Scotch Bonnet Red

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Solanaceae

Order

Solanales

Genus

Capsicum

Species

annuum

Description

Belonging to the botanical genus Capsicum, which includes peppers and chillies, including ornamental varieties. It can be grown both in pots and in beds, and requires cultivation practices such as fertilisation and watering, which must be carried out appropriately and at the correct times to achieve an excellent final yield in terms of both quality and quantity. Kitchen garden varieties are, in fact, grown for food due to their fruits – known as berries – which have an unmistakable flavour and vary in shape, colour and heat. In ornamental varieties, the fruits – which come in different shades such as orange, yellow and red – make the plant particularly pleasing to the eye; as they are also often edible, they combine quality and beauty as well as practicality, placing the chilli in a category that lies between the ornamental and the horticultural.

Species video

https://youtu.be/J2dzzkDqd9Q https://youtu.be/J2dzzkDqd9Q

https://youtu.be/7p0CWyAhLes

Curiosities and special features

‘Capsicum’ is thought to derive from the Latin ‘capsa’ meaning ‘capsule’ or ‘box’, in reference to the fruits – known as berries – which are often hollow inside, whilst the term ‘peperoncino’ came into widespread use in the 20th century to refer to a small pepper and because of its similarity in heat to ‘Piper’, i.e. pepper.

Some varieties are commonly referred to as “ornamental chillies”, but this term should not be misleading, as some of them are also edible, containing a moderate amount of capsaicin, which gives them their characteristic pungent or spicy sensation.

In the English-speaking world, ornamental chilli varieties are known as ‘Christmas pepper plants’ as their fruits are often used for Christmas decorations.

Peppers, rich in fibre, minerals, vitamin A and vitamin C, are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine, both raw in salads and cooked, eaten on their own or as an ingredient in pasta, meat or fish dishes, baked, stuffed or preserved in oil; to make them easier to digest, we remove the seeds and white inner membranes, and we eat the fruits when ripe. Chilli peppers, a source of B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium, are also prized in cooking for adding a unique flavour to a wide range of dishes.

Also worth mentioning is paprika, a spice obtained by grinding sweet peppers or chillies.

Origin and distribution

According to phytogenetic research and archaeological evidence, the wild ancestor of the C. annuum species is native to Central and South America, where it was domesticated by indigenous peoples in what is now Mexico some 6,000–7,000 years ago, through the selection of cultivars differing in shape, size and level of heat of the berries, which were an important food source for many local civilisations, including the Aztecs.

It was Christopher Columbus, on his return from one of his voyages to the New World, who brought the seeds to Europe; the plant subsequently spread throughout the continent, as far as Africa and Asia.

Capsicum annuum isthe species, amongst the five belonging to the genus Capsicum, that is most widely cultivated worldwide, with numerous varieties distinguished by the shape and colour of the fruits, as well as their content of capsaicinoid alkaloids, which give them their characteristic heat, measurable on the Scoville scale. Of particular interest are the ornamental varieties, which add a unique touch to outdoor planters and flowerbeds.

Fruit

The fruit is a berry of variable shape, approximately 2 mm thick and measuring between 4 and 8 cm in length and 3 and 4 cm in width, weighing between 13 and 18 g and having a firm texture. It ripens from early summer to autumn, displaying an even colour and a wrinkled skin. From a sensory perspective, it is extremely hot, with a heat level ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 SHU, characterised by a hot flavour, an intense and pungent aroma, and a strong, fragrant taste. According to the technical assessment, this is a variety with good organoleptic characteristics which, if dried correctly, ensures a good shelf life for the product.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies by m; for some varieties, it is advisable to use stakes to prevent the plant from lodging due to the weight of the fruit.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-small form with a gamopetalous corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from spring to summer, with a flowering period of between 2 and 10 days. It is attractive to bumblebees and bees.

