Pepper Seeds - Sweet - Sweet Rain Hybrid
80-89 Days to maturity (from transplant). Capsicum annuum. Sweet Ristra Hybrid Pepper Seeds. Non-GMO, annual, F1 hybrid, sweet pepper with no heat levels. 0 Scoville Heat Units. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. The Giant Ristra Pepper is an elongated red pepper perfect for fresh use, roasting, or drying. Its sweet flavor makes it a flavorful addition to your garden! ~4,000 seeds/oz.
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Growing Sweet Ristra Hybrid Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Sweet Ristra Hybrid Peppers flourish in warm, sunny conditions. These peppers require warm soil and at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily from germination to fruiting. To start, sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your area's last frost date. Plant two or three seeds about a quarter inch deep in well-draining potting soil, germination mix, or coconut coir. Maintain a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8, keeping the seeds consistently moist. Sprouts should appear within 1-3 weeks. Once seedlings emerge, thin each cell to leave only the strongest seedling, cutting any extras at the soil level to avoid disturbing the roots.
About two weeks before the final frost date, begin hardening off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Increase their outdoor time daily until they can withstand a full day and night outside. Protect them from temperatures below 60 F, even after transplanting, to minimize transplant shock and improve survival rates.
Prepare your garden bed by incorporating organic matter such as compost. Space the seedlings 18-24 inches apart in a location with full sun exposure. Alternatively, you can grow Sweet Ristra peppers in containers using a phosphorus-rich potting mix. Companion planting with onions, marigolds, and kale can enhance the garden's diversity and health. Keep the plants well-watered, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged to prevent issues caused by poor drainage. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer throughout the growing season to support healthy growth and abundant fruit production.
Use a mulch layer around the plants to help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Prune the lower leaves of the pepper plants to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. In hot climates, pepper plants can become perennial, developing into woody bushes over time. However, they are typically grown as annuals to ensure a fresh start each year.
Harvesting Sweet Ristra Hybrid Peppers
Sweet Ristra Hybrid Peppers can be harvested about 85-90 days after transplanting. They are ready to pick when they are fully red and have reached their peak sweetness. Use a knife or shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a small stem attached to each fruit. This helps prolong their freshness. Store the harvested peppers in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer to maintain their quality.
About Sweet Ristra Hybrid Pepper Garden Seeds
The Sweet Ristra Hybrid Pepper is a modern cultivar developed to combine the best traits of traditional pepper varieties. The name "Ristra" refers to the traditional method of stringing peppers together, typically for drying and decorative purposes.
Unlike many traditional hot peppers used in ristras, Sweet Ristra Hybrids are mild, making them perfect for a wide range of dishes. These peppers were bred for their vibrant red color and uniform shape, making them ideal for both culinary and decorative uses.
Growing Sweet Ristra Hybrid Peppers in containers is an excellent option for those with limited garden space. Choose containers that are at least 12 inches in diameter and ensure they have good drainage. Fill the containers with a high-quality, well-draining potting mix enriched with organic matter. Place the containers in a sunny spot where the peppers will receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
A unique and delicious way to enjoy your Sweet Ristra Hybrid Peppers is by making a homemade pepper relish. This relish can be used as a condiment for sandwiches and burgers or served as a side with grilled meats.
Some other good companion plant options are basil, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and beans.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"The best way to prevent an uncontrollable infestation of pests or diseases is preventative measures and frequent monitoring. From experience, stay on top of things! Check out my IPM guide for more tips.”
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Sweet Ristra Hybrid Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 300 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 40 Seeds
- .25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,000 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 4,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 16,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Sweet Ristra Hybrid Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Capsicum annuum |
| Pepper Type: | Sweet - These peppers (think Bell Peppers) are almost all at 0 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they have no heat at all. A handful of sweet peppers do register very low on the Scoville scale but are still classed as sweet peppers. For example, Pepperoncinis are sweet peppers but usually rank around 100 to 500 on the Scoville Scale. |
| Sweet Ristra Pepper Color: | Red |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
| Days to Maturity: | 80-89 (from transplant) |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 18-24 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 24-36 inches |
| Plant Height: | 18-30 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Upright |
| Soil Preference: | Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | No |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
| Pepper Pollination: | Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
| Plant Width: | 18-24 inches |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Scoville Heat Units: | 0 |
| Heat Level: | Sweet - Peppers with no heat. 0-99 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Bell Peppers. |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 76 to 90 days from transplant. |
| Germination Temperature: | 80-90 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |