillies hot????

[Nicos]

I've grown two types of chillies- both have no zing at all in their skin. One is a bulls horn and the other is a hot cayenne.
I've taken them off the plant green and leaving them to ripen indors in the sun. Even the reddened cayennes are tasteless.
Where did I go wrong????

[rustylady]

I grew Bulls Horn a couple of years ago, and found they were more like a sweet pepper in taste. Maybe you've been too kind to your Cayenne - mine seem to have more heat if I keep them on the dry side. Also let them ripen on the plant if possible.

[Nicos]

OOpppsss...and...ahhhh....

[HeyWayne]

I'm sure I've also read/heard that they end up hotter if you water them less. Not sure how much truth there is in it. My Jalepenos were a bit bland this year - however, the plant is producing a second set of fruits which I'm hoping will be more fierce.

[Florence Fennel]

I've grown hot cayenne Nicos. Used the first one on Monday and I was disappointed at the lack of heat, even though it was very red, had ripened on the plant and had been watered meanly. Wonder what's going on? They were really hot last year.

[nomis]

let the ripen on the plant and do not water very often

[taff]

I used four jalapenos yesterday in something, no heat at all.....

[chengjing]

I am glad I am not alone here. I have same issue with all my chilli peppers. I grow about 10 varieties, only a couple of them hot.

[Pies]

For any chilli to get it hot stress it,low water excess heat etc

[Nicos]

If I stand there and yell at them...do ya think that might work???

[Alison]

My jalapenos are about twice the heat they were last year but think that could be down to the fact that they've not been watered much in the polytunnel, where as last year they probably got too much in the greenhouse. Am finding that one in a meal for two is giving us a nice all round warmth. Sadly my scotch bonnets got eaten by catepillars (only the fruits, not the plants!) so they're the hottest ones I've got in any number.

[nomis]

You should catch the Caterpillars and eat them, I reckon they would be tastey

[Alison]

All the ones I found got squidged as is customary in our house / garden / plot Didn't really fancy them on toast.....

[taff]

Sadly my scotch bonnets got eaten by catepillars (only the fruits, not the plants!)

Double hard b*****d caterpillars!!!

Nicos, lol! Yeah, tell them the chillies up the road said they were cowards...

[T8Ter]

I've grown numerous varieties this year, can't say I've stressed them as I've fed them woth copious amounts of Chilli Focus. Some are mild (cayenne, lemon blanco) but the Fatali, bhut jolokia and gambia red (still green ) are fierce.