AAS Winner "Buffy" is Attractive and Tasty

By Vicki Gee-Treft
Pepper “Buffy,” a 2022 All America Selections’ (AAS) National Winner, will do right by you by producing a good yield of 250-280 juicy, thick-walled green to red fruits on a strong, 28-inch upright plant. Buffy’s fruits (slightly triangular, 1.4” x 0.6”) are more attractive than the comparisons as well as slightly larger making them perfect for flavorful sport peppers but also for use in other applications. The peppers are held high on the compact plant adding ornamental value to the garden. Buffy was faster to mature than “Tobasco” in the AAS trials with a bit less heat than “Ascent” until the seeds are added in. Its flavor has a high pungency with aroma, at 500,000 Scoville units. In summary, Buffy deserves its moment of recognition and deserves a place in your garden (18-25” space) or container.
 
Hot pepper is a strong, heat tolerant crop, so germinate seeds in the substrate or sand with proper irrigation. After 35 days, transplant the strongest seedlings to the garden field. On the 20th day after transplanting, remove all the leaves and side shoots below the second branch, which can effectively boost the flowering and fruit set. The yield of this hot pepper is heavy, so it requires a staking system or kind of supporting rope to keep the plant upright. Hot pepper requires a good fertilizer, and a sufficient base fertilizer and monthly side dressing is recommended.

“Excellent flavor. Crazy heat. Attractive plant. No diseases. All around a delight.”

“You can actually separate the flesh from the septum and seeds allows you to control the level of heat allowed into your culinary activities.”

“If you had a BIG pot for your deck or patio, you could grow this in a pot, but the plants were all vigorous and would quickly outgrow something you might typically consider a patio pot.”
 
This prized distinction winner will be planted at the Teaching & Display Garden at the Spooner Ag Research Station and available for your viewing this summer. Photo and additional information credit: AAS (https://all-americaselections.org/product/pepper-buffy/)

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