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Heat Up Your Container Garden With Hot Peppers
by
Ryan Henry
Hot peppers seem to be a favorite among many gardeners – almost as popular as tomatoes and with fans just as dedicated. Each year gardeners try to outdo each other by growing the hottest pepper in the world, or at least on their block. These blisteringly hot creations can make pepper spray seem tame. Whether you’re looking for something as hot as the sun or just a little heat to add to your food, hot peppers are just the thing.
Unlike many vegetables, peppers often do better in containers than in the ground. The reason is because peppers like warm soil, and a container sitting in the sun can heat up pretty quickly. You can use your pepper containers to block the sun from plants that don’t like warm soil to keep everyone happy. Some temperature extremes can cause problems for peppers. They like temperatures of at least 70F but not over 90F during the day and above 60F at night to set flowers (note – the soil temperature is more important than the air temperature, so if your temperatures are a little high or low you’ll probably be fine). If the temperatures get too far out of that range they may drop their blossoms until the temperatures get back into their comfort range.
Pretty much any hot pepper will do well in a container. Some or the most popular hot peppers that work well in containers are habaneros, jalapenos, cayenne, Thai Dragon and Hungarian hot wax. They can be started from seed or purchased from your local nursery. If starting from seed I recommended not using peat pellets or peat pots as these can cause problems and keep the roots too wet. Many people have had good luck with peat, but the results seem pretty mixed. If you can keep the seeds warm with a heat mat or by keeping them near a radiator they will sprout more quickly.
Peppers like a light, quick draining soil. Make sure your pots have plenty of drainage and a suitable potting soil or mix. If you want to make your own, a popular recipe calls for 5 parts orchid bark (actually made from softwood trees, usually fir), 1 part potting mix, 1 part perlite and a tablespoon of dolomitic garden lime. This will provide quick drainage and the right pH for your peppers. Even with quick draining soil, be careful not to over-water your peppers. Consistency is the key, as inconsistent watering can cause blossom end rot and other problems.
You’ll want some fairly large containers to grow your peppers. For varieties that grow no more than 12 inches tall you can get away with a two gallon pot. For larger peppers a five to ten gallon container is recommended. If you have an even larger space you can plant more than one pepper, but make sure you don’t over-crowd them, they like their space.
Peppers may or may not need some form of support, depending on the variety, size and how productive they are. Use your best judgment in deciding what to use and when. Most people prefer stakes and only support the main stem, but cages and other techniques can work better in some situations.
You can keep your peppers producing all season by harvesting the fruits as they get to eatable size. Harvest them by cutting the stem rather than pulling the peppers off. If you let the peppers sit on the plant too long the plant will figure its work is done for the year and not make any more peppers.
Speaking of harvesting peppers, there are some precautions to take when growing and handling hot peppers. I suggest wearing disposable rubber gloves when harvesting, or at least make sure you wash your hands VERY well after handling. Either way be very careful not to touch your eyes after touching peppers. Be careful with children and pets around hot peppers. People and animals brushing against hot peppers can transfer capsaicin (the ingredient in peppers that makes them burn) to their skin or clothing, which can cause a burning rash or can be accidentally transfered to their eyes, which is a very unpleasant thing (trust me on this one!).
Hot peppers are a great way to add visual appeal to a garden with their colors and shapes. I hope you’ll give some a try!
Ryan Henry grew up gardening with his parents and has been addicted ever since. He runs the web site http://urbangardengrowing.com with tips and information for people interested in container gardening.
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Heat Up Your Container Garden With Hot Peppers