Cayenne peppers are medium-heat pepper, measuring 30,000 to 50,000 on the Scoville hotness scale.
The peppers measure 4 to 6 inches long and have a tapering shape with a curved tip.
They are most commonly a glossy red with a slightly wrinkled texture.
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They should be planted in the spring and grow reasonably quickly.
Cayenne plants are heat-loving, full-sun worshiping, frost-tender perennials commonly grown as annuals in cold climates.
Seeds can be started indoors approximately eight to 10 weeks before your areas projected last spring frost date.
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Its best if the temperature is reliably above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Selecting a Planting Site
Pick a sunny spot with well-drained soil for your peppers.
ensure they won’t be near any larger plants that will leaf out and shade them.
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Diseases that target the family can linger in the soil.
Container growth is also an option if you don’t have a suitable garden site.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Space plantsaround 1 to 2 feet apart.
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Too little sun can result in limited flower and fruit production.
Soil
Cayenne pepper plants require organically rich, moist, well-drained soil.
A slightly acidic to neutralsoil pHis best.
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More acidic soil can produce peppers that are spicier than normal.
Water
Watering cayenne pepper plants can be a delicate process.
They do require moist soil, but overwatering is a problem too.
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It cannot withstand extremes in temperatures, either heat or cold.
Temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit will result in slow growth and leaf discoloration.
You also can use an organic commercial vegetablefertilizerthats low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Too much nitrogen can promote more foliage than fruit growth.
Pollination
Cayenne pepper plants are self-pollinating, assisted by wind and insects in the garden.
They also can cross-pollinate withother pepper varieties.
Consequently, they have similar growing requirements.
But its fairly simple to tell them apart.
Cayenne peppers are usually red and narrower than the typical green, thicker jalapeno.
Cayenne peppers are about 10 times hotter than jalapenos.
Also, you could move the plant indoors if youre expecting a cold snap.
A 2-gallon to 5-gallon plastic container should be a good size for a single plant.
verify it has adequate drainage holes.
Pruning
If youre growing your cayenne pepper plant as an annual, pruning generally wont be necessary.
Just be sure to trim off any damaged or diseased stems promptly.
This will help to promote healthy, bushy new growth in the spring.
Propagating Cayenne Peppers
it’s possible for you to propagate cayenne pepper plants through stem cuttings.
The best time to take a cutting is in the late spring or early summer.
check that it is organically rich and well-draining.
Perennial plants also shouldn’t outgrow the container that fits their mature size.
Refresh its potting mix every year or two.
Prune perennials close to the ground, and cut back on water for the winter.
The soil shouldnt fully dry out but doesnt need to be consistently moist.
They includeaphids, mites, pepper hornworms, pill bugs, andleafminers.
These can be removed by spraying them with a garden hose spray or usingnatural insecticidal soap.
Cayenne peppers areeasy to growif you have suitable environmental factors for them.
Otherwise, they have a moderate difficulty level.
Closely monitor their environmental conditions, especially warmth, light, and soil moisture.
They can’t be too dry or waterlogged.
Cayenne peppers typically take around three months after planting to produce harvestable fruits.
They should continue to produce as long as the weather remains warm.
Cayenne peppers are perennial plants in warm climates.
However, most gardeners grow them as annuals and replace them with new plants each year.
Capsicum annuum (Longum group).
