Tabasco Pepper – MIg

Description

Tabasco Pepper is a classic heirloom chili variety famous for its slender, upright fruits and distinctive bright red color when fully ripe. The peppers have a sharp, tangy heat with a fruity flavor and are best known for making hot sauce, but are also excellent for salsas, marinades, pickling, chili pastes, and spicy dishes. This vigorous, productive plant thrives in warm conditions and performs particularly well in the UAE during the cooler parts of the warm growing season.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors in August.
• Outdoors: Transplant seedlings in early October, when temperatures begin to cool.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 7–21 days.
• Spacing: Space plants 45–60 cm apart, with 60–90 cm between rows.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and fruit development. Allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings.
• Feeding: Apply compost before planting and feed with a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks. Increase potassium during flowering and fruiting to encourage abundant pepper production.
• Harvest: Fruits are typically ready approximately 80–100 days after transplanting. They can be harvested green or left to mature to their characteristic bright red color for a sweeter, more developed flavor.
• Harvesting Tips: Pick peppers regularly once they reach the desired color and size to encourage continued fruit production. Use clean scissors or pruners when harvesting.