If you could only grow one...

[Jenny Green]

chillie, which one would you choose?
I only want to grow one plant this year as this is as much as I use. I usually grow Jalapeno but my seeds have run out so now's the time for a change.
(Sorry Seedling, the one you gave me went mouldy.)

[alan refail]

Any Long Cayenne - unadventurous, but reliable and a heavy cropper..........

Well, I was going to leave it at that till I found

http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/hot_chili_pepper_seed.htm

Now you have a big choice.

Alan

[Mole]

I would grow 'Pizza' if I could do only one. It's a jalapeno, but bigger than standard. The seed catalogue (Tamar Organics) claimed it is milder than 'Jalapeno', but I have found it similar if not hotter. I think the heat is quite variable depending on conditions/genetics?

Mole

[oldherbaceous]

Well i'm not even sure if these are classed as chillies, but i grew Scotch bonnets, everybody seemed very pleased with them.

[Primrose]

I grow Hungarian Wax which is a fairly mild variety about four inches long. It's so decorative in pots and I just love watching the colour of the fruit change from green to yellow to orange to red. It also freezes beautifully as I always grow more than I need.

[mandylew]

I grew one called elephants trunk last year, from the real seed company. They are about 4" long and start of green turning to red, I have dried some and there are still fresh ones on the plants in my unheated greenhouse, dont seem to have gone mildew like some do. quite hot, but not unbearable, I made harissa with some green ones the other day and it is perfect.

I gave some to my friend in the summer and she thought they were french beans and boiled them. She wondered why her 10 month old baby cried when she bit into one

Mandy

[Piglet]

Red hot cherry, very versatile and it loses a bit og heat if cooked. Its very prolific to boot.

[carole]

I like Fresno.

[Jenny Green]

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone. Still not decided but I'd better get my a into g! I think I'll see what they have any of the chillies mentioned down the garden centre.

[June]

Hello Jenny
I've grown Cheyenne for a few years and have always been pleased with it. It's compact, prolific and reliable if you want to grow it outside. The fruits are orange and medium hot. I tried a similar 'cousin' (Apache) one year but the fruits were quite a bit smaller and not as many. Having said all that I've now got bored with Cheyenne and this year I'm trying Jalapeno Summer Heat (is this the same as the one you usually grow?)
I do know what you mean though about only chosing one as it is usually more than enough!
Good luck, June.

[Johnboy]

Hi Jenny,
Whilst viewing Alan's web advice re Alkanet I spotted this:
South Devon Chilli Farm
Buy chilli seeds from the experts. Posted next working day
www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/
Have you or anybody else heard of this place?
Looks as though it could be quite a good source of seed.
JB.

[Jenny Green]

Just remembered I haven't replied to this.
June, the chilli I grew was bog standard Jalapeno, not any special variety that I remember, though the seed packet was several years old by the time they ran out. (Certainly lasted a long time!)
No, I haven't bought from that place, Johnboy. I find too much choice makes my head spin. I only need one plant I think.

[cevenol jardin]

I love chillis so here are a few of my favourites and why they are useful.

Cayenne for real heat it is very reliable good cropper dries well can be ground to make of course cayenne pepper. If you are only growing one plant you get more heat for the space with this one.

Red Cherry Pepper look for an Italian or Spanish one. Not as hot as cayenne and can be used in place of sweet red peppers, it can also be stuffed and pickled.
I have seeds for one if you want some. Its a no name variety so i just call it Barcelona Cherry as that is where i picked it up.

Paprika Pepper Look for paprika pepper you get some heat and a lot of flavour again can be dried, ground to powder an all round winner.