"Cañoncito" *Hot* Red Peppers

Capsicum annuum

400 year old heirloom, The Cañoncito, belongs to a family of landrace chili peppers unique to the high altitude pueblos in the northern part of New Mexico. At 6000 feet of elevation these magical peppers are direct sown and ripen a crop of spicy chili peppers in a short 3 1/2 month growing season (last frost to first frost). Each pueblo in northern NM has its own unique chili pepper that has been tended for generations which is what makes the cuisine of the region so different from town to town. The Cañoncito pepper is the most incredible pepper we have come across ripening it's fruit just 50 to 60 days after transplant. The plants are incredibly vigorous and produce an abundance of ripe, ruby red peppers that are sugary sweet with a medium heat and a smoky, citrusy rich flavour. The heat ranges from plant to plant which is due to its genetic diversity as a landrace. Many plants in the population have even showed frost tolerance down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. We can't say enough about these beloved peppers. We know you will love them.

Growing Instructions:

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.

Transplant as soon as the last chance of frost has passed being sure to add plenty of rich compost at time of planting. We also recommend to do a fall or spring cover crop of of peas or other annual legumes to fix nitrogen in the growing space.

Plant spacing: 12-18 “ apart

Row spacing: 18-24 “ apart

Mulching Peppers is a good idea, however mulching in mid spring will keep soil temperature cooler and may slow growth. Mulching can be done once soil has warmed.

Make sure soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. If plant needs a growing boost, water with nitrogen tea or compost tea a few times. If trace minerals are inadequate, sprinkle a small amount of woodash or azomite in each planting hole.

Harvest:

“Cañoncito” peppers will begin ripening in 60 days from transplant. Ripe when fully red. With frost advisory pick all you can off of the plant, maturing peppers will ripen off of the vine. Some lesser mature ones may not ripen.