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Growing Mayan Red Habanero Hot Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Growing Mayan Red Habanero peppers in a home garden can be an exciting and rewarding experience. These vibrant, fiery peppers thrive best when started indoors about 6-8 weeks before your area's last expected frost date. Plant the seeds about a quarter inch deep in well-draining, moistened potting soil or a quality germination mix. Cover the trays or cells with a humidity dome to retain moisture and warmth. Using heat mats can greatly enhance germination by maintaining consistent temperatures.
Once the seedlings emerge, remove the humidity dome and provide full sun conditions. Indoors, this often requires supplemental grow lights, as a sunny windowsill may not provide sufficient light. For optimal growth, use LED grow lights to ensure the seedlings receive 8-14 hours of direct light daily. Keep the temperature between 70-80 F and ensure proper ventilation while maintaining attentive watering practices.
Approximately two weeks before the final frost date, begin acclimating your seedlings to outdoor conditions. By this time, they should have developed at least two sets of true leaves and a robust root system. Start by placing the trays outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their exposure to outdoor elements. Bring them indoors if temperatures drop too low and slowly introduce them to cooler days, wind, and rain. By the last frost date, your seedlings should be ready for garden planting!
Prepare your garden bed by incorporating compost or a balanced fertilizer and loosening any compacted soil. Dig holes 18-24 inches apart, ensuring the depth matches the root ball of each plant. This spacing provides good ventilation between plants, reducing the risk of diseases. Plant the seedlings, backfill the holes, and gently tamp down the soil. Water thoroughly to moisten the top 6 inches of soil.
Throughout the growing season, care for your pepper plants by regularly checking for pests and diseases and taking prompt action if needed. Mulch around the plants with high-quality, untreated mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize periodically with a balanced fertilizer, ensuring adequate phosphorus levels for healthy growth. Direct sunlight and hot temperatures will increase the pepper's spiciness (SHU)
Harvesting Mayan Red Habanero Hot Peppers
Mayan Red Habaneros are ready for harvest when they turn a deep, vibrant red. While they can ripen off the plant, it’s best to let them fully mature on the plant for optimal flavor and heat. Use a knife or shears to cut the peppers from the plant, leaving a short stem attached. Harvesting promptly as they ripen encourages continuous fruit production throughout the season.
About Mayan Red Habanero Hot Pepper Garden Seeds
The Mayan Red Habanero pepper is renowned for its intense heat and distinctive flavor, making it a favorite among hot pepper enthusiasts. These peppers are small and lantern-shaped, adding a vibrant splash of color to your garden.
Hot peppers make a great companion plant for a variety of other plants because of their spicy nature. Deer and other animals avoid it because they don’t like the capsaicin that makes it so fiery.
The Mayan Red Habanero ranks around 100,000 to 350,000 Scoville Heat Units depending on the amount of heat and sun the plant was exposed to during the fruit’s maturation.
These hot peppers are often used for container gardening as thrive in about 5 gallons of well-draining soil. If you choose to grow them in containers, ensure the container has proper drainage and that the plant receives regular watering and fertilization for optimal growth.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Don’t be alarmed if it seems like your seedlings are slow to grow when sprouting them indoors. In my experience they are a bit slow when young but then take off once transplanted to the garden."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
Mayan Red Habanero Hot Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 300 mg - Packet - Approximately 50 Seeds
- .25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 1,250 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 20,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Mayan Red Habanero Hot Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Latin Name: |
Capsicum chinense
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Pepper Type: |
Hot - These peppers all have some heat and usually rank at least 100, but usually 500 or more on the Scoville scale and have heat ranging from mild to extremely hot.. |
Habanero Mayan Red Pepper Color: |
Red |
Habanero Mayan Red Pepper Flavor: |
Spicy and fruity |
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: |
90-99 (from transplant) |
Days to Germination: |
7-10 |
Seeding Depth: |
0.25 inch |
Plant Spacing: |
18-24 inches |
Row Spacing: |
24-36 inches |
Plant Height: |
24-36 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: |
Yes |
Scoville Heat Units: |
100,000 to 350,000 |
Heat Level: |
Extra Hot - 100,000 to 300,000 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Most Habaneros |
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 |
Pepper Use: |
Perfect for sauces and salsas. |