Bitter Bird Eye Pepper

10 Seeds

Bitter Bird's Eye Pepper, commonly known as Bird's Eye Chili or Thai Bird Pepper, is a highly productive chili variety that produces small, slender peppers with an intense spicy flavor and a heat level of approximately 50,000–100,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). It is widely used in Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cuisine for fresh cooking, drying, sauces, and chili powder. This variety grows exceptionally well in the Gulf climate when planted during the cooler months 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: 22–32°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
• Under cooler conditions, germination may take up to 30 days.

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 4–6 true leaves
  • Height of 15–20 cm
• Space plants:
  • 45–60 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 60–75 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 90–110 days after transplanting
• Harvest peppers when they turn bright red for the fullest flavor and highest heat.
• They may also be harvested while green for a slightly milder taste.
• Regular harvesting encourages continuous fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best yields.
• Apply organic mulch to keep the soil cool and conserve moisture.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, then switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruit production.
• Ensure good airflow and protect plants from intense afternoon heat.
• Bird's Eye Pepper performs exceptionally well in containers, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems.