hili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) Seeds- Heirloom, Organically Grown and Hand Harvest ! used to make a spicy condiment in Puerto Rico called pique.
This pepper is so attractive it can stand on it’s own as an ornamental potted plant or garden accent. As the fruit develops it may turn a range of colors from green to gold and orange until finally maturing to a deep red. The peppers are spicy hot and are often used to flavor sauces or salsa.
Uses
Excellent for flavoring a variety of dishes. Great for adding a zesty kick to homemade salsa or chili. Preserve by canning, drying, or freezing. Wash fruits, vegetables and herbs thoroughly
before eating.
Plant Details
Ají caballero (Capsicum frutescens) (gentleman’s pepper in English) is used to make a spicy condiment in Puerto Rico called pique. The word pique does not exist in Spanish. It could be that this name comes from the Spanish verb picar, which can be used to refer to spicy (hot) food, eg. esta comida pica, or esta comida está picante = this food is hot. Hot peppers are traditionally not used in Puerto Rican cuisine; however, many restaurants will have a bottle of pique on the table.
Bloom Time: Summer
Height Range: 2-4' (0.6-1.2m)
Space Range: 18-24" (46-61cm)
Temperature Range: 30° to 40°F (-1° to 4°C)
Plant Light: Full Sun
Companion Plants: Marjoram, Tomato, Marigold
Green Thumb Tip!
Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm.
Pepper varieties come from tropical humid regions. The temperature, moisture, and air circulation all play a role in growing plants from seeds. Too little heat, too much moisture, and lack of air circulation will cause poor results. Do not use jiffy peat pots, plugs, or potting soil as the soil becomes too dry or too wet, which can lead to disease and fungus.We have experienced disease and low germination when using these types of products. Use Organic Seed Starting Material for best germination results.
Growing Peppers:
Peppers, like tomatoes, grow in well-drained fertile soil. Almost all peppers have the same requirements for successful growth. Plant them in good, well-drained, fertile soil – and make sure they get lots of sunlight and a good inch of water per week. In many ways, they mimic the same requirements needed for growing great tomatoes.
At Planting Time:
We plant all of our peppers with a good shovel full of compost in the planting hole, and then give them a good dose of compost tea every few weeks for the first 6 weeks of growth. We also mulch around each of our pepper plants with a good 1 to 2″ thick layer of compost.
Peppers often like to take their sweet time germinating. They can be up in a week, and some will take almost a month. Even with paper towel germination testing, they can take long. I am not sure why, but it is a normal occurrence. So plan and make sure you start them early enough! Also, remember they like heat to germinate so make sure you have a heating mat or something to keep the soil warm. Placing them up on top of the fridge often works too since it is normally warmer up there.
Peppers do very well grown in pots.
