Growing Chili Peppers (Super Chili F1)

This page is about growing chili peppers. For our model we will be growing the Super Chili (F1)shown at the right.

Early, beautiful ornamental. Short, spreading plants, each with a multitude of upright-bearing, avg. 21/2" x 1/2", super hot peppers (up to 300/plant). Ripens from light green to orange to red. Use fresh, dried, or pickled.

Well-drained, fertile soil with abundant phosphorus and calcium is best. Sow seed in shallow flats, 4 seeds/in., 1/4" deep, in late March or about 8 weeks prior to transplanting outdoors. If possible, maintain soil temperatures 80-90°F (27-32°C).

Pepper seeds germinates very slowly in cooler soil. When the first true leaves just show, transplant 2-3" apart in flats or 2" cell-type containers. (The use of 2" or larger cells will produce larger plants with better-developed root systems.) Grow plants at approx. 70°F (21°C) day and 60°F (16°C) nights.

Exposing the seedlings to controlled cold treatments can increase the number of flowers and fruits. When the third true leaf appears, grow the plants at a minimum night temp. of 53-55°F (12-13°C) for 4 weeks. The plants should receive full sunlight.

After 4 weeks adjust temp. to 70°F (21°C) day and night. If this technique is used, peppers should be seeded 1-2 weeks earlier than usual.

Transplant out after frost when the soil is warm and weather is settled. Ideal seedlings have buds, but no open flowers. Set plants 12-18" apart in rows 24-36" apart, or 2 rows on poly/paper mulch, 18" between plants. Water-in transplants using a high phosphorus solution.

Cold weather is buffered and earliness increased by using IRT plastic mulch, especially in combination with a slitted row cover or lightweight fabric row cover supported by wire hoops.

Remove row covers when in sunny weather above 85°F (29°C) to prevent heat damage.

Control climbing cutworms with Dipel, or with paper cylinder collars. Control tarnished plant bugs, aphids, and flea beetles with rotenone or pyrethrin.

To prevent bacterial spot and phytopthora, drip irrigate only, plant only in well-drained soils, minimize soil compaction, follow a 4-year crop rotation.

Sunscald is caused by inadequate foliage. Prevent blossom end rot with adequate soil calcium and regular moisture. Big bushy plants with few peppers can be caused by an excess of nitrogen, hot or cold temp. extremes during the flowering period, tarnished plant bug injury, and choice of late, poorly-adapted varieties.

Pick the first peppers promptly when they reach full size to encourage further fruit set. Wash and hold at 45°F (7°C) and 95% humidity.

We will start our plants indoors sometime in January based on the Lunar Calendar.

Check back for updates for growing chili peppers.

03-03-2010--Due to various weather conditions I have not been able to get this started yet.

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