My serranos are blooming! Now what do I do?

Question

I've never had much of a green thumb, but three of my serrano plants have survived and one is blooming.

The weather is starting to turn colder, at what temp should I bring them inside at night (they're potted). It's getting into the forties at night now, but they still look okay.

I know they can be picked at either the green or the red stage, but what's are the pros/cons of each stage?

Also, how do I preserve them?

Lastly, I heard the peppers are hotter in hot weather, this true? If so, I'm going to have some mild (relatively) peppers, which is okay.

I live in the high desert (5000 ft elevation). The plants are on my back patio. My patio faces full east, so they get full morning sun and shade the rest of the day. I had been over watering them, but cut back and they seem happier with that. They have been fertilized with Osmocote. I'm excited because I really had given up on their producing any fruit. But I kept watering them anyway. Glad I did.

Answer 1

WHAT SERRANOS NEED

Full sun. In the desert, grow plants in a spot where they'll get afternoon shade, or place shadecloth over them.

Fertile, well-drained soil. If you live in a cool-summer climate, grow chiles in containers or raised beds, or plant them through black-plastic mulch to boost soil temperature.

Adequate space. In the ground, place plants 18 to 24 inches apart. In containers, one or two plants are plenty.

Water. Keep soil moist, especially during flowering and fruiting. Spread mulch around plants to maintain soil moisture.

Fertilizer. Feed every three weeks with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorous formula such as 5-10-5.

Full-size pods before picking. Serranos are usually harvested green, but you can wait until they turn red. Snip pods off with scissors or pruners.

Growing options. Serranos are tender perennials. In frost-free climates, you often can get another season out of the same plants. In colder climates, start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the average date of the last frost in your area.

Often the decision of when to harvest is influenced by the intended use of a particular pepper. Serranos are usually used for salsas when green, versus red and mature.

Answer 2

You could get some bloom food for them (Miracle Gro or Osmocote). Just follow the directions on the package.

I would bring the plants indoors now, if you think it will get much colder any time soon. I don't think the temperature affects the hotness of the peppers. But, it will affect how quickly they grow.

Also, here's a website on growing peppers, with all kinds of other good info including how to preserve them:

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/peppers1.html

Answer 3

I don't know if you still have any insects that will help pollinate the blooms on your serranos. If you bring them in at night, can you take them back out in the daytime until you get fruit set?

The flowers will drop off and you will see a tiny nub which will become the pepper. You can bring them in 24/7 once you think the plant has been pollinated.

Answer 4

Relax and anticipate...you'll soon have wonderful peppers. A small dose of low-nitrogen fertilizer scratched into the soil in a circle at the drip line of the plant will help,but don't overdo it.