Red Carolina Reaper Pepper

5 Seeds

Red Carolina Reaper is one of the world's hottest chili peppers, averaging 1,400,000–2,200,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), with some fruits exceeding this range. It produces small, wrinkled bright red peppers with a distinctive pointed "tail." Due to its long growing season, it performs best in the Gulf when planted during the cooler months. It is ideal for greenhouses, containers, gardens, 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 (28–30°C) for 12–24 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 but never waterlogged.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 28–32°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

• 14–30 days
• Some seeds may take up to 40 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:
  • 120–150 days after sowing
• Pick peppers when they become bright red, fully wrinkled, and develop their characteristic pointed tail.
• Always wear gloves when harvesting or handling the peppers, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or face.

Gulf Climate Tips

• August to October is the ideal planting season.
• Apply organic mulch to keep roots cool and reduce water evaporation.
• 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.
• Ensure good airflow while protecting plants from intense afternoon heat.
• Red Carolina Reaper performs exceptionally well in greenhouses and hydroponic systems with controlled irrigation and nutrition.