Pensacola News Journal

For: Saturday, March 23, 2002

By: Daniel E. Mullins

Extension Horticulture Agent

Santa Rosa County

Grow Peppers for Ornamental and Food Value

Hot peppers are one of the most versatile of vegetables. They are doubly rewarding because they jazz up the landscape with color and spice up many foods. They can be grown in the traditional vegetable garden, incorporated into landscape plantings or used as decorative container plants for porches and patios.

All of the hot peppers are extremely decorative and colorful. Following are some attractive varieties: Poinsettia, Bellingrath Gardens, Korean Hot, Little Dickens, Thai Hot, Jingle Bells, Little Dipper, Numex Sunset, Firecracker and Fiesta. This is by no means a complete list. Check with your local garden center and browse catalogs for other choices.

The relative “hotness” of the various pepper species and varieties is a favorite topic among pepper growers. The amount of pungency or hotness is based on the capsaicin content. This can now be objectively measured as Scoville Units. Technically, it is measured as Relative Scoville Rating (RSR), with one part per million of capsaicin being equal to 15 Scoville Units.

Hot peppers range from slightly to extremely pungent. The Delicias and Picante Jalapenos register only about 500 RSR, while the Mitla jalapeno has a rating of 4,000 to 6,000. Cherry Bomb registers 2,500 to 5,000 and Papri King, a paprika only reaches about 1,000.

The habanero pepper is so hot that it is in a class by itself with Relative Scoville Ratings ranging from 200,000 to 300,000. This is approximately 40 to 50 times hotter than the hottest jalapeno. One university pepper publication, in its description of habenaro, includes the note: “be careful.” The Scotch Bonnet pepper is similar to habanero, and is about as hot.

Pepper Growing Tips

• Start plants from seed in containers or purchase container grown transplants.

• Plant only after soil and air temperatures have warmed up and become more stable. Peppers can be stunted and damaged by low temperatures.

• Select a planting site that receives a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day. Full, direct sun is even better.

• Try several different varieties. For eating purposes, perhaps one or two plants of each will be sufficient. When planting for a mass of color, set plants 12 to 18 inches apart.

• Keep in mind that most of the ornamental peppers are extremely hot, resulting in danger for children with average curiosity. Hot peppers should not be placed along patios, near doorways, or in other areas accessible to small children.

Question of the Week: I have noticed some mole cricket tunnels in my yard. When is the best time to treat for control?

Answer: Any mole cricket activity seen at this time of year is the result of over-wintering adults. The application of control measures at this time of year is usually not recommended. Years of study have revealed that the best time to treat for mole cricket control is during mid to late June in North Florida. At that time, all of the young for the year are present in a more vulnerable stage. Later treatments are not as effective.

Please watch for an article dealing with mole cricket control. There are some newly recommended products on the market that will be discussed.