Chiltepin Seed

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Description

Sometimes known as 'Tepin', 'Bird's Eye' or 'Bird Peppers' these grow wild in Mexico and Southern America - in essence, this is the mother of all Chillies!

These can prove a little difficult to germinate (unless the seed has been through a bird's digestive system) - but certainly not impossible. A little extra warmth and a little more patience is usually all that is needed. In the first year they produce a straggly but bushy plant - and it is rare to see fruit in the first year as well so for UK growers these will need to be over-wintered, frost-free, and grown as a perennial.

When they do set fruit they produce small, green, marble-like fruits, " (1 cm) in diameter that mature to a deep red. They have a fiery heat, but in the mouth it is not long-lasting - so this is more like a quick kick rather than a long burn. Traditionally they are harvested by breaking off whole branches from the plant and hanging them to dry before use - but picked and used as a conventional 'ripe' chilli they are a valuable plant for the kitchen, and for the garden too.

The plant itself grows to around 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) tall with a spread of around 3 feet (90 cm). As we have said, growth in the first year can be quite lax - however, by pruning back by about two thirds each winter the following year's growth will prove far stronger.

To ensure good germination a constant compost temperature of 82° - 86° f (28° - 30° C) is recommended. Germination can be slow and take three weeks or more.

• Origin: Mexico.
• Heat: Extremely Hot - approximately 50,000-100,000 SHUs.

How Hot Is That?...Chilli Pepper Heat Guide

Pricing

1 = £2.95

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10 = £2.75

add 10 to Trug

20 = £2.50

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Qty:

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How To...

How To Sow & Grow Chilli Pepper & Sweet Peppers
Detailed advice on sowing and growing chilli peppers and sweet peppers - both inside and outside.

How To Videos

How To Grow Chillies & Sweet Peppers - Part 1 (Video)
An instructional video by Stephen on the basics of caring for chillies and sweet peppers in the first few months.

How To Grow Chillies & Sweet Peppers - Part 2 (Video)
An instructional video by Stephen on the basics of caring for chillies and sweet peppers as the season progresses.

How To Sow & Transplant Chilli Peppers, Sweet Peppers & Aubergines (Video)
An instructional video by Stephen explaining how to sow and then transplant chilli and sweet peppers. The same technique can also be used for aubergines.

General Information

A Note About Our Seed Packets & Seed Counts
Information on Victoriana's method of packeting seed, including information on the seed packets. Also details on Victoriana's seed guarantee.

Chilli Pepper & Sweet Pepper Heat Guide
A guide to the heat levels of sweet peppers and chilli peppers - from the cool to the volcanic. Also details on how Chilli Pepper heat levels are measured.

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