Hot Pepper Cayenne

Hot Pepper Cayenne: variety and characteristics

Hot Pepper Cayenne (Capsicum annuum L.) is an annual vegetable of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). A hot pepper variety with long, thin, bright red fruits, notable for a strong spicy flavour.

Suitable for fresh eating, drying and making chilli powder.

The plant is productive and suitable for growing both in the garden and in larger pots.

Hot peppers are indispensable for pickles, drying, relishes and hot sauces. The plants are compact and fruit abundantly until the first frost.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 82%
• Seeds per packet: 11–15 pcs (0.1 g)
• Seed origin: India
• Sowing: March and April; seedlings
• Harvest: August – December
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Hot Pepper Cayenne

Hot Pepper Cayenne seeds are sown in March and April. Harvest in August – December. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Hot Pepper Cayenne

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 40–50 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 25–28 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow the seeds indoors from February to April in a light, sterile seedling compost. Sow the seeds about 0.5–1 cm deep and cover lightly with compost. Keep the temperature at 22–25°C until germination and provide good light once the seedlings emerge. Keep the soil moderately moist, never waterlogged. When the plants have 4–6 leaves, pot them on into larger containers or plant them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed. Harden off the seedlings gradually before moving them outside.

Peppers love warmth — plant outdoors only when the soil is above 15 °C. Water moderately and feed with potassium at flowering; a slightly stressed plant gives hotter fruits.

Harvest and use

Peppers can be picked green or at full ripeness (red, yellow) — the riper they are, the hotter and more aromatic.

Frequently asked questions

When should Hot Pepper Cayenne be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 11–15 seeds, pack size 0.1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 82%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why do hot pepper seeds germinate slowly?

They need warmth — at 25–28 °C they germinate in 10–14 days, and in cooler conditions it can take 3–4 weeks. Use a warm spot or a heated propagator mat.

Can hot peppers be grown in a pot?

Yes — most varieties do very well in a 8–10 litre container on a sunny balcony.