Growing jalapeno peppers can be done by starting them from seed or by purchasing from a nursery. Of all the hot pepper varieties, jalapeno peppers are most popular. The seeds are named after their place of origin in Mexico and are one of the most important cash crops in this country. Hotness of these peppers lies anywhere between 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville units. For comparison, the heat index of common sweet green peppers is zero, while the hottest peppers measure around 300,000 Scoville units or more.
Steps to Growing Jalapeño Peppers
Begin growing jalapeno seeds indoors in pots or in a propagator by January. Use sterilized potting soil to fill the containers about 3/4 full, drop one to three seeds in and cover them with a light layer of soil. Allow plenty of air ventilation to prevent fungal rot. It generally takes between 3 to 5 weeks to germinate chili pepper seeds.
The seedlings should be exposed to light for up to 16 hours a day; therefore, place them in an area that receives indirect sunlight from a window. If you don’t have a good spot, build a frame and hang grow lights positioned 2 to 4 inches above the plants, or purchase a fluorescent growing light setup.
Replant seedlings in larger pots after they have at least four leaves to ensure that they have enough room to continue to grow. After two more weeks and after the last potential frost, you can move the jalapeno plants outside and place them in 2 gallon containers, or plant them directly in the ground 16 to 18 inches apart.
Outdoor Jalapeno Plants
Outdoor plants should get at least 6 full hours of sunlight each day. Jalapeno peppers grown in temperatures between 80F to 90F degrees yield maximum fruit. A standard 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer can be used to feed plants, but take care not to use too much so that you do not burn the plant. Further, organic matter, such as manure, is ideal for giving peppers the boost they need to thrive and for preventing weeds. Lastly, jalapeno plants do well with an inch of water each week, but don’t let the soil become too waterlogged because this is detrimental to the health of the plant. Watering peppers is tricky due to peppers being subject to damping off, but you can use a moisture meter or try the bottom-watering technique to make this task easier. Depending on the variety, the size of the peppers varies from 2 to 3.5 inches and the color of the fruit is typically red or green during ripening.
Handling Jalapeno Peppers
These peppers may irritate the skin because of their capsaicin content. While cooking, consider wearing latex gloves, or else keep the dish soap nearby!
Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out the "Grow Your Own Jalapenos and Super Hot Peppers in Containers" e-book for detailed, step-by-step instructions that explain how to grow all of your favorite chillies from beginning to end.
