How to Grow Carolina Reaper Chili Peppers
In this short post, you will learn how to grow peppers. More specifically, you will learn how to grow Carolina Reaper chili peppers.
One of the Worlds Hottest Chili – the Carolina Reaper
As you already may know, is the Carolina Reaper is the world’s hottest chili pepper. But what you don’t know, perhaps, how strong it is or who made it. Before getting into how to grow Carolina Reaper chili peppers, we are going to dig a little deeper into who the creator of the Carolina Reaper’s is, and general information about the World’s strongest chili, also known as the Carolina Reaper.
In recent years, a lot has happened in the chili growing community, there are many people who cross up their chili variants.
The Carolina Reaper
Now, before going into the short guide on how to grow Carolina Reapers we are going to answer some questions about this pepper:
The Carolina Reaper was grown in the Rock Hill, South Carolina, by Ed “Smokin” Currie, who also runs the PuckerButt Pepper Company.
The Carolina Reaper is a cross between a Pakistani Naga and a Red Habanero and has the name Reaper come from, the shape of the tail chili to the fruit.
The Carolina Reaper is, as of this writing, one of the hottest chilies in the world, with its 1.569.300 SHU, but the individual fruits have been measured at over 2,000,000 SHU!
This can be compared to pepper spray, which is between 2,000,000 and 5,300,000 SHUU.
Many people who grow these hot-chili farmers grow it mainly for the looks, like me. But of course, the uses of Carolina Reapers are, as with all chili peppers; chili powders, chili sauces, in stews, and so on.
If you need more inspiration on what to do with your Carolina Reapers, see the post thirteen best uses of chili peppers.
How to Cultivate a Carolina Reaper Plant
In this section, we are going to go through some of the things you need to think of when growing Carolina Reaper chilies. More information on cultivating chili peppers: how to grow peppers indoors and outdoors.
Fill a small pot with soil
If you are going to grow the Carolina Reapers indoors (or in greenhouses) you need to get a pot and fill it with soil. Now, it’s a bit important to start with a smaller pot and then gradually re-plant the chili plant in a larger pot.
The soil should be prepared and one of the best soils for chili peppers is mixed with tomato soil. If you really are interested in germinating the seeds learn about the best way to germinate chili seeds.
Water the soil
The next step is to get the soil moist. Important, here, is that you don’t get the soil all wet. When watering the soil, and your chili plant, make sure your water the right amount and the right time.
Put the Seed in the Soil
Now, you are ready to plant the Carolina Reaper seed. Put it about 0.5cm (about 0.2 inches) deep in the soil and cover it with soil.
Keep Track of the Temperature
Now, the Carolina Reaper will like temperature, in the soil. between 24 and 31 Celsius.
Keep the Soil Moist
It is important to keep the soil moist until the Carolina Reaper seeds germinate. Note, it will take over 2 weeks (and up till a couple of months) for the Carolina Reaper seeds to germinate.
Give the Carolina Reaper Light
Now, when the plant has germinated, make sure you give the plant some light. Either sunlight or using grow light.
Repot the Plant in Larger Pots
As the Carolina Reaper plant is growing, re-plant the plants in larger pots.
Fertilize Sparingly
Fertilize your Carolina Reaper plants sparingly. They don’t need that much fertilizer or nutrition.
Pollinate your Carolina Reaper
Now, if you’re growing your Carolina Reapers indoors, you may want to pollinate the flowers. This can be done by shaking the plants, gently, or using a small brush and brush the flowers.
