Grown Carolina Reaper?

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Carolina Reaper — Peppers | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Carolina Reaper
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

90-120days to harvest

14-30days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Moderate to challengingdifficulty

Container friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Seeds may be slow to germinate. Transplant only after warm weather is established.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-2 inches per week, consistent but not excessive
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with good drainage
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 24-36 inches
Height: 12-30 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Green ripening to bright red with bumpy texture
Size: 1-2 inches long, 1 inch wide
Shape: Wrinkled pod with characteristic scorpion tail
Flavour: Fruity and sweet initially, then extreme heat at 2.2+ million Scoville units

In the kitchen

Hot sauce making, extreme spice challenges, minute amounts in cooking for heat

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, pepper weevil
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, pepper mosaic virus, phytophthora blight
Resistance: Good natural resistance typical of C. chinense varieties

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	October – September
3	April	June – July	—	October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	September – October
6	March	May – June	—	September – November
7	February – March	April – May	—	August – October
8	February	April – May	—	August – October
9	January	March – April	—	July – September
10	January	February – March	—	June – August
11	January	January – February	—	May – July
12	January	January – February	—	May – July
13	January	January – February	—	May – July

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially enhancing pepper flavor

MarigoldDeters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with natural pest-repelling compounds

OreganoRepels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

CarrotsHelps break up soil for pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

OnionsRepels aphids, thrips, and other pests with sulfur compounds

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

ChivesDeters aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that inhibits nightshade family growth

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that stunt pepper growth

BrassicasCompete for similar nutrients and may inhibit pepper development

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 1.66
Fat (g): 0.45
Carbohydrate (g): 5.35
Fibre (g): 3.4
Sugars (g): 1.95
Vitamin A (µg): 17
Vitamin C (mg): 82.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.69
Vitamin K (µg): 9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.357
Folate (µg): 29
Calcium (mg): 14
Iron (mg): 0.46
Magnesium (mg): 17
Phosphorus (mg): 32
Potassium (mg): 256
Zinc (mg): 0.25
Selenium (µg): 0.3

← PreviousSweet Italian Pepper 'Marconi Rosso' Next →Padron Pepper

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Carolina Reaper?

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