Manzano / Orange Rocoto - Heirloom Pepper Seeds

Manzano or Orange Rocoto originates in South America and grows on the Andean mountain slopes. It is among the oldest of domesticated chiles being cultivated for thousands of years.

This pepper, also known as the "Apple Chile," is very unique because it has black seeds, and hairy leaves. It blooms with beautiful purple six-point star shaped flowers. It has a small 2” apple shape, and pod flesh is thick, and the flavor is sweet with a citrus taste. Unlike most chiles it does fine in cooler weather and prefers partial shade instead of full sun. They actually prefer growing in temperatures between 45-60˚ F, so some shade is necessary if grown in hotter climates. Learn more about growing these cold-tolerant peppers » 

They are long-lived plants, and, if protected from frost the plants can produce for 15 years and grow more than 10’ high. Robust vines can be trellised like a grape.

Capsicum pubescens (100 days) Heirloom - Open-pollinated

Heat Level: Very Very Hot  Scoville 30,000

~ Packet contains 10 seeds. 

In early spring, start seeds indoors 8 weeks prior to warm nightly temperatures. Place the seeds in seedling mix and cover 1/4” deep. Provide 85°F bottom heat, bright light and keep moist at all times. Seeds will germinate in 21 - 42 days. Transplant seedlings into pots and grow until there are 6 true leaves on the plant. Plant them directly into rich warm soil. Grow in partial shade. Harvest peppers when they are orange.

Germination Tip: Soak seeds for 2 days in water before planting in a very moist seedling mix with a plastic dome on top until they germinate. Lift dome daily for air exchange. 

The Manzano are difficult to germinate. They like 85 degrees soil in the day and 70 degrees soil at night. They are a landrace chile and have not been bred to pop up out of the soil. They decide when the environment is right for growing and completing their lifecycle. We also soak the Manzano seeds in a cup of room temperature tea overnight to soften the seed coat and also apply diluted Superthrive to the seedling mix each week when watering.

All of our seeds are GMO-free.