Bulgarian Carrot Hot Pepper

10 Seeds

Bulgarian Carrot Hot Pepper is a productive heirloom variety from Bulgaria, producing bright orange, carrot-shaped peppers with a crisp texture and a medium to hot heat level (approximately 10,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)). It is excellent for fresh eating, pickling, sauces, drying, and cooking. This variety performs very well in the Gulf climate when planted 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 sowing outdoors 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 good drainage.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days
• Under cooler conditions, germination may take up to 21 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:
  • 75–90 days after transplanting
• Harvest peppers when they become bright orange for the best flavor, crisp texture, and moderate heat.
• Regular harvesting encourages continued fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best performance.
• Apply organic mulch to reduce soil temperature and conserve moisture.
• 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.
• Protect plants from strong desert winds and intense afternoon sunlight.
• Bulgarian Carrot Hot Pepper performs exceptionally well in containers, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems.