Sweet Datil Pepper Seeds — Rare Florida Heirloom, Fruity Heat, St. Augustine Native ChiliCaspsicum chinenseListing is for 1 packet with a minimum of 15 seeds🌶️ Variety Note: Sweet Datil peppers mature to a vibrant red and are noticeably milder than the standard Hot Datil, which ripens to golden orange and produces a longer, distinctly shaped pod. Check out my tutorial on how to grow peppers from seed: https://youtu.be/9j74wQpahsACheck out my tutorial on how to transplant peppers for maximum production: https://youtu.be/hqkwOP-ci9M Meet the Sweet Datil Pepper — one of Florida's most legendary and elusive heirloom treasures, and a seed with a story as rich as its flavor. A member of the Capsicum chinense family, the Datil pepper is primarily grown in and around St. Augustine, Florida, ripening from olive green through lime yellow to a glowing golden orange, with mature pods measuring 3–4 cm long. What sets the Datil apart from its habanero cousins is its extraordinary balance of intense fruity heat and surprising sweetness — you may catch notes of apricot or citrus before the slow-building burn blooms. For over 200 years, local Minorcan families have saved and re-planted these seeds, making the Datil a true heirloom crop — a small, golden-orange chili about the size of your thumb that thrives in sandy soil, hot sun, and coastal humidity. Grow this piece of Florida heritage in full sun with well-draining soil; plants reach 2–3 feet tall with a bushy, multi-trunked habit, spaced roughly 3 feet apart, and take approximately 100–120 days from seeding to first fruit. Seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 75–80°F, taking 10–20 days to sprout, and are best started indoors in late winter before transplanting once temperatures warm. Best suited for USDA Zones 9–11, though they can also be grown as a perennial in containers, producing peppers all through summer and fall. Celebrated as "the pepper of St. Augustine," the Datil is a staple of Minorcan cuisine, beloved in hot sauces, jellies, relishes, salsas, and the region's famous Minorcan clam chowder. These seeds are a rare find — grow your own taste of Old Florida history. Peppers are slow to germinate and slow to start growing to transplant size. I recommend to start seeds in pots/trays with a heat mat to speed up germination. Then start fertilizing weekly with half strength fertilizer once the first set of true leaves appear. Peppers are similar to tomatoes in that they like plenty of water and are heavy feeders. Peppers are perennial plants and can produce for several years if taken care of. In cold climates trim off all the leaves and bring in doors in a pot to over winter. Place back out doors once temperatures are nice and warm. In mild climates, pepper plants can be left out doors and might need to be covered on the coldest nights. Ideal Growing Conditions Sun: 8 hours of full sun. Cover with 40% shade cloth during the summer if the days are consistently over 90F. Water: Let the soil dry out a little in-between watering Fertilizer: Regular applications of an organic granular fertilizer, like Espoma Tomato-Tone will help speed up growth and increase production. When To Sow Seeds: Sow seeds indoors as early as 8 weeks before your last spring frost date all throughout spring time. Hot climate (no snow areas), can also sow seeds indoors during the summer to plant for a fall crop. Sow 2-3 seeds, 1/4 inch deep, in 4 inch pots or solo cups with drainage holes cut out of the bottom, filled with seed starting mix. Use heat mats and grow lights to speed up germination and growth. How to sow pepper seeds: https://youtu.be/9j74wQpahsA How to transplant peppers: https://youtu.be/hqkwOP-ci9M Germination: 10-14 days Days To Maturity: 100-120 days after transplanting How & When To Harvest: Peppers can be harvested at any color stage. Common Diseases: The most common disease when growing peppers is bacterial spot, often proliferated by consistently wet conditions and plant leaves. Spray with 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water to clean and disinfect. Repeat every 3 to 5 days until you notice the spread has stopped. If a lot of rain is expected, pre-treatment will help to prevent diseases. Common Pests: Whiteflies and mealybugs are common sap-sucking pests on pepper plants. Whiteflies gather on the undersides of leaves, causing yellowing and leaf drop, while mealybugs, covered in a white, cotton-like wax, weaken plants and produce sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mold. Treat both pests with regular applications of an organic insecticidal soap, focusing on leaf undersides. Additionally, use yellow sticky traps to capture adult white flies. For severe white fly infestations, remove badly infested leaves and spray with spinosad. Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? YES Check out my tutorial on how to grow peppers from seed: https://youtu.be/9j74wQpahsA Check out my tutorial on how to transplant peppers for maximum production: https://youtu.be/hqkwOP-ci9M Additional Tips/Information: N/A
Related
Related
Related
Related