Capsicum annuum Explosive Ember

This ornamental and edible pepper features purple foliage and purple flowers when in full sun. Conical fruit matures from dark purple to brilliant red. It grows 10-12 inches tall and works great as a specimen plant or as part of a mixed container.

For more: www.syngentaflowers.com

Production:

• Transplant to finish (approximately day 29-98): Optimize plant shoot and root growth, which is usually a 1:1 ratio. Flower buds are usually present and developing.
• Media: Maintain a pH of 5.5-5.8 and an EC of 1.25-1.5
• Light: Provide 5,000-7,500 foot candles or 18 – 28 mols
• Temperature: Days 72°-75°F; Night 62°-65°F; ADT 70°F; using a 5°-10°F negative DIFF or drop in the morning from two hours before sunrise until approximately 9 a.m.
• Moisture: Alternate between moisture levels wet and medium. Allow media to approach medium before re-saturating to wet. Avoid overwatering. A slight wilt between watering is acceptable.
• Humidity: 40 percent
• Fertilizers: Fertilize weekly with a 14-4-14 or 17-5-17 at 100-150 ppm, as needed for an EC in the soil of 1.25-1.5
• Growth Regulators: Daminozide at 2,500 ppm. Avoid late applications of growth regulators since it can reduce the fruit size. Plant growth is best regulated by moisture management, watering when plants are thoroughly dry.
• Fungicides: Preventive fungicide may be applied for Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Phytophthora.

Did you know?
The gorgeous fruit of Explosive Ember not only looks good in a pot or landscape, it also tastes good, according to many food bloggers. It’s somewhat hot – 30,000-50,000 Scoville Heat Units – which is equal to a cayenne pepper.

Photo courtesy of Fleuroselect