Ghost Pepper

Ghost Pepper Care

Ghost Pepper

Other names: Capsicum Chinense X Capsicum Frutescens

What is the plant

Ripe peppers measure 60 to 85 mm (2.4 to 3.3 in) long and 25 to 30 mm (1.0 to 1.2 in) wide with a red, yellow, orange, or chocolate color. The unselected strain of ghost peppers from India is an extremely variable plant, with a wide range in fruit sizes and fruit production per plant, and offers huge potential for developing much better strains through selection in the future. Ghost pepper pods are unique among peppers because of their characteristic shape and very thin skin. However, the red fruit variety has two different types: the rough, dented fruit and the smooth fruit. The rough fruit plants are taller, with more fragile branches, while the smooth fruit plants yield more fruit and is a compact with sturdier branches. It takes about 7–12 days to germinate at 32–38 °C.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

min 21°C

Hardiness zone

8 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
As a good rule of thumb, wait for the top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering ghost pepper plants. Adjust the frequency as needed to fit the conditions to maintain a regular schedule. Inconsistent watering can shock the plants.
Pruning
If timed correctly, proper pruning encourages strong sturdy stems, good branching, reduced disease and pest pressure, fruits that ripen quickly and evenly, and for many pepper varieties, it also results in improved yields. While pruning peppers isn't 100% necessary, it can improve the health of the plant.
Fertilizer
Fertilize ghost pepper plants immediately after planting, and then twice more throughout the growing season, using a balanced fertilizer. Although it may be tempting, do not fertilize ghost pepper plants more often than that, as they are very sensitive to over-feeding.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
After germination, your ghost pepper plants need light. Using a grow lamp
Soil
Soil requirements: They do best in loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 6.8. Space requirements: When transplanting, place each ghost pepper seedling between 24 and 36 inches away from other plants. Water requirements: Soil should be kept moist but not muddy.
Temperature
Ghost pepper plants are extremely particular about their temperature and humidity conditions. They must have a growing season of longer than three months, in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with high humidity. Four to five months of extreme heat and humidity is ideal.

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Container
If you choose to grow your peppers in a greenhouse or indoors, you can use containers provided they have good drainage.
Additional
Yes, you could die from ingesting ghost peppers. In fact, researchers have determined a 150-pound (68-kilogram) person would need to eat 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) of dried and powdered capsaicin-rich peppers like the ghost pepper to die. The ghost pepper (aka the Bhut Jolokia) is one of the hottest pepper in the world, topping over 1 Million Scoville Heat Units. Learn more about it. The ghost pepper (aka the Bhut Jolokia) is one of the hottest pepper in the world, topping over 1 Million SHU (Scoville Heat Units).
Popularity
647 people already have this plant 91 people have added this plant to their wishlists