Where can I get seeds of the ghost chili pepper mentioned in your December issue?
As far as I know, the Chili Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces is the only source of seed of this Indian pepper recently discovered by Westerners. Their number is 505-646-3028. However, given its sudden popularity as the "world's hottest pepper," I'm sure there will be a commercial source soon.
Ghost chili, whose true name is bhut jolokia, measures 1,041,427 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). SHU is the unit of measurement for the amount of heat from capsaicin, the heat-bearing ingredient in chili peppers.
For much more on growing hot peppers, see www.progressivefarmer.com/hotpeppers.
I use a 4- x 8-foot planter on stilts for raising tomatoes, but I have a problem with septoria leafspot. Is this the same as spotted leaf virus? Is it airborne or soil-borne? What chemical is available for treating it? The disease completely wiped out my midsummer to fall tomatoes last year.
The two diseases are not the same. The spotted leaf virus that you mention is officially called tomato spotted wilt virus, which is spread by the Western flower thrip, a widely distributed pest that feeds on many plants. Look at last month's column for a detailed description of infected plants.
Mature fruit with the disease looks tie-dyed. You can spray for thrips, but it might be easier to plant resistant tomato varieties. They include BHN 640, BHN 589, Mr. America, Capaya, Health Kick, Amelia and Talladega.
Septoria leafspot is caused by a fungus that first appears as multiple, small, water-soaked spots on the lower leaves. Later the center of the spot turns light tan or gray, while the edge stays dark. If you have a 10x hand lens, you will probably see small black fruiting structures of the fungus in the middle of the spot.
The spores get splashed or blown on other leaves, and thus it progresses. To avoid the problem, you can rotate crops, provide good air circulation, keep a clean garden, avoid overhead watering and always use fresh mulch.
Fortunately, you can spray with chlorothalonil or maneb to prevent septoria in most states, but check with your regional Extension office for their recommendations first.
Wooden planters may contain pest.
Wooden planter boxes sold at Lowe's last year may hold the larvae of emerald ash borer, a new imported pest that has already killed 10 million ash trees in Michigan. The planters—sold under the brand Nature's Own Planters—come from an area under federal quarantine for emerald ash borers. The planters are about 24 x 8 inches and the ash wood boards still have bark attached. They were shipped to Minnesota and possibly other states last summer and fall. "We are asking people to either burn the planters or double-wrap them in 6-millimeter plastic bags and put them in the trash," says Geir Friisoe, plant protection division director for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Lowe's officials are working to find out how many planters may have been sold.
Write Lois Trigg Chaplin at:
Ask the Gardener
2204 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 415
Birmingham, AL 35209
or gardener@progressivefarmer.com.