The Chile Pepper, Part I - March 31, 1999
Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County


Chile peppers are perennial shrubs native to South America and are members of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant. Many folks prefer milder bell peppers to hot chiles. I am partial to chile-type peppers myself, but I'll try not to bias this column too much. I realize that some folks are just naturally wimpy.

Cultural practices are identical for both chiles and sweet peppers. The garden space should be in full sun, although a little bit of afternoon shade will work well also. In really hot areas, the intense afternoon sun can burn the fruit. Soils should be well-drained and loamy (not heavy clays) and neutral to slightly basic (pH 7-7.5). Adding organic matter, such as aged manure or compost, to the soil is always a good practice for all garden crops. In addition, a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer will get the plants off to a good start and a good dose of phosphorus fertilizer will help them develop a substantial root system.

In the tropics, chile plants get as high as eighteen feet. Here, they are frost sensitive, so they are usually grown as annuals. Starting them in greenhouses or bright windows works well and gives you an early start. Another alternative is to visit your local nursery and buy pony packs of started plants. You can find many common varieties for sale at nurseries, but real afficionados usually won't find the exotic varieties being grown as starts. For the Verde Valley, seed starting dates are February 15-March 30 and planting dates for started plants are May 10-June 1. Watch for cutworms on newly planted seedlings. These pests chop down plants at the soil surface. They can be discouraged by placing collars cut from a plastic cup around the stems of young plants.

Mulching with newspapers will help conserve moisture and lower the temperature of the garden in the heat of the summer. To set fruit, chiles require daytime temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees F and night temperatures above 55 degrees F. This means flowering and subsequent fruit set can be stifled during the hottest months of summer. The best crops are usually produced in late summer and fall when it cools down.

Proper irrigation is critical in chiles. Chiles can be irrigated either by furrows or drip system as long as the water can soak in deeply. Underwatering causes blossom end rot. Here, the chiles are growing faster than the xylem (water conducting tissue) can supply water. The apex of the pod dies back slightly then recovers when watered. The result is a brown spot on the end of the fruit.

Proper irrigation is critical in chiles. Chiles can be irrigated either by furrows or drip system as long as the water can soak in deeply. Underwatering causes blossom end rot. Here, the chiles are growing faster than the xylem (water conducting tissue) can supply water. The apex of the pod dies back slightly then recovers when watered. The result is a brown spot on the end of the fruit.

Chiles have many pests: whitefly, aphid, beetles, hoppers, miners, mites, scale, and worms. Most of these can be controlled by using a hot chile spray (a good reason to grow habaneros). Make your own organic insecticide by mixing 8 ounces of chiles, an onion, a head of garlic, a tablespoon of liquid soap, and three tablespoons of pyrethrum powder in a blender with two cups of water. Strain through a cheesecloth and dilute 50:50 with water. Spray on upper and lower leaf surfaces every two days and watch for results. Even if it didn't work, you had fun doing it. If you are less industrious, mix one tablespoon of liquid soap with one gallon of water. It's not as much fun but should work almost as well.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on vegetable gardening and composting. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 or E-mail us at mgardener@kachina.net and be sure to include your address and phone number.

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Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr. #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Last Updated: March 15, 2001
Content Questions/Comments: jschalau@ag.arizona.edu
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