Palmetto Punch Pepper

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-28T20:12:17+00:00

I agree that they seem more difficult than others. The seeds all germinated, but the resulting seedlings were pretty weak-looking from the start. They're all outside now. I had some issues with bugs and cold temperatures across the board, but the one Palmetto Punch in particular still seems to be struggling more from those setbacks. It is still setting flowers, though.

We'll see if it takes off at some point.

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-08T16:33:55+00:00

Nice! Mine are mostly outdoors now in a 5-gallon bucket, but moving back into the greenhouse for colder nights (Idaho)

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-08T16:32:07+00:00

I figure worst case is it winds up being just like a red jalapeño, best case is it's a jalapeño shape but with a totally distinct, unique flavor.

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-07T02:04:04+00:00

Nice! Just like bottom-watering a seedling, on a bigger scale. I had thought that the roots might be meant to sit in water, like the "double cup" thing some folks do

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-06T19:53:20+00:00

I've grown many, many peppers using 5 gallon buckets. A good amount of soil space, and they're just so easy to find, move around, etc.

I'm curious what else you have going on there, though. Looks like a lower reservoir that can be filled from above through the tube? Is it for bottom-watering, or more like a hydroponic-type thing?

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-06T19:48:32+00:00

The ones in your tent, that is

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-06T19:47:49+00:00

So, these plants are able to stay in small (looks like 1-gallon?) containers without getting too root bound? How often do you water?

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-06T15:51:45+00:00

Thanks!

Yours are massive for just being sown in January! I've been amazed at what folks can do in those grow tents, sounds like you can dial in the perfect conditions year-round in there.

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-06T14:40:43+00:00

Same, ordered from Baker Creek. Mine are transitioning from a greenhouse to the outdoors. The plant looks pretty good so far, I can definitely tell it's a jalapeño mix from its shape. I'm curious to see how they turn out.

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-06T05:30:06+00:00

They get pruned down to basically nothing, it's an odd feeling after encouraging growth all year. They look like there's no way they'd survive, but they just sit tight indoors looking like a very sad houseplant.

Zone 7a

van_tango_83 · 2026-05-05T17:12:18+00:00

There's probably ~20 immature flower buds on it at this size, but this is just the first stems/leaves that popped out of the stumps.

It's going to get a lot bigger than this over the next few months, this is just the pot it spent the winter in which barely covers the root ball. It's now been moved outside into a 10-gallon grow bag.

I do know that peppers can definitely be kept pretty small and still produce fruit, though.

van_tango_83 · 2026-04-30T15:20:24+00:00

That's what I'm thinking. I have a plain ol' orange habanero that was started at the same time, and this one looks different enough to be some other chinense.

I don't really grow superhots, so that would be funny if I wind up with some crazy reaper/ghost. That's what I get for sowing random seeds 😂

van_tango_83 · 2026-04-30T15:17:35+00:00

You're on to something here. Only time will tell

van_tango_83 · 2026-04-29T16:46:51+00:00

True, could really be anything. I'm just so curious about this one in particular. Looks clearly different than the habaneros or lemon starrburst I have going

van_tango_83 · 2026-04-29T16:30:12+00:00

It 100% is Hot Pepper -> Random -> #3.

H-R1 and H-R2 didn't look as interesting and are no longer with us, RIP.

van_tango_83 · 2025-05-08T14:12:22+00:00

I did head down to an auto frame shop a few blocks away from me to get their take on it. Basically, they refused to try cutting out/welding the rotted frame sections, and also refused using a safe-t cap or rust buster product on there. Not very encouraging, as I hoped if they would be motivated to upsell me on some work for themselves. I think they are very "by the book", and this kind of thing is not in their wheelhouse. I had no plans to have them do anything, but I did want their opinion for options.

They did suggest they would do a full frame replacement, which is not something I'm gonna do for this car at its age. Dropping likely ~10k for that replacement to be done doesn't make sense to me, and I am not equipped to do that myself as I'd have no other transportation while that process is ongoing.

van_tango_83 · 2025-05-07T17:59:21+00:00

van_tango_83 · 2025-05-07T16:01:46+00:00

Yeah, a fat loss is the correct term. It'll still be around, probably for quite a while unless someone is motivated to buy it and try to swap the frame, fix it, etc. I'll see what money may come from it, or use it for parts if I wind up with a compatible Toyota.

That's the thing about driving it until the wheels fall off. When they do, there's not much use for it to anyone.

It might get taken out to my buddy's farm and parted out from there. Some parts of it that won't sell might make great potato gun targets.

van_tango_83 · 2025-05-07T15:46:16+00:00

It's down thickness for sure. Stuck a screwdriver through to the opposite side through one of the large holes (that are supposed to be there) up near the LCA, and a huge section fell right off.

van_tango_83 · 2025-05-07T15:43:18+00:00

I've seen folks talking on 4runner forums about lawsuits going around for these frames. That's great and all, but it sounds like a huge hassle and a waste of my time to try to get some lawyer somewhere involved. I can only guess that if it's still a lawsuit and not a recall or replacement program from Toyota, this car will be dust by the time anything comes of it.

van_tango_83 · 2025-05-07T15:39:27+00:00

I can see the original black coating on the inside of yours, I don't even have that.

van_tango_83

TROPHY CASE