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Capsicum annuum var. annuum (Longum Group)
Chili Peppers are among the strongest flavorings added to cooking. These fiery Peppers are ornamental as well as useful and make decorative pot plants.
Cayenne, Chili, Long, or Red Pepper--a Pepper with many names
The Cayenne Pepper got its name from the city of Cayenne in French Guiana. The plant originally comes from Central and South America and was discovered and brought back to Europe by the Spanish.
Today, this Pepper is grown throughout the world. It is especially valued in tropical regions, where the pulverized fruit is used as an ingredient in curry. It is, also, often used to give a feeling of warmth to the body in periods of cold weather. However, people not accustomed to frequent consumption of Chili Peppers, may find them too hot for their liking!
Indian Pepper Archaeological diggings at Ancon, Huata, and Prieta in South America have revealed that various types of Capsicum were grown several hundreds of years before Europeans discovered America. It spread from there to Mexico where, today, the modern varieties are grown in large numbers. The strong "Indian Pepper" was quite a handy discovery for the Spanish and the Portuguese. The seeds store well so it was easy to transport them all over the world and plant them in other tropical and subtropical areas.
Small garden shrub The Chili Pepper is a small, semi-woody shrub with short-stemmed leaves and white flowers. The size and shape of the peppers may vary, but they are typically long, pointed and green, turning to red when ripe. A few types have green or yellow mature fruits.
The plant itself can be anywhere between 1-4 feet tall and is often pinched out to promote bushy growth.
Growing Chili Peppers
early spring. They will germinate quickly in small peat pots with bottom heat and good humidity. A miniature propagating "greenhouse" over a radiator is excellent. The plants can later be moved outside to a regular green- house or grown in pots on balconies and patios through the summer.
As soon as the first true leaves appear, the seedlings should be pricked out to larger pots with a good, well- drained potting soil. Pinch the seedlings out, as soon as they have grown their first 3-5 pairs of leaves, so the plant will develop a bushy growth from the beginning.
The plants should be watered regularly, but the soil should not remain constantly saturated. Add fertilizer to the water every 2 weeks throughout the warm months of the year.
Overwintering Chili Peppers growing outside in areas with cold winters should be brought inside sometime in the fall. They should overwinter in a cool and frost-free location and be watered only sparingly. No feeding. The plants should be cut back in early spring and watering and feeding started up again after repotting the plants in fresh soil.
Plant Doctor
Aphids are fairly common, but they can usually be removed with a spray from a garden hose.
Spider mites can be a problem, if plants are kept too warm and dry in winter. It may be possible to save the plant by spraying, but it is often easiest to sow new ones.
Gray mold may occur in cold, damp summer conditions. The Chili Pepper comes from a warm climate and should be provided with a sheltered yet sunny position. Treat with fungicide if symptoms appear, again, only if the Peppers are not to be eaten.
NOTE: Pesticides not used according to label directions can be harmful to man, animals and plants. Use only pesticides that have labels with directions for home and garden use. Always read and follow label directions.
Buying Tips
Small plants are usually available in stores in spring, but it is also easy to buy and sow seed.
Lifespan: Perennial semi-woody shrub often grown as an annual.
Season: Summer, when the plant blooms and sets fruit.
Difficulty quotient: Easy, as long as it's provided with sufficient warmth to set fruit. Fruit set may be poor in areas with cool summers.
In Brief
Size and growth rate Chili Pepper is a semi-woody shrub. The dark green oval leaves grow on stalks. They are smooth and rather soft. Fast growing.
Flowering and fragrance The flowers will appear 3-4 months after sowing. They are usually whitish-green, but can also be bluish or pale mauve. They are about 1/2 inch across and not very obtrusive. They are followed by the more decorative Pepper fruits. No special fragrance.
Light and temperature Chili Pepper thrives indoors in bright light and warm temperatures from the time of sowing until it can be transferred to a greenhouse or put outside for the summer. It needs cool, bright, frost-free conditions in winter.
Watering and feeding Water regularly and add fertilizer to the water every 2 weeks. The soil may be allowed to dry a little before watering again. Water overwintering plants sparingly and do not feed.
Soil and transplanting A good, well-drained potting soil is best. Overwintered plants should be repotted in spring.
Grooming Overwintered plants should be cut back in spring, when they are repotted.
Propagating By seed sown in spring.
Environment A very decorative plant when in fruit, and pretty in a large tub on a patio or sun porch. |
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Chili Peppers are easiest to grow from seeds sown in 
