brick and mortar gig in Oerlikon.
Haven't been there in a while, though.
Tom
I think that I am going to try grow some. I've seen that I can get seeds online. If successful I would be happy to share/trade different types with fellow 'hot heads'!
My capsacin gambiensae are growing well, and ready to be transferred outside.
So is the rainbow paprika, aji lemon drops, aji pineapple, and Hungarian waxy. In fact, the only thing not doing so well is the tepin (wild chili)...
The weather is great for growing. My offer for seeds still holds
Been struggling here in France as well - supermarket items, sometimes labelled as paprika or peperoni, only occasionally have any heat, and it's not possible to tell unless you rip one open to taste it (which isn't encouraged). We have one asian (actually Korean) supplier close, but his supplies have been interrupted as well, although he's generally still had Scotch Bonnets, which one has to be careful with.
In lieu of that we do have a very good stock of dried Mexican chillis, and various ground ones too, so we're managing at interim.
I grow habaneros in one of these homemade self-watering buckets, and never worry about not watering enough, or overwatering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWkg5ttOm5I
I just planted one out today, and it won't need any more water for 3-4 weeks. In mid-Summer, when it's hot and the plant is using lots of water, the reservoir gets filled maybe once a week but it'll go for 2 weeks before the soil dries out and the plant suffers.
Does the type of root make a difference? Some plants "dig deep" whereas others stay close-ish to the surface and spread out instead. Strawberries for instance won't go deeper than ~15cm (under ordinary circumstances), does such a deep container work for them, too?
I will definitely try this with some kitchen herbs.
I grow strawberries with this method, too. (though not in a bucket. I posted a general guide to building sub-irrigated planter boxes in the gardening thread a few days ago) The roots fill the soil completely, about 20 cm deep. I use potting soil and add about 20% extra perlite by volume (also for the peppers).
The bucket holds much more soil, maybe 35 cm deep. There are hydroton pellets on top as a mulch- they get nice and hot in the sun so I think the pepper will like it. I know this method works well for all peppers, and tomatoes grow well but some types can get watery/lose flavor. Last year i planted marigolds between the chilis and they went gangbusters.
It's possible to make a larger sub-irrigated planter out of stackable 'Rako' boxes - a tall one for the soil and a short one as a reservoir below. Then you can put the whole thing on wheels with one of these . Convenient for a terrace.