Experience the intense heat of the Carolina Reaper, the hottest pepper on record, with West Coast Seeds' Carolina Reaper Peppers. Averaging 1.5 million Scoville Heat Units (SHUs) and peaking at 2.2 million SHUs, these small, gnarled, and bumpy peppers mature from green to fire engine red and feature a distinctive pointed tip known as "the stinger." Ideal for warmer climates or heated greenhouses, the Carolina Reaper can be grown as a perennial. Take extreme caution when handling the seeds and fruits.
Key Features:
- Extreme Heat: Averages 1.5 million SHUs, peaking at 2.2 million SHUs.
- Distinctive Appearance: Gnarled, bumpy peppers with a pointed tip.
- Challenging to Grow: Requires patience and specific conditions.
- Open-Pollinated Seeds: Reliable and true to type.
- Matures in 120 Days: Long growing season.
Growing Instructions:
- Difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Season: Warm season
- Exposure: Full sun
- Timing: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Grow under bright lights and transplant outdoors only when night temperatures are consistently above 12°C (55°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-21 days with soil temperature at 25-29°C (78-85°F).
Starting:
Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½") deep in warm soil. Use seedling heating mats to speed germination. Maintain daytime temperatures at 18-24°C (64-75°F) and nighttime temperatures at 16-18°C (61-64°F). Transplant seedlings into 8cm (3") pots before they become root-bound. For optimal flower set, keep at 12°C (55°F) for 4 weeks, then transplant into 15cm (6") pots and move to a warm room at night.
Growing Conditions:
Ensure soil is rich in phosphorus and calcium by adding lime and compost at least three weeks before transplanting. Mix ½ cup of balanced organic fertilizer beneath each plant. Keep soil moist but well-drained. Harden off seedlings before planting out 30-60cm (12-24") apart. Five-gallon containers with good drainage work well. Use plastic mulch and a cloche to increase temperature. Pinch back growing tips to promote leaf production, shading fruits from sun-scald.
Harvesting:
Harvest when fruit is firm and reaches the desired size. Sweetness increases as the fruit ripens. Picking young/green peppers encourages more fruit production. For late-season peppers, pull out the entire bush before the first frost and hang it upside down in a warm, dry place to ripen.
Seed Info:
In optimal conditions, at least 65% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life is 2 years.
Diseases & Pests:
Prevent rot and wilt by planting in well-drained soils and rotating crops every 4 years. Use paper collars at the base to prevent cutworms. To prevent Tobacco Mosaic Virus, wash hands after handling tobacco. Control aphids to reduce disease spread.
Companion Planting:
Ideal companions include asparagus, basil, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, oregano, parsley, rosemary, squash, Swiss chard, and tomatoes. Avoid planting near beans, Brassicas, or fennel.
Grow your own Carolina Reaper peppers with West Coast Seeds and experience the fiery heat and unique flavor. Perfect for adventurous gardeners and spice enthusiasts, these peppers are a thrilling addition to your garden.
