Pepper, Thai Hot

   Thai Hot Pepper

Heirloom. Organic. Originally from Thailand, this seriously hot pepper makes a lovely impression in a patio container. The ornamental 8-12" plants are bedecked with up to 200 small, conical 1/2 -1" fruits that ripen to bright red. Extremely hot, the peppers can be used fresh or preserved in oil or vinegar. Harvest about 85 days from transplant. Very hot red pepper with thin skin, two to three inches long, and skinny. These are used extensively in Oriental cooking. They are easily dried due to their thin skin. Just pull the entire plant up before frost and hang upside down to dry. Makes beautiful wreaths and ristras. The Thai Hot pepper fruit are borne upright on the plants and ripen from green to red fairly quickly once they reach full size. A popular item for Asian dishes.

   

Planting Thai Hot  Pepper

While starting seeds of the Thai Hot Pepper is not necessarily difficult, the right conditions will make the process successful. Sow Thai Hot Pepper seeds directly in the ground in the spring when the threat of frost has passed or start in containers several weeks before transplanting into soil. Keep the ground moist but not wet for the first couple of weeks. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot for planting for the best performance. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position.  Thai Hot  Peppers are splendid for growing up stakes or a cage. They will tip from the weight of the peppers, but you can support with stakes and twine. Thai Hot Pepper plants need regular watering and grow well in heat. Height: 2-3 feet   Days to harvest—85 Days

Spacing: 24-36" inches Depth: 1/4  inch Germination: 10-20 days

Starting from Seed Indoors

Generally, the time to start your seeds is about 4- 6 weeks before the last expected spring frost date in your area, planting the seedlings outdoors about 2 weeks after that date. Another way to figure is to plan on setting out sturdy seedlings in the garden when night temperatures stay in the mid-50 degree range both day and night. Count back and sow seeds 4 to 6 weeks before that date normally arrives. Place a few seeds (5 to 10) into each pot and push them into the soil with your finger. Cover the seeds to a depth of approximately 1/4 inches of the potting mix. Mist each  pot with water until the soil appears moist. Place the pots in an area which will provide both light (which is required for germination) and heat, preferably about 65 to 70 degrees F and at least 8 hours of light each day. Check on the seeds every day and keep the seeds damp but not drenched by misting with your plant mister. You should see sprouting in about 10-20 days. Once your seedlings have reached about 4 to 6 inches in height, choose an area in your garden to transfer them. You can also use containers like barrels or clay pots. Dig holes twice the width and depth of each of your pots. Fill up each hole with water then let it drain off. Place a pot in the hole center and level so that your seedling is at the same level as the surrounding soil. Push dirt in carefully all the way to fill the hole back up. Water each seedling carefully so as not to soak the leaves or stem.

Direct-seeding into the Garden

Turn over the area you've selected to a depth of approximately 1/2 inches. Rake the area until it's level and smooth. Water the area until the soil is damp but not saturated. Scatter the seeds in the area (or in rows). Gently rake the area to distribute the seeds further and protect them from birds. Or, press the seeds into the soil and cover with no more than 1/4 inches of soil. You can also place 2 to 3 seeds every 3 to 4 inches in rows approximately 12-18 inches apart, and cover seeds with 1/4 inches of soil. Place planting stakes around the area so you will know where to water. Check on your seeds about once a day. Make sure to mist the soil whenever it appears dry. Germination for Thai Hot Pepper plants is approximately 10 to 20 days, depending on the warmth of the soil.   

Germination Problems

Growing plants from seeds successfully depends on a lot of factors and this makes it impossible to guarantee success on every batch of seeds planted.  Factors include, soil composition, PH, temperature, moisture levels, seed depth, soil density, seed viability, seed storage and many others.  We tested the germination of all our seeds and this seed variety is around 80%, but your results may vary based on exactly how you plant and all the environmental factors.  Good luck.