Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Carolina Reaper Pepper

The very day I learned that a batch of Trinidad Moruga Scorpion hot pepper pods had broken through 2,000,000 on the Scoville Heat Unit scale, I ordered 10 seeds. These I planted indoors on February 02, 2012. Only 6 seeds sprouted. I babied them for weeks until I had room (and time) to transplant them into the backyard high tunnel on June 29th – along with several other superhot varieties (Bhut Jolokia, 7 Pot Barrackapore, Naga Viper, Trinidad Scorpion, Trinidad Scorpion Butch T, Naga Morich).

The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion plants have been healthy but did not even start to get buds until October. I have yet to see an open blossom on any of the 6 plants, let alone a pod.

Well, some serious winter weather is settling in and I cannot afford to keep heating the high tunnel (this is NOT a greenhouse…). The aphids are horrible and have not responded to organic pest control methods. There are quite a few living ladybugs, but they are very lethargic most of the time. The aphids, on the other hand, keep sucking the life out of the tomato and lettuce plants, and reproducing like bacteria, regardless of whether the temperature is 34° or 107°.

So I’ve decided to try to save my most valuable pepper plants through the winter. Yesterday I constructed a small “low tunnel” within the high tunnel and mounted a metal halide light. The pepper plants should stay cozy for the next 3 months. Aphids will be the major challenge (along with paying the electric bill…)

Also, a couple of weeks ago I read about the Carolina Reaper Pepper (previously known as HP22B for Higher Power, pot 22, plant B) and, predictably, immediately purchased some seeds directly from the developer. After 3 days in the fridge, I planted 11 seeds on December 05, 2012. These peppers have been tested several times over the past few years and AVERAGE 1,474,000 SHU’s!!! (my throat burns and my nose runs just thinking about eating one of these pods…)