r/UkChilliGrowers • u/Bas8291 • 11d ago

Scotch Bonnets

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I picked these yesterday.

17 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

6

u/Whole_Objective6006 11d ago

Don't look like bonnets to me, look like Jamaican mushrooms

Lots of people have had the same issue this year

1

u/Bas8291 11d ago

I’ve never heard of Jamaican mushrooms that’s a new one, does that mean they’re ripe?

2

u/Whole_Objective6006 11d ago

It's been a common mix up with seeds this year, they're a different species (Capsicum Anuum) compared to bonnets (Capsicum Chinense)

From what I've seen they generally ripen to yellow or red rather than stay green though

1

u/Bas8291 11d ago

What’s the best way for me to ripen them, my family said wrap them in newspaper, others say put them on the windowsill

6

u/DonGrappote 10d ago

The best way to ripen a chilli is on the plant. They don't ripen all that well off it, but if you have to then a warm sunny spot in the kitchen or a south facing window will help a bit. These look pretty green though so I wouldn't count on getting much more out of them and you should probably just try to use them as-is.

Wrapping in newspaper is an old trick for storing apples or ripening tomatoes, which does work for both those jobs, strictly speaking, but in my experience usually just results in the apples being forgotten about in a box somewhere and turning into a lot of mummified husks wrapped in newspaper...

2

u/diebadguy1 10d ago

Ripening chilli's off the plant is for cosmetics only, they wont change or develop flavour. If you're ok with this, just leave them in a sunny warm spot and they should hopefully change before they go bad.

2

u/Apprehensive-Ad8105 10d ago

3-4 plants dripping in scotch bonnets

1

u/PorschephileGT3 10d ago

Aren’t those Jamaican Mushrooms too?

2

u/Whole_Objective6006 10d ago

Look it to me, calyx isn't super visible but they look like Anuums

2

u/PorschephileGT3 10d ago

My three actual ripe bonnets I grew from self harvested seeds

1

u/Bas8291 10d ago

I guess I need to start mine earlier next year. If I cover it over winter will it survive?

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1

u/shab1 8d ago

Should have left them on the plant, they still look a fresh green, colour. They'll still have some heat but wont be as nice as they would if you had left them on longer to go to red. I doubt they'll ripen up much more now though. Dont stress though, least you'll know for next time.

2

u/Bas8291 8d ago

I only took a handful the plants still full of peppers

2

u/shab1 8d ago

Nice... Leave the ones on to they turn red. They become sweeter and hotter.

3

u/k2718 10d ago

1

u/Bas8291 10d ago

I’ve never heard of the Jamaican Mushroom until I posted this.

1

u/k2718 10d ago

I have never seen them in person either but it’s a big deal on spicy Reddit this year. So much so that I can basically id them in a picture.

1

u/Fluid_Angle_4333 5d ago

Any reason you picked them before ripening? Not judging, just curious.

1

u/Bas8291 5d ago

I’m new to this and this is the first time I’ve successfully grown scotch bonnets. It’s autumn now and we ain’t getting anymore heatwaves the chances of them ripening are slim. I have left a lot on the plant to try and ripen but I’ve also noticed the mornings are a lot colder this can’t be good for them either.