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Description
Biquinho Red peppers grow on highly ornamental plants that form a canopy of dangling fruits above stems just 50cm (20") tall. They look amazing in containers. Named for the "little beak" or pointed tip, these mildly hot chilies originated in Brazil. They can be enjoyed raw or cooked, but they are ideal for pickling. Each fruit is just over one inch long, very round, with that distinctive pointed tip. We recommend growing with some protection in most regions to ripen these late maturing peppers. 500 to 1000 SHUs.
| Latin Name |
Capsicum annuum, C. baccatum, and C. chinense |
| Difficulty |
Moderately difficult |
| Exposure | Full-sun |
| Sprouting | 10-21 days |
| Matures | 100 days |
| Starting |
Sow indoors 5mm-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Keep soil as warm as possible. Seedling heating mats speed germination. Try to keep seedlings at 18-24°C (64-75°F) in the day, and 16-18°C (61-64°F) at night. Before they become root-bound, transplant them into 8cm (3″) pots. For greatest possible flower set, try to keep them for 4 weeks at night, about 12°C (55°F). Then transplant them into 15cm (6″) pots, bringing them into a warm room at night, about 21°C (70°F). |
| Growing |
Soil should have abundant phosphorus and calcium, so add lime and compost to the bed at least three weeks prior to transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Though peppers will tolerate dry soil, they will only put on good growth if kept moist. Harden off before planting out 30-60cm (12-24″) apart. Five gallon containers also work well, but require good drainage and regular irrigation. Using plastic mulch with a cloche can increase the temperature by a few degrees. Pinch back growing tips to encourage leaf production. This helps shade the developing fruits and prevents sun-scald in hot summers. |
| Germination Rate | 65% |
| Seed Life | 2 years |
Highly ornamental
Works well in containers
