Lemon Drop Hot Pepper

10 Seeds

Lemon Drop Hot Pepper, also known as Aji Limón, is a traditional Peruvian heirloom chili. It produces slender, bright lemon-yellow peppers with a fresh citrus-like flavor and a medium-hot heat level (approximately 15,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU)). It is excellent for fresh use, hot sauces, salsas, drying, and seasoning. This vigorous variety performs very well in the Gulf region when grown 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 greenhouse or protected 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 waterlogging 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:
  • 50–60 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 75–90 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 90–120 days after transplanting
• Harvest peppers when they turn bright lemon-yellow for the best flavor and aroma.
• Frequent harvesting encourages continuous fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best harvest.
• Apply organic mulch to keep the root zone cool and conserve soil 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.
• Provide good air circulation and protect plants from intense afternoon heat.
• Lemon Drop Hot Pepper performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, containers, and hydroponic systems.