[CH] Pubescent in the Andes

Cameron Begg (begg@ceof.ohio-state.edu)
Thu, 08 Jan 2004 15:42:23 -0500 

Hi C-H's,

As requested, here are some details of rocoto growing in Peru.

This is the basic info. I received:
"The rocotos are grown at elevations between 1200-3000 meters above 
mean sea level on the western side of the Andes of Peru. The soil in 
the area of cultivation is very rich in minerals. We do not use any 
kind of fertilizer or pesticide in the cultivation process. The 
plants are in a region of abundant natural rainfall and sunlight. We 
also carefully hand-pick the specimens to be used.
When it gets real cold they cover the plants with a protecting 
blanket until the temperature rises. High temperatures are about 
22-26 C. on the average."

Here are some of my ramblings:
I do not expect the altitude will make much difference to their 
growth. In any case there's not much that most of us can do about it! 
The plants are tropical and therefore light 12h on and 12h off should 
suit them best. Notice that they are probably grown (at least 
sometimes) on fairly steep slopes facing West. This would indicate 
that they receive the maximum intensity of their light input in the 
morning. Don't know if this matters. I would like to know what 
minerals are referred to. Perhaps I can find out from the Peruvian 
Geological Survey or from some of my ore geologist friends. Here is 
one I missed - it rains there A LOT. Of course - "DOH!"- they are on 
the Western side of the Andes! If you are growing them in a hot place 
try misting them in the middle of the day. Here I was, worrying about 
the high humidity in the Midwest, but that is clearly not a problem. 
We already know that they are not frost hardy and we have observed 
that they look distressed when the temps. get into the upper 80's F. 
(26C=77F) We have talked before about the desirability of shielding 
them from direct sun by affording them some shade around midday. Now 
I am convinced that they can take any amount of sunlight and that 
high temperature is the problem. I'll see if I can set up a mister 
for hot days this Summer.

Except for the sunlight problem, these should be ideal plants to grow 
in a greenhouse in Europe. Twelve hours of supplemental light per day 
would do the trick if you can afford the electricity bill. Or arrange 
some big mirrors maybe?

Let me know your thoughts. I'd really like to take a trip over there :-)
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                      Regards,               Cameron.