PH

For vegetable varieties, the ideal soil pH ranges from 5.5 to 7.0, whilst for ornamental varieties it ranges from 5.0 to 8.0.

Soil preparation

Before spring/summer transplanting, dig to a depth of 20–30 cm, removing any weeds, large stones and residues from previous crops. Then work in chemical or organic fertiliser, which will provide the necessary nutrients during the early stages of growth. Next, use a hoe to break up the denser, coarser clods of soil to ensure better distribution of the fertiliser. To prevent harmful waterlogging, create a raised bed by slightly mounding the soil and, for vegetable varieties, prepare drainage furrows. Finally, carefully level the surface and mark out the planting holes.

During the growing season, use suitable tools such as a hoe to loosen the topsoil to remove weeds from within the growing area and break up any surface crust.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a warm and relatively humid climate. The ideal temperature is between {F1} and {F2} °C. Transplant outdoors once there is no longer any risk of frost, even late frosts.

We recommend not growing the plant in extreme temperatures, but keeping it in optimal, moderate temperature and humidity conditions.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured, cool, well-drained and enriched soil; for growing in containers or pots, we recommend a specific potting mix for vegetable crops or, for ornamental varieties, a substrate for spring-flowering plants.

Intercropping/combination

Vegetable varieties can be grown in mixed cultivation with watercress, lettuce and radishes.

Combinations with other plants

To create harmonious overall effects, both in terms of colour and perspective, we can use ornamental chilli in combinations with other species such asPelargonium, Tagetes patula orwith aromatic plants such as Lavandula angustifolia.

Pruning

Harvest the fruit with clean-bladed scissors once it has reached the size and colour of full ripeness, thereby encouraging subsequent flowering and fruit set, leading to a gradual and continuous ripening process.

Propagation

Propagation can be carried out by sowing seeds in containers.

Repotting

Any potting should be carried out in spring with young seedlings.

Watering

Do not subject the plant to water stress, as this could lead to a significant drop in final yield; during the hot summer months, it is necessary to water more frequently.
A balanced moisture level in both the atmosphere and the soil helps to prevent the presence or onset of diseases that are harmful to the plant and, in some cases, to the fruit as well.

Use rainwater or, alternatively, mains water, either by hand or via an irrigation system.

Water immediately after transplanting and support the seedling to ensure proper rooting in its new location, maintaining the soil at a constant moisture level without allowing it to become waterlogged.

Thereafter, water until the soil is thoroughly saturated, taking care not to allow water to pool on the surface. Prevent periods of drought and avoid wetting the above-ground parts of the plant in the late afternoon or evening to prevent the development of fungal diseases; furthermore, always check the soil moisture level before watering.

For best results, water the plantation after harvesting the fruit.

When sowing seeds, we recommend that, after burying the seed completely and covering it with growing medium and non-woven fabric, you keep the soil moist until the seedling emerges.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

Fertilisation must be carried out regularly and in a balanced manner.

Before transplanting, work an organo-mineral fertiliser into the soil to provide a base dressing, which helps ensure the seedlings have the nutrients they need during the early stages of growth.

After transplanting, during the growing season, it is advisable to apply a water-soluble fertiliser specifically designed for vegetable plants to the growing medium or soil; this should be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate dosages and frequencies as indicated on the label of the product purchased. It is essential to ‘build up’ a well-developed plant before fruit set; otherwise, the fruit will not be shaded by the leaves and will inevitably suffer from sunscald.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Care video

https://youtu.be/_HsBuq2CkbU

Pet safety

Avoid administering the product and take into account the specific case and the type of animal.

Edibility for humans

The berries of horticultural varieties and certain ornamental varieties are edible if harvested and stored correctly.

Toxicity for humans

Peppers and chillies contain solanine, which, if ingested in excessive quantities, can cause toxicity, as can the capsaicin found in hot chillies; consider each individual case with regard to any intolerances or contraindications relating to the person’s specific condition.