At the same time I started five jalapeno chili pepper plants. They were much smaller, hardly larger than seedlings. They are coming along pretty good, although one plant is smaller than the restl The squirrels have been digging in the dirt of the pots, and the smaller plant was once almost totally dug up. The squirrels don't eat the plants, but maybe they are looking for food. I was told by a friend to sprinkle just a little cayenne pepper powder on top of the soil. The pepper gets into the squirrels paws and burns, then they lick their paws and get it into their mouths. They haven't bothered the jalapenos anymore.
Nearly two years ago, Jo Richardson, one of the Political Science professors I work with, gave me three cactuses. The three were in one small, 4 inch pot. After about 2 months, I forget them in my old office, where they sat on the window sill without water from Sept to Dec 2007. I brought them home in Dec 2007, and transplanted them into separate pots in the Spring of 2008.
The cayenne pepper trick works with tulip bulbs, which our squirrels love. You should pickle some of the habaneros.
ReplyDeleteBesides pickling some jalapenos, I am considering an attempt at Jalapeno Jelly. The habaneros are too hot for me, so if you want any I can send you some. Most of the chili peppers will probably get dried for storage and used for spicing food. I can probably mail you some of those, too.
ReplyDeleteHabaneros are too wicked; my acid torn gullet smiles & agrees. I'd love some jalap jelly if you make some!
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