Grower Facts Capsicum Pepper Chilly Chili, Medusa, Sangria
(Capsicum annuum)

Germination
Cover seed lightly. Germination takes 5-7 days.

Plug Production
Plug Tray Size
Ornamental peppers are well-suited to 288-cell or larger plugs.

Stage 1 (Radicle emergence/5 to 7 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 72 to 76°F (22 to 24° C).
-Keep medium evenly moist but not saturated (level 4).
-Cover the seed lightly with coarse vermiculite.
-Light is not necessary for germination until radicle emergence.
-Maintain soil pH at 5.5 to 5.8 and soluble salts (EC) at less than 0.5 mmhos/cm (using 2:1 extraction).
-Keep ammonium levels less than 10 ppm.

Stage 2 (Stem and cotyledon emergence/7 to 10 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24° C).
-Allow the medium to dry out slightly (level 3)before watering for best germination and rooting.
-Provide light levels up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux) for the remainder of plug production.
-Begin fertilizing at rate 1 (less than 100 ppm N/less than 0.7 mS/cm EC) from 14-0-14 or a calcium/ potassium nitrate feed once cotyledons are fully expanded.
-Alternate feed with clear water.

Stage 3 (Growth and development of true leaves/10 to 14 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24° C).
-Avoid wilt.
-Increase feed to rate 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC) from 14-0-14 or other calcium /
potassium nitrate fertilizer. Fertilize every 2 to 3 irrigations.
-Chemical growth regulators cannot be used on peppers.

Stage 4 (Plants ready for transplanting or shipping/7 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 68 to 70°F (20 to 21° C).
-Provide medium soil moisture and avoid wilt.
-Maintain soil pH at 5.5 to 5.8 and soluble salts (EC) at less than 0.75 mmhos/cm.
-Continue to fertilize with 100 to 175 ppm N from 14-0-14 or calcium/potassium nitrate feed as needed.

Growing On to Finish
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a medium initial nutrient charge and a pH of 5.5 to 6.3.

Temperature
Nights: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Days: 68 to 80°F (20 to 26°C)
Peppers will be damaged by temperatures below 45°F (7°C). They prefer the warmest growing temperatures possible.

Light
Provide light levels as high as possible. Peppers prefer high light with warm temperatures.

Fertilization
-Fertilize at every other irrigation with 20-10-20 at rate 3 (175 to 225 ppm N/1.2 to 1.5 mS/cm EC).
-Maintain medium electrical conductivity around 1.0 mmhos/cm (using 1:2 extraction).

Controlling Height
-Sangria, Medusa and Chilly Chili ornamental peppers produce a naturally dwarf, compact plant.
-We do not recommend the use of chemical plant growth regulators on ornamental peppers, and in many parts of the world, use of these chemicals is prohibited on these plants.
Container Size
1801 pack: 1 plug per cell
4 to 4.5-in (10 to 11-cm) pot: 1 plug per pot
6-in. (15-cm) pot: 1 to 3 plugs per pot
1 gallon (18-cm) pot: 1 to 3 plugs per pot

Note: Medusa is not recommended for production in 6-in. (15-cm) and larger containers.

Crop Schedule (Spring Production)
Plug stage: 4 to 5 weeks
Transplant to flower: 8 to 12 weeks
Flower to fruit: 4 to 6 weeks
Total crop time: 16 to 22 weeks

Note: Crop time for mature fruit will be 4 to 5 weeks shorter during Summer production.
Post Production Care
-Once the peppers have formed, night temperatures of 60 to 65°F (15 to 18°C), and day temperatures of 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) are optimal.
-Avoid shipping Sangria, Medusa and Chilly Chili plants in closed boxes. Due to the high fruit count,ethylene can build up in the boxes, causing the foliage to drop. If boxing is necessary, do not close boxes until just before loading onto trucks. Recommend that your customer unbox the plants immediately upon arrival.
-Ornamental peppers prefer full sun; however, partial shade may be beneficial during retail display

Green Thumb Tips
Tips for Landscapers and Gardeners
Location: Full sun

Garden Height:
Medusa: 6 to 8 in. (15 to 20 cm)
Chilly Chili: 9 to 10 in. (23 to 25 cm)
Sangria: 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)

Garden Spread:
Medusa: 4 to 6 in. (10 to 15 cm)
Chilly Chili: 13 to 14 in. (33 to 35 cm)
Sangria: 16 to 18 in. (40 to 45 cm)