C. baccatum does not need Isolation?
 

I started two plants of Aji Crystal, and have one survivor of Lemon Drop. Both are are medium high on the scoville scale and are of the species baccatum.


I was very surprised to read that this species can be safely grown among sweet peppers with no danger of cross pollination. Good news to me, as I would like to save seeds of sweet peppers without unwanted heat.



Verification that I am understanding correctly please, and suggestions on other peppers that can be grown in the same bed without cross pollinating.


- Lisa

[B][/B]

I thought they CAN cross with other varieties but the seeds crossed with other capsica will give sterile plants. Plants that will grow but not produce peppers. That is only what I read and remember but experts here can give you more scientific info :-)

Here this will explain.

[url]http://www.thechileman.org/guide_crossing_peppers.php[/url]

Aji Cristal does not appear to be very prone to crossing outside of its own species. I've saved & regrown seed for 4 generations so far, with no other isolation from open-pollinated [I]C. annuum[/I] varieties other than distances of less than 100'. There have been no apparent crosses in Aji Cristal.


I can't say whether there might have been crosses going the other way, since I've never saved seed from the open-pollinated [I]C. annuum[/I] patch. The one time I did (for an interesting cross which appeared there) the next generation was a genetic stew of all the OP varieties grown that year. In my area, any [I]C. annuum [/I]varieties will cross freely unless fully isolated.

Zeedman thank you for that information! I have seen some of the pictures you have posted here at Tomatoville and I am under the impression that you probably run a fairly large operation. How many Aji Crista do you grow annually?l
Dutch

OP, I think you are thinking of pubescens, not baccatum. Even then, one should isolate, to avoid making sterile seeds.

[QUOTE=zipcode;731886]OP, I think you are thinking of pubescens, not baccatum. Even then, one should isolate, to avoid making sterile seeds.[/QUOTE]


I am learning, may be misunderstanding my source. Till now, I have not had a serious desire to save pure seeds, outside of the mmmm swap. This past summer I met a local grower that supplies one tomato and two pepper varieties for a large seed seller and learned the criteria that must be followed. No sewing tulle bags, just isolation distance, and quantity restrictions.

I searched google on the variety Aji Crystal, and the second seed seller hit, axxxx.seeds provided the information in question. I certainly have a great deal to learn about the nuances of peppers. I'm not a huge fan of hots, so my pepper knowledge is very basic. Outside of jalapenos, I only started two interesting baccatum peppers and op sweets with the intention of saving seeds to share here. I appreciate all the info shared. Never knew of sterile seeds. Lots to study ahead and choose for next year.

Hope to continue hearing more examples.

- Lisa