Peppers, Chili, Chilli or Chile are the common names of genus Capsicum. Now it is generally established that Capsicum consists of five domesticated and twenty-three wild species. Annuum, Baccatum, Chinense, Frutescens and Pubescens are the five domesticated species of Chilies. In Pakistan, only two species annum and frutescens are known and most of the cultivated varieties belong to the species Capsicum annum.
ClimateHot peppers grow best in 13 to 28 oC, no fruit sets above 37 oC. Sowing should be adjusted as per temperature prevailing in that area.
Planting Site
Hot Pepper plants should be grown in full sun, needs more than 6 hours of sunlight a day. Optimum soil pH is 6.0 to 7.0
Province-wise nursery sowing and transplanting times
| Province | Nursery sowing time | Transplanting time | Harvesting time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Plains | October | February | May to August |
| February/March | April/May | July to October | |
| March/April | July to December | ||
| Sindh | December | Last week of January | April to August |
| January/ February | March/April | August to November | |
| June/July | July/August | November/December | |
| September/ October | October/ November | February to April | |
| KPK | November | February/March | June to November |
| Baluchistan Plains | October to February | February/April | August to November |
| Hilly Areas | April | May/June | September to December |
| December | Last week of January | From April to August |
Seedling should be transplanted on ridges, the distance b/w ridges is 24 to 30 inch while b/w plants 15 to 18 inch. Ridges height should be 6 to 7 inch. Transplant seedlings in the evening.
World Hottest Peppers
Hot peppers contain substances called Capsaicinoids, which determine exactly how “hot” a chili pepper can actually be. BHUT JOLOKIA (Ghost chilli), 7 POD, TRINIDAD SCORPION, RED SAVINA & NAGA MORICH are some world hottest chilies. Most hottest chilies belongs to Chinense specie or hybrid of Chinense.