seed-plant-vendors Where to get reliable Red Rocoto seeds?

R

Rob-B

Hello.

I wish to grow red Ají Rocoto (the regular, Peruvian type, not the long ones, et al), but most of the places I search for seeds don't seem to have very good reviews.

Do any of you have recommendations for where to get seeds or, even better, is anyone willing to share some seeds for a SASE. I'm just getting started, so I have nothing to trade.

I've also heard that Rocotos can be notoriously difficult to start from seed and I've read suggestions ranging from scoring the seeds with a razor blade to soaking them in tea to soaking them in acid. For those of you who have been successful with Rocotos, please let me know what worked for you and any other suggestions you could offer.

One last question: is it possible to buy the live plants, anywhere, for delivery?

Thank you.
 
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Rocotos aren't any more difficult to germinate than other common peppers. If you can successfully sprout peppers regularly, you shouldn't have issues sprouting rocotos. Mine have averaged about 11 days to sprout over the past two seasons and I don't give them any special treatment besides reasonable warmth.

In my opinion, Semillas la Palma is one of the best seed sellers for rocotos. Semillas delivers to the US with inexpensive shipping. It usually takes between 10 and 14 days from ordering for me to receive the seeds. The seeds grow true. Their website has a filter tool on the upper left and you can select "pubescens" from the drop down and it will show you all their rocoto varieties, currently 29. I suppose their Large Red Rocoto is a fairly basic rocoto if that's what you're after. There are many different red peruvian rocoto varieties though and rocotos from other locations that are still authentic - and very good.

I think live rocoto plants would be difficult to find.

EDIT: I reviewed the site and it does seem like they have a minimum order requirement of $25, now. My last order was in September 2024 and only $15, so this was news to me.
 
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