No heat in Trinidad Scorpion?

ChrisK · September 15, 2012

Has anyone ever had hot peppers that weren't actually hot? I obtained some seeds last year of Trinidad Scorpion, Caribbean Red and Bhut Jolokia among others.

None of these three have ANY heat. Seriously. I took a tiny nibble of the Scorpion expecting fire...nothing. Thought that was odd so took a bigger chunk...tasted like a bell pepper! Same on the Caribbean Red!

They seem to have grown true to type.

Any thoughts?

Cole_Robbie · September 15, 2012

Did you get them from a seed-saver or a company? From what I read, the Bhuts and the Caribbean Reds are hybrids.

Boutique Tomatoes · September 15, 2012

I have heard of this happening occassionaly. Really weird that it would happen to all the plants though.

Were these seeds from me by any chance?

Texas Blues · September 15, 2012

Where'd you get the seed? Do you have any pics?

ChrisK · September 15, 2012

I believe they were. It is really odd! The plants are beautiful and loaded with fruit. I will continue to *carefully* sample as they ripen. Perhaps it's because these were the first off the plants?

Quote:

Originally Posted by marktutt

I have heard of this happening occassionaly. Really weird that it would happen to all the plants though.

Were these seeds from me by any chance?

Boutique Tomatoes · September 16, 2012

Those certainly look right. Other people have reported early fruits having no heat on supers before, and it generally is only the first week or so's ripe peppers.

Did you have any weird weather when they first started setting fruit?

matereater · September 16, 2012

I had a similar experience when eating a cherry bomb/big bomb, tasted like any regular red pepper, until you get to the pith and seeds, then the heat really shows up big time. Make sure to get part of the pith and seeds when you sample.

ChrisK · September 16, 2012

We had a very hot summer with decent rainfall. The plants look fantastic. There must be 100 peppers on the TYS and CR plants!

Quote:

Originally Posted by marktutt

Those certainly look right. Other people have reported early fruits having no heat on supers before, and it generally is only the first week or so's ripe peppers.

Did you have any weird weather when they first started setting fruit?

Boutique Tomatoes · September 16, 2012

One theory as to why it happens is if the plants are a little too comfortable when they start setting fruit they don't start creating the capsaicin compounds. Only a theory though.

Let me know if it continues? Or you could randomly try a couple of green fruits and see if they have any heat. They wouldn't be at their best but might give you an idea as to if it's pervasive.

tjg911 · September 17, 2012

isn't there a pepper that looks like a trinidad scorpion that is not hot? seems i remember that. but if it's happening to 3 varieties then i doubt that's going to work for 3.

tom

lapk78 · September 17, 2012

I'm growing Ghosts and Habaneros in pots. From my experience, to develop a good heat, they need to be stressed. Let them go for what you would assume to be too long between waterings. Also, if you don't let them fully ripen, they may be severely lacking in heat. This just from my limited experience.

September 15, 2012	#1
ChrisK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,448	No heat in Trinidad Scorpion? Has anyone ever had hot peppers that weren't actually hot? I obtained some seeds last year of Trinidad Scorpion, Caribbean Red and Bhut Jolokia among others. None of these three have ANY heat. Seriously. I took a tiny nibble of the Scorpion expecting fire...nothing. Thought that was odd so took a bigger chunk...tasted like a bell pepper! Same on the Caribbean Red! They seem to have grown true to type. Any thoughts?

September 16, 2012	#7
matereater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S.E. Michigan (Livonia) Posts: 1,264	I had a similar experience when eating a cherry bomb/big bomb, tasted like any regular red pepper, until you get to the pith and seeds, then the heat really shows up big time. Make sure to get part of the pith and seeds when you sample. __________________ Steve Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

September 17, 2012	#10
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	isn't there a pepper that looks like a trinidad scorpion that is not hot? seems i remember that. but if it's happening to 3 varieties then i doubt that's going to work for 3. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

September 15, 2012	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Did you get them from a seed-saver or a company? From what I read, the Bhuts and the Caribbean Reds are hybrids.

September 15, 2012	#3
Boutique Tomatoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, Zone 5a Posts: 1,109	I have heard of this happening occassionaly. Really weird that it would happen to all the plants though. Were these seeds from me by any chance?

September 15, 2012	#4
Texas Blues Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 35	Where'd you get the seed? Do you have any pics?

September 17, 2012	#11
lapk78 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Zone 8B Posts: 118	I'm growing Ghosts and Habaneros in pots. From my experience, to develop a good heat, they need to be stressed. Let them go for what you would assume to be too long between waterings. Also, if you don't let them fully ripen, they may be severely lacking in heat. This just from my limited experience.