Bert Swope
If you love spicy food, then you will surely want to learn how to grow Thai hot peppers. These peppers are very potent and look like bright red flowers. Thai hot peppers can grow to about 3/4” and contain high pungency levels. If you are new to gardening, you should know that these peppers require minimum care. To grow this pepper, follow these simple steps:
Plant from seed
To grow Thai chili peppers, it is important to choose the right place to plant them. Depending on the climate, these peppers can grow between 100 to 130 days. However, in cooler climates, they can be started indoors eight weeks before the last frost. Plant your Thai chili peppers in a well-draining seed starting medium for the best results. For this, you can use good quality potting soil or peat moss or vermiculite.
Before planting, you should test the soil for pH. The pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.0. You should also add calcium nitrate fertilizer to your soil, which should be applied four inches away from the pepper plant. For best results, you should add a few tablespoons of lime or apple cider vinegar to the soil before planting your Thai pepper seeds. Once the soil has the right pH level, you can start planting Thai hot peppers.
When planting your pepper seeds, remember that hot peppers take longer to sprout than other peppers. In fact, some varieties of Thai dragon pepper can take as long as six weeks to sprout. However, if you are patient, they will sprout and bear fruit. If you plant them right, you will be rewarded with 200 peppers per plant! You can also grow them as Christmas potted plants. These peppers make great ornaments and will decorate your home for the holidays.
Fertilize
To maximize the fruit production of Thai hot peppers, you need to fertilize them. Fertilize pepper seeds 1-2 weeks after they sprout. You can apply commercial fertilizer as soon as they start sprouting, but dilute it to 50 percent. Keep your plant moist, and avoid adding too much fertilizer to avoid over-watering. Potting mix and compost are great alternatives to commercial fertilizers because they contain all the nutrients peppers need.
To increase the productivity of your plants, it is advisable to use a fertilizer with high nitrogen content for the first four months. Fertilizers with this ratio are called 3-1-4. The nitrogen will help the plant grow well, while phosphorus and potassium will help it develop roots and support flowering and fruit formation. A seaweed extract will also help with root development. The right fertilizer for peppers will positively impact crop yield and quality.
You can use a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer. This is a concentrated form of compost containing vitamins, minerals, and beneficial microbes. You can use this mixture as foliar spray or water for your pepper plants. Mix a cup of compost and five gallons of water. Once brewed, mix the ingredients into a mixture and apply it to your pepper plants. Fertilize your pepper plants regularly for optimal results.
Harvest
When the Thai hot pepper ripens, it is time to harvest the fruit. These peppers are a deep red and are extremely hot. You should harvest them using pruners or a sharp knife. Do not pull the fruit off the plant; pulling them will break the stem or branch. Fewer branches mean more peppers. In addition, you should water the peppers well so they do not wilt.
Unlike bell peppers, Thai peppers are open-pollinated. When harvested early, they are about an inch in diameter and have a bright red color. When picked at this stage, they are at their peak heat and have the full sweet-tangy flavor of their skin. Afterward, they will have firm flesh, but the seeds will be bitter. Picking them too early can lead to softening of the plant.
After the peppers ripen, you can use them fresh or dry them. They can be used as decoration or for cooking. Drying them can be done with a dehydrator or in a cold oven on a low setting. Once dried, store them in airtight containers. Just make sure to wear gloves when handling them! If you are unsure of how to harvest Thai hot peppers, contact with your eyes is not advisable.
Store
If you are looking for a convenient way to keep Thai hot peppers on hand, you may have wondered how to store them. Fortunately, there are many ways to store peppers, and Thai chili peppers are no exception. Dried peppers can be stored for up to a year. This spice can be used in omelets, salad dressings, and even in condiments. They can also be ground into a powder for added heat and flavor.
For your convenience, you can also purchase dried peppers. These 3.5-ounce peppers are perfect for emergencies. They keep well, and provide a lot of heat for your dishes. Regardless of whether you buy fresh peppers or dried, you can easily store them in your pantry. A convenient option is to freeze them in their jars for later use. However, if you’re not quite ready to use them within a day, consider storing them in a refrigerator for up to six months.
Pests
The first step in growing Thai peppers is to find a suitable location. The right climate will determine the pepper’s success. You’ll need a place that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. The soil should be well-drained but not completely dry, to keep the pepper plant healthy. A good all-purpose granular or balanced liquid fertilizer is ideal. Keep the soil moist but not dry, as the Thai dragon peppers need about a month to germinate. Water your plants at least twice a day, preferably a little more.
Once you’ve chosen the location for your Thai pepper plant, you’ll need to ensure that it has the correct pH level. If you’re unsure how acidic the soil is, you can purchase a soil test kit at a garden center or home improvement store. Keep the soil moist but not so wet, and fertilize every two weeks. Be aware that Thai pepper plants are prone to various pests. Some of them are aphids, cutworms, and flea beetles.
Diseases
Some pests and diseases can devastate the Thai hot pepper industry, and pest control is an important part of any Thai hot pepper production process. Some pests and diseases are caused by poor plant care and are preventable, such as fungus. The following list will outline common pest and disease problems that can affect Thai hot peppers. You should also avoid certain types of Thai hot peppers and common pests and diseases that can damage your crops.
The first study aims to determine whether a certain type of hot pepper has the potential to cause an outbreak of Salmonella. The second study aims to assess the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and STEC in hot peppers. The outbreak has been linked to imported Thai hot peppers and the food industry has responded by shutting down production lines. Regardless, many consumers are at risk, and the food supply chain should be monitored closely to avoid further outbreaks.
Transplant into larger pots
To transplant pepper plants into larger pots, they should be grown in containers that are at least two-thirds full of potting soil or compost. Plants need ample space to grow and flourish, so a five gallon pot is usually the right size. However, this type of plant needs extra care and watering to grow well. Use a water-repellent spray or boil some water to flush the soil. To plant pepper seedlings, gently tip them upside down, loosening the soil around the pot’s edge. Plant the peppers in larger pots and gently add soil around the roots. If they are rootbound, open the root ball using your fingers. A little watering before planting will also make it easier to open the rootball.
Transplant Thai hot peppers into larger pot sizes once the seedlings are six to eight inches tall and have buds, but no open flowers. Plants should be hardened off to 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit before being transplanted into the ground. When transplanting them, place them two to three feet apart in a pot large enough to accommodate the peppers’ root ball and enough soil to support the roots.
Remove the first set of flowers
If you want to get a crop of tasty Thai peppers quickly, you’ll want to remove the first set of flowers. If you don’t want to remove the first set of flowers, there are several ways to prevent them. In the Northern Hemisphere, the pepper plants mature in mid to late-July. To keep the plants productive, apply a 3-pack fertilizer like Fox Farm Grow Big. If the plants don’t respond to the fertilizer, you can remove them or switch to a lower-nitrogen one.
Once you’ve removed the first set of flowers, you’ll want to make sure the plants are strong and have more leaves than before. This will allow the pepper plants to use light and shade incoming fruit. As the pepper plants grow, they’ll need fertilizer containing mostly nitrogen, so use a fertilizer based on liquid fish once a month. Leave some space around the base of the stem to prevent new shoots from sprouting.
