Rezha Macedonian pepper

10 Seeds

Rezha Macedonian Pepper is a traditional heirloom pepper from North Macedonia, valued for its long, tapered fruits, excellent flavor, and medium heat. It is suitable for fresh eating, roasting, grilling, drying, and pickling. This variety adapts well to the Gulf climate when grown during the cooler months and performs excellently in 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 soil 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 growing medium consistently moist during germination.
• Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Avoid overwatering and ensure excellent 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
• Pick fruits while green for a mild flavor or allow them to ripen to bright red for maximum sweetness and full flavor.
• Regular harvesting encourages continuous fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• August to October is the ideal planting season.
• Apply organic mulch to keep the root zone 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 fruiting.
• Protect plants from strong desert winds and intense afternoon sun.
• Rezha Macedonian Pepper performs exceptionally well in greenhouses and hydroponic systems with consistent irrigation and nutrition.