Some Compost Component Questions

I added the third bucket of kitchen wastes to my small compost pile today.  A couple of questions arose from DW that I couldn't answer; so I'm turning to the experts here.

1)  Is pineapple citrus?  Of course it doesn't grow on trees like oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes; but I was not certain if it should be included in our kitchen waste for the compost bin.  What say ye?

2)  We let some jalapeños reside in the bottom of the crisper for too long and they got a bit mushy.  I was going to add them to the bucket for compost when DW asked if the seeds in them might not start growing in compost.  I don't know.  From things I've read over the years, a hot compost is said to kill seeds, but I don't know how hot the compost must be.  As for the jalapeños germinating, I can't see any downside.  What say ye?

3)  The jalapeño issue brought up another question.  I recall - vaguely - reading about organic pesticides that relied on soap, water and pepper to kill insects.  I was thinking maybe I should blend the rotting jalapeños and put the liquid in a jar in the spare reefer (refrigerator) for use later in making a bug spray.  Good idea or bad idea and why?

TIA 

Wow, Rabbit, you brought up some interesting specific questions. I can't wait to see what others reply.

#2 The only seeds that survive my hit and miss hot composting are tomato seeds. None of the bells or hot peppers survived. Just my experience.

rabbithutch wrote:I added the third bucket of kitchen wastes to my small compost pile today.  A couple of questions arose from DW that I couldn't answer; so I'm turning to the experts here.

1)  Is pineapple citrus?  Of course it doesn't grow on trees like oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes; but I was not certain if it should be included in our kitchen waste for the compost bin.  What say ye?

No, pineapple is not citrus.
http://www.ask.com/answers/83086241/is-pineapple-a-citrus-fruit
Yes you can compost it.

rabbithutch wrote:2)  We let some jalapeños reside in the bottom of the crisper for too long and they got a bit mushy.  I was going to add them to the bucket for compost when DW asked if the seeds in them might not start growing in compost.  I don't know.  From things I've read over the years, a hot compost is said to kill seeds, but I don't know how hot the compost must be.  As for the jalapeños germinating, I can't see any downside.  What say ye?

The peppers may or may not sprout. If they do, dig up the free plant and put it in the garden or turn it back into the compost pile and it will rot with everything else.

rabbithutch wrote:3)  The jalapeño issue brought up another question.  I recall - vaguely - reading about organic pesticides that relied on soap, water and pepper to kill insects.  I was thinking maybe I should blend the rotting jalapeños and put the liquid in a jar in the spare reefer (refrigerator) for use later in making a bug spray.  Good idea or bad idea and why?

TIA 

You could give it a whirl, but my guess is if you are not going to use it within a short amount of time it will just rot in the jar and then you can pour it back into the compost pile.

Those were great questions!  

Thanks for the timely responses.

The jalapeños went into the compost pile but we tossed the pineapple.  We will know for next time.  I doubt that the jalapeños will germinate because they were in such bad shape when they came out of the fridge.

I hope you are happy with your answers, rabbithutch. I am.    I like answers that reinforce what I think I know.

I throw everything into the compost pile except meat, fat, dog or cat poo, no ashes.