| Description: |
Plants about 18 inches (45cm) tall produce long slender fruits that ripen to orange. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed monthly with a water soluble fertilizer, when the peppers start to appear fertilize every two weeks but dilute the fertilizer by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to aphids, spider mites and whitefly. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds
in the spring.
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Plant is poisonous if ingested. Do not keep around children. Never allow this plant to dry out and ensure it gets some direct sunlight every day. Repot in the winter and prune in the early spring.
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