Cayenne Conundrum

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
lilprintesa1028 Beaver Dam, WI Sep 02, 2007

Help! I've the most beautiful cayenne peppers in my garden. The problem is they are still green. They are so big the tips are touching the ground and a colony of ants are beginning to climb up them. I'm worried the ants will harm the plants/peppers, but do I need to leave them on the vine untill they turn red? Do they turn red after you pick them? Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Post #3929274
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Sep 02, 2007

While cayennes can be used green, they are normally used as a mature pepper for drying. in that case leave them on the plant until ripe (fully red). There are several types and some of them get pretty large. These are usually the milder ones. Keep watch for aphids, if you have ants. The ants don't usually bother them but they do herd aphids. You may be able to the aphids off with soapy water.

Post #3929329
Quote
ZenSojourner (Zone 8a) Sep 11, 2007

If you want to dry them, then yes, you need to let them turn red.

If you want to cook with them fresh - which I do FREQUENTLY, and in fact far more often than I have ever used dried peppers, then you can pick them anytime.

In point of fact, where cayennes are grown and commonly used (say, INDIA), they are used more often green and fresh than dried. The dried stuff is what you use when you can't get them fresh. My exes family used to finish off a meal by eating a raw green chili. Said it "aided digestion" - I just bet!

Just depends on what you wanted them for. If for drying - yes, they have to fully ripen to dry well (the walls thin out as they ripen, the ripe fruit is less fleshy and dries better).

Otherwise - pick away!

Sojourner

Post #3963838
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP