Pepper - Sweet Salsa

SKU:
CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
Unavailable
Approximately 120-140 seeds per gram.
Capsicum annuum
Lot# PS31442
The Sweet Salsa Pepper is a very sweet, flavorful, thick-fleshed pepper. It is a pimento style pepper, that is cone shaped and averages around 7-10 cm, (3-4") long x 5 cm (2") wide.  It is also known as the Lipstick Pepper or the Spanish Cherry.  It is used in salads and salsas but it also great for roasting and pickling. It is dependably productive even in areas with cooler summers. Peppers are prolific on this sturdy short plant that grows to 45-60 cm (18-24”) tall with a 45cm (18”) spread.  Peppers ripen from green to red and are sweetest when red.
Planting Instructions:   
  • Start indoors 6-10 weeks (March – April) before your last spring frost.  Sow 4-5 seeds 6mm (¼”) deep in 10cm (4”) pots and cover lightly with soil medium.  Keep soil moist but not too wet.  We keep under lights at a temperature of 26.7-29˚C (80-85˚F).  Germination rates can vary drastically from 10 days to 21 days. Thin seedlings to 2-3 per pot.  Once seedlings develop their second set of true leaves, prune the first set of true leaves. Pruning the leaves forces secondary growth and creates a bushier plant. We do this on several leaf sets.  If seedlings become too leggy, place them in a cooler location.  This will slow them down and make their stems thicker.  Transplant seedlings when soil has warmed up to 15.6-18˚C (60-65˚F).  Plant transplants 45-61cm (18-24”) apart in rows 61-76cm (24-30”) apart.
  • Note:  Peat pots are not recommended for germinating peppers.  The pH may be too high and peat pots retain a lot of water that may drown the seeds.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked, rich, loose and well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 5.5-6.8
  • Planting Depth:   Sow seeds 6mm (¼) deep.
  • Germination:  8-25 days.
  • Height at Maturity:  Plants reach 45-61cm (18-24") tall.  Compact bush habit. Spread can be 40-45cm (16-18”) wide.
  •  Days to Maturity:    62-85 days.
  • Watering:   Peppers require about 2.5cm (1”) of water per week. Allow water to completely soak the soil 15-20cm (6-8”) deep. This will ensure good growth, whether vegetables are grown in single hills or wide rows. The amount of rain that falls during the week will help supplement how much you should water your garden.  Soil should remain moist.
  • Sun/Shade:  Full Sun     
  • Spacing after Thinning     Plant transplants 45-61cm (18-24”) apart in rows 61-76cm (24-30”) apart.
Additional Information
Sweet Salsa peppers are  thick walled, sweet and flavorful.  They make a great stuffing pepper and of course they are great for stir fries, salads and salsa.  When peppers are finished growing they will pull off the plant very easily. If they don't come off easily they are still growing. Slice peppers up and freeze them in a container for use as fresh peppers on pizza, soups, salsa and salads. To prolong a pepper harvest, harvest peppers from the plant regularly.   Peppers are susceptible to rot, blossom end rot, anthracnose, tobacco mosaic virus, bacterial spot, and mildew.  Keep these in check and rotate pepper crops to different areas. Plant disease-resistant varieties. Keep the garden clean and free of weeds where pests and diseases can shelter. Destroy and dispose of infected plants before diseases can spread.  Aphids, cutworms and flea beetles are common pests for most garden plants and there are a variety of solutions for these.