Image by dmourati via Flickr

Hot peppers are distinguished from sweet peppers simply by their pungency or hotness of flavor. There are thousands of hot pepper varieties in the world. (This is the case because peppers easily cross pollinate to generate new kinds.)
The hotness of a pepper is determined by number of blisterlike sacs of capsaicinoids on the interior wall of the pepper. Capsaicinoids are organic chemicals. The more sacs of capsaicinoids the hotter the pepper.

Hot peppers go by several names. Most ordinaryly hot peppers are called chili peppers in the
United states. ‘
Chile’ is Spanish for pepper. In Mexicochile dulce is a sweet pepper, chile jalapeño is a jalapeño pepper. When the name chile first came to the United states it was used to mean varyent kinds of peppers in varyent parts of the country. In time, the spelling “chile” was eventually corrupted to “chili” and the term came to be ordinaryly used to describe any pepper that was hot flavored.
Here’s how to get growing hot peppers:

About hot peppers

Hot peppers are tender perennials that are grown as annuals. Peppers grow on compact erect bushes typically 1½ to 2 feet tall, but they can grow taller. The fruit follows a single flower growing in the angle between the leaf and the stem. Hot peppers–as well called chili peppers–vary in shape and color and include the bell-shaped pepper, the heart-shaped pimiento, the short and long podded yellow wax, the conical-shaped jalapeño, and the cayenne. Because peppers easily cross-pollinate there are thousands of varyent hot peppers. Hot peppers vary in hotness or pungency. The hotness of a pepper is determined by the number of blisterlike sacs of capsaicinoids (organic chemicals) on the interior wall of the pepper. The more sacs the greater the hotness of the pepper.

Crop

Plant 5 to 6 hot pepper plants per household member. Determine how you plan to use the hot peppers and plant varieties regular to the hotness of the pepper desired. A single serrano pepper plant will generate 50 fruits.

Where to plant

Grow peppers in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) in soil that is rich in organic matter, moisture retentive but well draining. Peppers prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8. If the pH is below 6.0 add limestone to the soil; if the pH is on top of 8.0 add peat moss to lower the pH. A protected bet is to always work aged garden compost into beds prior to planting. The optimal soil temperature for peppers is 65°F or warmer. Choose a site protected from wind. Avoid planting in beds where other members of the Solanaceae family (peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes) have recently grown. Some peppers such as Jalapeño, cayenne, and mirasol prefer arid regions; others such as habanero, Scotch bonnet and datil prefer humid regions.

Planting time

Hot peppers grow best in daytime air temperatures 65° to 80°F and night temperatures on top of 55°F (nighttime temperatures between 60° and 70° are best). Peppers are most easily grown from transplants. Start seed indoors 7 to 10 weeks before the date you intend to set peppers into the garden. Peppers can be seeded in the garden or transplanted out 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost in spring after the soil temperature has risen to at least 65°F. In temperatures greater than 85°F, peppers may drop their blossoms Even though set fruit will ripen. The thoughtl temperature for hot peppers is a daytime temperature around 75°F and a nighttime temperature around 62°F. Generally, you can set out peppers at the same time you set tomatoes or basil into the garden.

Planting and spacing

Sow hot pepper seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, 18 to 24 inches apart depending upon the variety. Space rows 24 to 36 inches apart. Sow three seeds to each spot and thin to the two most successful seedlings. Peppers can be transplanted into the garden when they are 4 to 6 inches tall.

Keep peppers evenly moist but not wet particularly when blossoms appear and fruit begin to form. Soil that goes too dry can result in flower drop. Keep the soil evenly moist just after transplanting peppers to the garden; avoid under or over watering peppers timely on. Add aged compost to planting beds before planting and again at midseason.
Once hot pepper plants are established you can vary the watering. Hot peppers that are deprived of water and become slightly stressed will generate more pungent fruit.

Companion plants

Beets, garlic, onions, parsnips, radishes.

Tips for growing peppers

Keep planting beds well weeded to avoid competition. Peppers are shallow-rooted, so cultivate around peppers with care. Mulch to keep soil temperature and moisture even.

Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers which will create large leafy plants with few or no fruits. High temperatures and wind can cause flowers to drop and plants not to set fruit.

Plastic mulch can recover pepper yields. organic compost mulches will reduce weeding and watering, but not fruit yields.

Hot peppers can put out shoots that become leggy. Cut these shoots back to keep the plant compact.

Peppers are pollinated by bees. Peppers will begin to flower almost as soon as the plant forms branches.

Container peppers growing

Peppers can be grown in a large container. An 8-inch pot will accommodate a single plant. In larger containers, set plants on 12 inch centers. Peppers can be grown indoors. Peppers started indoors before the last frost in spring will get a head start on the season. expand the season in the fall by moving plants indoors if frost threatens or if temperatures warm to greater than 90°F. Bring outdoor started peppers inside for a few hours a day at first until they get used to the lower light offered indoors.

Pests control

Peppers can be attacked by aphids, cutworms, flea beetles, and hornworms. Discourage cutworms by placing a collar around each transplant at the time of planting; hand pick hornworms off of plants. Flea beetles and aphids can be partially controlled by hosing them off the plants and pinching out infested foliage.

Common diseases

Peppers are susceptible to rot, blossom end rot, anthracnose, tobacco mosaic virus, bacterial spot, and mildew.

Plant disease-resistant varieties. Keep the garden clean and free of weeds where pests and ailment can shelter. Remove infected plants before disease can stretch. If you smoke, wash your hands before working with the plants to avoid stretching tobacco mosaic virus.

Harvest

Hot peppers are ready for harvest in 60 to 95 days after sowing depending upon the variety. Most hot peppers mature from green to red as the seeds inside mature. Green hot peppers are not ripe, Even though some people prefer the flavor of green hot peppers. Red peppers are ripe and have a fruitier flavor. The hottest chili peppers are typically orange colored. Cut the peppers off the vine. Pulling a pepper away from the plant may cause the plant to come out of the soil. To expand the harvest, cut peppers from the plant regularly; a hot pepper harvest can last from one to three months.

Hot peppers contain organic chemicals called capsaicinoids which can burn the skin and eyes. Wear rubber gloves when harvesting hot peppers and be careful not to rub your eyes. The best antidote for burning skin to to rub them with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

You can find great variety of vegetable seed visiting site:

VEGETABLE SEEDS

Outdoor living

Brought to you by

garden stool at Beso.com