Growing Tips
Classifying Capsicums
Chiles are perennial sub shrubs, native to South America,
grown as annuals where freezing occurs. There are only a
couple of places in the continental US that chiles can be
grown as perennials: southern California, Florida, a very
small portion of South Texas and a small area of southern
Arizona. Chiles are not related to black pepper; however
they are a part of the large nightshade family, which
includes tomato, potato and eggplant.
There are 5 domesticated species of chiles: Capsicum
annuum which includes bells, New Mexicans, serrano’s,
jalapeños and piquins, Capsicum chinense which includes
habaneros and the infamous ‘Datil’, Capsicum frutescens, which includes Tabasco® and the original
‘Malagueta’, Capsicum baccatum, which includes the ‘Christmas Bell’ and true ajis, and Capsicum
pubescens, which includes rocotos and manzanos.
The Origin and Spread of Chiles
Chiles are believed to have originated in an area bordered by the mountains of Brazil, and Bolivia in
South America. Over thousands of years chiles ‘migrated’ out of this area with the help of birds and
natives and eventually spread across the Americas. The ancient wild chiles had small, round, erect, bright
red fruits that made them very attractive to birds, and birds are unable to feel the pungency associated
with capsaicin. It is believed this evolved in this way because a bird’s digestive system does not harm
seeds while a mammal does.
Preparing Your Garden
There is an overwhelming amount of chile pepper varieties available to the gardener. Many seed
companies claim that all varieties grow well everywhere, this is not true. New Mexican varieties grow
better in the southwest while bells and habaneros do not grow as well and grow better in other, more
humid regions.
Garden Design – Some choices for growing
chiles include:
Ridges & Furrows for hot peppers
Flat Beds
Raised Beds
Sunken Beds
Containers
One key to growing chiles successfully is adding compost; this improves workability, water-holding
capacity, drainage, and fertility.
Even under optimal conditions the germination process can be slow and irregular. Chile seeds need
warmth, oxygen, and moisture to germinate. Higher germinations rates occur between 70 & 80 degrees F,
while faster germination occurs between 90 & 100 degrees F. Soaking seeds for 2-3 days can also aid in
the speed of germination.
Fertility: Most gardeners can grow great chiles by simply adding compost and aged manure to their
existing soil conditions, of course you have to manipulate the soil if it is excessively sandy or clay. Chiles
are usually considered to be a self-pollinating crop, however, within species, will readily cross-pollinate.
If you’re planning to save seed take measures to protect your plants from cross-pollination.
Flower and fruit development, the key to flower set
is nighttime temperature, which ideally should be
between 65 and 80 degrees. Fruit set is enhanced by
increased sunlight, however fruit will not set when
night temperatures are above 86 degrees F. Some
varieties will take 130 days or more to complete
maturation. New Mexican pods ripening at
temperatures between 86 & 95 degrees F have twice
as many capsaicinoids as pods ripening between 59
& 72 degrees F.
Helpful Hints:
Select early maturing varieties.
Start seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost.
Before transplanting to a garden, “harden off” your seedlings by exposing them to outdoor temperatures
(not freezing) for increasingly longer periods of time each day.
Transplant when daytime temperatures average 70 degrees F and nighttime are around 55 degrees.
Soil pH should be 6.5 and use of a balanced fertilizer is recommended (5-10-5 or 10-10-10.) Go easy on
the Nitrogen.)
Water during dry spells, at least 2 inches a week, especially after fruit set.
Publication from the Chile Pepper Institute, New Mexico State University
©Copyright 2006, all rights reserved