Capsicum Jalapeno pepper plants produce chillies between 5 and 10cm. Peppers are generally harvested when green but the colours can vary at maturity. Jalapenos can mature to green, yellow, orange or red. Although Jalapeno peppers are usually consumed when green.
The plants prefer warmer conditions where temperatures reach between 20 and 30 °C. They don’t tolerate frost very well.
The Scoville rating for Jalapeno peppers is between 2 000 and 8 000 Scoville units. Jalapenos are a milder variety and less hot compared to the Serrano or Cayenne pepper.
Difficulty: Easy
Soil: Peppers prefer rich, well composted, loamy soil with good drainage.
Sowing: Spring/Summer
Germination: 14-21 days
Days to maturity: 80-100 days
Position: Full sun
Spacing: 50×50 cm
Sow Depth: 5 mm
Height: 60-100 cm
Watering: Once or twice a week is a good start and allow water to drain thoroughly. However, water needs can vary depending on weather conditions and growth stage. Water more frequently during warmer times. Do not overwater pepper plants.
Growing Notes:
There are various ways to germinate seeds. You can use the moist paper towel method, germinate in trays indoors or sow directly in pots. However, it is a good idea to start seeds indoors in small pots or germination trays. Keep the medium moist during germination and if you can maintain a warm consistent temperature it will be beneficial. You can soak seeds for about 2 hours to soften the seeds. It is common to soak seeds in a weak Hydrogen peroxide or weak chamomile tea solution. Do not sow seeds too deep. Be patient as some hotter varieties can take weeks to germinate. After seeds sprout and a few leaves have formed, you can start to transplant and move outdoors when temperatures become warmer. Peppers love rich soil, so adding compost to the garden or potting mix is highly recommended.
Uses:
Jalapeno peppers are of the milder pepper varieties and are great for stuffing. They have become famous in bars and restaurants for the Jalapeno popper. These are stuffed Jalapeno peppers, usually with cheese, and deep fried in a batter. Sometimes even wrapped in bacon before fried. Often served with guacamole and cream cheese.
Other uses include salsas, sauces, and chutneys. Jalapeno peppers are also great for pickling and often baked in bread.
Origin:
The Jalapeno pepper (Capsicum annuum) originates from Mexico. The name Jalapeno (Spanish) literally means “from Xalapa” which is a city in Mexico where Jalapenos were originally cultivated.
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