When I have grown reapers, I harvest at least 90% of the peppers. My plants average yield is 250 to 300 peppers and depending on the growing season, I harvest maybe 50 peppers at the end of the season that do not ripen to red. The 10% that I lose are scorched by the sun or partially eaten. What eats them I have no idea. I grow them in large containers that are 20 inches in diameter and hold about 50 pounds of soil.
Mark G Fegen I do not see why the seeds would not be viable.
My reaper plants get about four feet in height and very bushy. I think that it may have something to do with the container size, but then I have never planted a reaper in the ground to see how it compares.
Mark G Fegen I have a raised bed that I have been preparing. I am not sure how much the pepper size will differ but the size of the plant and yield may be larger.
Honestly, every super hot I've tried to grow has failed. I think not great seeds were the culprit. Every other type of pepper I've grown has done great. Tabasco plant was giant. My scotch bonnets plants did great even though I neglected them like crazy. Thai peppers, no issues.
Cayenne Diane - In my limited experience two things i have learnt, first: DRAINAGE!! I took my pots and literally carved many more holes in to the underside, and i made those holes large, I noticed a difference.. Second, i ignored them more.. I tended to overcare. so i left them to their own devices, sometimes i hit them with water only when i noticed the leaves wilting.,.. I have read this advice from many seasoned chilli growers, and i noticed a difference.. I hope you try again, and let us know.. PS: If i can keep the aphids from respawing. that will make a hooge difference..
Mark G Fegen It gets hot and dry in St. Charles during the summer. I will take a hose to them when I see the leaves wilting. I fill the pot with water until I see the water come out the bottom. As far as fertilizer goes, I will mix some dry fertilizer in with the soil as I fill the pots. When I first started growing peppers I was a bit meticulous when I did everything. Now I just let them grow.
Skip Pallesen _ i have learnt that a low Nitrogen fertilizer makes a big difference.. And loads of Bone meal.. It also took me a while to NOT over fertilize. I destroyed healthy plants initially by over feeding. - Lesson learnt.
My reaper plants get about four feet in height and very bushy. I think that it may have something to do with the container size, but then I have never planted a reaper in the ground to see how it compares.