pubescens Capsicum pubescens seedling's ideal conditions ?

E

Englander

Hi Guy's

I stumbled into Capsicum pubescens aka Rocotos/Locoto's kind of by accident here in the UK I've never heard or seen of fresh peppers being available ?? Possibly some swanky places in big cities but even then I doubt it.

My main interest is superhots that must be greenhouse grown here in Scotland here is how I stumbled into Rocotos as I saw them as a free bonus chilli pepper that could possibly even survive outside in Scottish summer ! 🫣

I've not been that bothered and put little effort into growing them, infact my first outdoor trial was a sort of survival of the fittest as I pretty much ignored them to find the most robust.

2025 see's me trialling more of these remarkable addictive chillies however I still spend little effort on them unlike my superhots.

However I'd like to hone my capsicum pubescens skill's from my limited experience I've found germination harder or rather a lower percentage germination 🤔

Although I've read that they may like lower germination temperatures than chinense etc and may infact do better on the window sill in a small pot rather than a heated propergater 🤔

Personally I've noticed that young capsicum pubescens seedling don't seem as happy under my old DIY reptile grow light and more recently my big sexy LED proper grow light as my annuum and chinense seedlings 🤔 I've often found that moving them further away or to a cooler window sill seemed to improve there appearance when they were obviously not happy before.

I was reading today on the Hippy seed company website that Rocotos are resilient to temperatures ranging from 4 oC to 21oC

Recently I've noticed "as usual" my Rocotos aren't as happy as my other varieties and I've moved them outside to the unheated greenhouse under my fleece tent temperatures have been ranging from -1.5 oC to 31oC but mostly 4 oC to 12 oC I'd have to say my Rocoto's seem happier..............🤔

I would be very interested in hearing from any experience Capsicum pubescens enthusiasts on ideal conditions and temperatures for Capsicum pubescens seedlings..........

Stephen
 
They grow very well under t8 and t5 fluorescent lighting. I do nothing special for them indoors and tent temps are 26C high and 17C low. Everything the same as other domesticated species except further away from the light source. Usually they will flower faster than C.Chinense from my experience.

I would not suggest having any seedlings or young plant outside below 0C.
 
Englander said:
Hi Guy's

I stumbled into Capsicum pubescens aka Rocotos/Locoto's kind of by accident here in the UK I've never heard or seen of fresh peppers being available ?? Possibly some swanky places in big cities but even then I doubt it.

My main interest is superhots that must be greenhouse grown here in Scotland here is how I stumbled into Rocotos as I saw them as a free bonus chilli pepper that could possibly even survive outside in Scottish summer ! 🫣

I've not been that bothered and put little effort into growing them, infact my first outdoor trial was a sort of survival of the fittest as I pretty much ignored them to find the most robust.

2025 see's me trialling more of these remarkable addictive chillies however I still spend little effort on them unlike my superhots.

However I'd like to hone my capsicum pubescens skill's from my limited experience I've found germination harder or rather a lower percentage germination 🤔

Although I've read that they may like lower germination temperatures than chinense etc and may infact do better on the window sill in a small pot rather than a heated propergater 🤔

Personally I've noticed that young capsicum pubescens seedling don't seem as happy under my old DIY reptile grow light and more recently my big sexy LED proper grow light as my annuum and chinense seedlings 🤔 I've often found that moving them further away or to a cooler window sill seemed to improve there appearance when they were obviously not happy before.

I was reading today on the Hippy seed company website that Rocotos are resilient to temperatures ranging from 4 oC to 21oC

Recently I've noticed "as usual" my Rocotos aren't as happy as my other varieties and I've moved them outside to the unheated greenhouse under my fleece tent temperatures have been ranging from -1.5 oC to 31oC but mostly 4 oC to 12 oC I'd have to say my Rocoto's seem happier..............🤔

I would be very interested in hearing from any experience Capsicum pubescens enthusiasts on ideal conditions and temperatures for Capsicum pubescens seedlings..........

Stephen
Click to expand...
They definitely don't like the same conditions as superhots. You are right they like cooler temperatures, perfect for the UK. Although they can survive lower temperatures, it doesn't mean they prefer them. They don't like freezing temperatures so I'd be carefull when the temperature drops below 3-4C I reckon. Its hard frosts that will kill them. The light frost in the mornings, they have a chance of surviving.
It's best to start Rocotos early, I suggest they need to be ready for final pots late April / early May.
As you have already found out, get them outside before everything else. First into the greenhouse whilst it's empty. As you start filling the greenhouse up with other varieties, its time to move them outside. In the UK, they can take full sun as we don't get that much. If we get a heat wave they generally don't set pods until it cools back down. They do need protecting from wind. The pods can get quite large and heavy and branches easily snap.
 
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