Capsicum Serrano pepper plants produce chillies between 3 and 9cm. Peppers are generally harvested when green and the colours can vary at maturity. Ripe Serrano peppers can be green, red, yellow or brown. However, their common colour is green.
The plants prefer warmer conditions where temperatures reach between 20 and 30 °C. They don’t tolerate frost well.
The Scoville rating for Serrano peppers is between 10 000 and 25 000 Scoville units. Serrano peppers are notably hotter than the Jalapeno peppers, making them great for salsas.
Soil: Peppers prefer rich, well composted, loamy soil with good drainage.
Sowing: Spring/Summer
Germination: 10 – 15 days
Days to maturity: 70 – 100 days
Position: Full sun, at least 6 hours.
Spacing: 40 x 45 cm
Sow Depth: 5 mm
Height: 50 to 150 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:
Serrano peppers have a spicy kick, notably hotter than the Jalapeno. They are great fresh, in salsas, as garnish and in sauces. They are also great when roasted.
Origin:
The Serrano Pepper (Capsicum annuum) originates from the mountain regions of the Mexican sates Puebla and Hidalgo. The name Serrano is reference to the mountain range in the northeast region of Mexico, called serrias or Sierra Madre Oriental.
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