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Jalapenos, when are they ready?

vidalia1
vidalia1 Posts: 7,092
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
The pickle post below has prompted a question. I am growing Jalapenos for the first time...with the salmonella scare it is a good thing...

my question is: when do I know they are ready to pick? I have about 8 peppers that are are about 2 inches long which look good but how do I know??? Also, how long will the plant continue to produce peppers this year here in Ga?

Thanks in advance for your information.
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Comments

  • mattk330
    mattk330 Posts: 74
    Not very scientific but I always knew they were ready by: 1. they pulled off easily; 2. some started to turn color (red/orange); 3. They tasted good (not bland or bitter).
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  • EmandM'sDad
    EmandM'sDad Posts: 648
    Kim -I pick mine when they get to be about as big as your thumb. they will continue to grow, even to the point of reddening slightly. i usually pick when i have enough to make a dozen or so ABTs. in Annapolis i continue to get peppers until the first hard frost.
    good luck
    mike
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
    gonna sound like i'm being a wise-adze.

    but when they look like jalapenos, they're ready.

    two inches or more, firm, shiny, green.

    you can let them go red and they will be fine, just not as hot. if they go too long they'll get dry scars (like cracks). still fine, just not as photogenic and hot

    remember, heat's mostly in the white membrane that holds the seeds, not the seed themseves. so you can reuce the heat by scraping them fully down to the bare inner walls (but that's no fun!).
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • EmandM'sDad
    EmandM'sDad Posts: 648
    Want to try a neat experiment? plant a habinero plant in the middle of your jalapenos. Cross pollination works!
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  • Rascal
    Rascal Posts: 3,923
    Curious, I don't believe I've ever seen red jalapenos at the market. Does the taste change at all when they take on the red color?
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
    the wife eats habs like jujubes.

    my trick for eating habaneros is to eat jalapenos fist. pretty much overloads and fries the mouth, so i don't really feel the heat of the habaneros. hahaha well, until the next day, if you know what i mean.
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • EmandM'sDad
    EmandM'sDad Posts: 648
    I don't really like the TASTE of Habineros, but like the heat. they have a muddy taste. the cross polination thing jacks up the jalapenos just enough to make them interesting, but still have the nice fruity jalapeno flavor. i hope to get enough this year to smoke into chipoltles.
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  • EmandM'sDad
    EmandM'sDad Posts: 648
    they get a little sweeter, much less heat! i ussually only see red ones at the groceryin late august-september
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
    my habaneros didn't do anything last year. so we had (have) to buy them. i have noticed a nice fresh green pepper flavor to them actually rather than muddy. of course, that is until my toungue turns to leather
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • EmandM'sDad
    EmandM'sDad Posts: 648
    the heat on my tongue is the least of my worries. It's the phrase "Everything will pass" that that brings fear to the heart.
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
    wa ha ha ha ha
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • vidalia1
    vidalia1 Posts: 7,092
    Thanks for the info guys...I think I am going to have some home grown ABT's this weekend... ;)
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  • Grandpas Grub
    Grandpas Grub Posts: 14,226
    Eat Ice cream.

    Then learn the term 'Come on Ice Cream'...

    GG
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  • Rick's Tropical Delight
    Rick's Tropical Delight Posts: 1,564
    that is not true. the red ones and the scared ones are hotter.

    click

    you won't see them in the markets in the u.s., but they are all over in mexico
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