Heirloom. The loveliest fruits and plants and the hottest of all the chiles. The Habanero Hot Pepper can be successfully grown in our climate although yields will be higher in areas with a longer growing season. Also called Scotch Bonnet. The fruits are a beautiful, deep orange when mature, do indeed resemble a tam in shape. Here, plants are only a little over 1 high and the light green, serrated leaves are very attractive. Yields of green peppers run about 10 per plant with a few of these turning orange. Peppers are pretty good-sized 1 1/2 x 3.

20 seeds

PLANTING

Caspsicum chinense

Germination:10-14 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 75-85F. Cooler soil temperaturesslowgermination time.

Seed Sowing Depth: deep

Starting Indoors:8-10 weeks before the last frost. Sow in flats/cells/pots. Provide 75-85Fsoil temperatures. Fertilize the seedlings every 7-10 days with a liquid or water-soluble fertilizer (diluted to of suggested measurement). Transplant seedlings 18-24 apart after the last frost.

Sowing Outdoors:Not recommended, especially in northern areas

How much does a packet plant:20-25 foot single row

Harvest:Use a sharp instrument to cut the peppers from the plant. Pick the first fruits when they reach usable size, this helps accelerate the growth of the other peppers on the plant. Leave some peppers on the plant to mature so they can change color and sweeten up.

Tips:Pinch offearly flowers or tiny fruit on any seedlings before placing them in the ground. The Habanero Hot Pepper should be planted in fertile soil and amended with compostif needed. It helps to use row cover early in the season, giving the plants extra warmth, especially in the north. Side dress when flowers begin to form.