[CH] Seeking Chilaca growing experience
Jim Nelson (jmnelson@winfirst.com)
Sun, 10 Aug 2003 15:37:27 -0700
OK, milder side pods and botanists among ye, I need the benefit of your
experience
I planted four wonderful and quite prolific plants which bore the label
"Pasilla de Oaxaca" at time of acquisition. Yes, I know that a Pasilla
is a dried pepper so I am assuming that what I have must be the chilaca
that when dried becomes the pasilla de Oaxaca. In early to mid June, I
began to get gorgeous healthy looking dark green pods again consistent
with the chilaca. Admittedly lawyers ( Chile head or otherwise) are not
known for patience but 2 month without a change in size, shape color or
texture seems a bit long. I've tried a few green and they are quite
complex and delicious but the game plan was to use these for mole negro
. . .which won't work too well until I get them into pasilla stage which
is after they turn . . .well . . . brown.
I suppose it could be the case that this variety refuses to turn until
after Labor Day for political reasons or something but I am also
beginning to wonder if there is some additional thing I should have done
or should be doing to get them to ripen. Yes, I tried slicing open a
tomatillo each day as a sacrifice to El Grande ( who by the way is among
those running for governor out here" but that has not accomplished much
other than to give me an excuse to eat the tomatillo. Have not tried
stressing the plant by reducing water yet. Any thoughts including: "Jim
chill out, dude, you cannot rush mother nature" are appreciated.
Jim the Chilehead Lawyer ( to differentiate himself from more venerable
Jim's on the list).