Aconcagua Pepper (Heirloom, 75 Days)

Argentinian Heirloom. This very large pepper plant is named after a mountain in Argentina where it originated. Plants can grow close to 3 feet in height and probably need to be supported as the fruit set is very heavy. Fruit can come close to a foot in length and ripen from green to orange to red. They have great flavor for fresh use at any stage of maturity and are great for roasting when fully mature. 

20 seeds  

PLANTING

Caspsicum annuum

Germination: 10-14 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 75-85ºF. Cooler soil temperatures slows germination time.

Seed Sowing Depth: ¼” deep

Starting Indoors:  8-10 weeks before last frost. Sow in flats/cells/pots. Provide 75-85ºF soil temperatures. Fertilize the seedlings every 7-10 days with a liquid or water soluble fertilizer (diluted to ¼ of suggested measurement). Transplant seedlings 18-24” apart after last frost.

Sowing Outdoors: Not recommended, especially in northern areas

How much does a packet plant: 20-25 foot single row  

Harvest: Use a sharp instrument to cut the peppers from the plant. Pick the first fruits when they reach usable size, this helps accelerate the growth of the other peppers on the plant. Leave some peppers on the plant to mature so they can change color and sweeten up.

Tips: Pinch-off early flowers or tiny fruit on any seedlings before placing them in the ground. Plant in fertile soil, amend with composted if needed. It helps to use row cover early in the season, giving the plants extra warmth, especially in the north. Side dress when flowers begin to form.