Bishop's crown pepper

10 Seeds

Bishop's Crown Pepper, also known as Joker's Hat, Christmas Bell Pepper, or Bishop's Hat Pepper, is a unique heirloom chili from South America. Its distinctive three-winged fruits resemble a bishop's crown. It has a mild to medium heat level (approximately 5,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)), with the lower part of the fruit being sweeter and the upper section noticeably hotter. It is excellent for stuffing, grilling, pickling, fresh salads, sauces, and drying. This vigorous variety performs exceptionally well in the Gulf region when grown during the cooler season and is suitable for gardens, containers, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems.

Best Planting Time

• August to October (recommended)
• January to February (for protected greenhouse cultivation)
• Avoid outdoor planting when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 40°C.

Seed Preparation

• Soak seeds in warm water (25–30°C) for 8–12 hours before sowing.
• Optional: soak in diluted seaweed extract or chamomile tea to improve germination.
• No cold stratification is required.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or nursery pots.
• Plant seeds 0.5–1 cm deep.
• Cover lightly with fine soil or vermiculite.
• Keep the growing medium evenly moist until germination.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 25–30°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 20–30°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• During extremely hot Gulf afternoons, provide 30–40% shade cloth.

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist during germination.
• Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Avoid overwatering and ensure excellent drainage.

Germination Time

• 10–21 days
• Germination may take up to 30 days under cooler conditions.

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 4–6 true leaves
  • Height of 15–20 cm
• Space plants:
  • 50–60 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 75–90 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 90–120 days after transplanting
• Harvest peppers while green for a crisp texture, or allow them to ripen to bright red for maximum sweetness and flavor.
• Regular harvesting encourages continuous fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best harvest.
• Apply organic mulch to keep the soil cool and reduce moisture loss.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth, then switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruit production.
• Provide plant support if heavily loaded with fruit.
• Bishop's Crown Pepper performs exceptionally well in containers, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems.