Capsicum annum
Family: Solanaceae

Most hot chillies are pungent varieties of Capsicum autumn. Tropical American in origin, they grow on small, shrubby, annual plants that produce white flowers in the leaf axils. The flowers are followed by the fruits which come in a great variety of sizes and shapes. Most have red flesh at maturity. Cayenne pepper is made from the powdered dried fruits. The long, red cayenne types are slender, growing to around 12 cm (5 in) in length, while the very hot, small, red cayenne grows to only 6 cm (2½ in) on a much smaller plant. There are other varieties and the mature fruits of some are very hot indeed. Hot weather produces hotter chillies that become even hotter and sweeter as they ripen, the seeds being hotter than the flesh. Capsicum frutescens, tabasco, originates from tropical South America but today it is widely cultivated throughout much of India and Southeast Asia. It is a perennial but is normally grown as an annual. The name 'tabasco' comes from a southern Mexican town and this species is best known as the manufactured tabasco sauce made from matured chillies. The plant is very similar to that of C. annuum but the fruits are held on upward-pointing stalks. Cultivation is the same as for other Capsicum species.

Cultivation

Chillies are grown as summer annuals, either in an intermediate greenhouse if summers are cool, or outdoors in areas with warm or hot summers, planting out when danger of frost is over. Sow seeds in mid-spring in seed trays or pots and germinate them in a temperature of 20°C (68°F). Pot seedlings individually into small pots and eventually plant them 45-60 cm (18-24 in) apart in a soil border, or pot into 25 cm (10 in) pots. Pinch out young plants to encourage bushiness. 'Autumn varieties may need staking. Water moderately, and in summer feed with tomato fertilizer once every two weeks. Provide a humid atmosphere under glass. The fruit is picked when fully coloured, either for fresh use or for drying.

Climate

Zone 10, but it is possible to grow chillies in all climates as summer annuals.