- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
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Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 65 days from transplanting
Family: Solanaceae, Nightshade family, includes tomatoes, potatoes, petunias, nicotiana, Chinese lantern, and eggplant.
Type: Under 5000 Scoville Units, Chile Pepper (Learn more)
Native: Americas
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial grown as an annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 18"‒36" tall, 12"‒24" wide
Variety Info: 4 ½" long, 1 ½" wide at the shoulder tapering to a rounded tip; peppers start out dark green turning to red if left to mature on the plant. Red jalapeños are slightly sweeter and spicier. The popular chipotle pepper is a dried, smoked, red jalapeño. 'Megatron' is a medium-hot pepper at 2,500-2,500 Scoville heat units. Pepper heat varies depending on growing conditions.
Attributes: Bacterial Leaf Spot Resistant, Tobamovirus Resistant, Frost Sensitive, Good for Containers
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: For mild climates only: 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70°‒90°F. Transplant seedlings outside 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when daytime temperatures are at least 70°F, and nighttime temperatures are at least 55°F. Mild Climates: Can also sow in late summer for fall/winter crop.
Days to Emerge: 10 – 25 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: Start indoors
Row Spacing: 24" ‒ 36"
Thinning: Start indoors, plant seedlings 18" ‒ 24" apart outside
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest when mature size and firm. Jalapeños can be harvested green or red, and are hottest just when they begin to turn from green to red. When harvesting, take care to avoid touching the interior of any broken peppers, as the capsaicin is an extreme irritant, especially to the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after harvesting or wear gloves to harvest peppers.
Special Care: Pepper seed germinates best in very warm soil. Either use a heat mat under your seed starting tray or place tray in a warm room. Do not overwater, but keep soil just slightly moist. Make sure the potting containers are big enough that the plants’ roots will not be constricted; if seedlings become rootbound, the plants’ growth may be stunted.