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Friars Hat Chilli Pepper Seeds

Friars Hat Chilli Pepper Seeds

£1.49

Friars Hat Chilli Pepper is a distinctive Capsicum baccatum variety known for its hat-shaped fruits and unique blend of fruity, hot, and sweet flavours. Ideal for enhancing salsas and salads, this medium-heat chilli produces abundant yields on indeterminate plants that can be successfully overwintered.

Average Packet Contents: 10 Seeds

In stock

SKU: 0914JBT Categories: ,

Growing Friars Hat Chilli Pepper Seeds

Friars Hat Chilli Pepper, also known as Bishop’s Crown, is a striking Capsicum baccatum variety admired for its unique hat-shaped fruits and delightful flavour profile—a mix of fruity, hot, and sweet tastes. This medium-heat chilli, measuring around 10,000 Scoville Heat Units, is perfect for enhancing Barbadian salsas and salads.

Sowing and Germination

  • When to Sow: January to March
  • Sowing Depth: 0.5cm deep
  • Germination Temperature: 20-25°C
  • Germination Time: 7-14 days

Sow the chilli pepper seeds indoors in seed trays or small pots filled with quality seed compost. Cover lightly with compost or vermiculite and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the trays in a warm area to ensure optimal germination.

Planting and Support

  • Transplanting: After the last frost
  • Plant Spacing: 45cm apart
  • Support: Stake or cage required

Once the seedlings have developed several true leaves and the risk of frost has passed, transplant them into larger pots or directly into the ground in a sunny, sheltered spot. As an indeterminate chilli plant, it can grow over 1.5 metres tall and will need support to handle the weight of its numerous fruits.

Care and Maintenance

  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist
  • Feeding: Weekly high-potassium fertiliser after flowering begins
  • Pests and Diseases: Watch for aphids and whiteflies; treat promptly

Provide regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist. Begin feeding with a high-potassium fertiliser when flowers appear to promote fruit development. Monitor the plants for common pests and address any issues quickly to maintain plant health.

Harvesting

  • Maturity: Mid-season
  • Harvest Period: July to October
  • Fruit Size: Approximately 5cm long and 4cm wide
  • Yield: Up to 30 fruits per plant

Harvest the chilli peppers when they turn bright red and are firm to the touch. The fruits have a hot central body with sweet, mild-flavoured side wings, making them versatile for various culinary uses.

Overwintering

Friars Hat Chilli Pepper plants can be overwintered successfully, allowing them to produce fruit in the following season. Before the first frost, move the plants indoors or into a greenhouse. Reduce watering and maintain a minimum temperature of 10°C to keep the plants healthy during the winter months.

Growing Conditions

  • Position: Full sun
  • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter
  • Rate of Growth: Average
  • Hardiness: Half-hardy annual
  • Sow Indoors: January to March
  • Plant Out: After the last frost
  • Harvest: July to October

Culinary Uses

The unique flavour combination of Friars Hat Chilli Peppers makes them ideal for a variety of dishes. Use them to add a fruity heat to salsas, salads, and hot sauces. The sweet side wings and hot central body offer a balance of flavours that can elevate your culinary creations.

Weight 5 g

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