Growing and Harvesting Habanero Peppers
Habaneros, even more so that other garden peppers, love it hot. Weather, that is. Like all peppers, your habanero plants will thrive in areas with a strong morning sun and a slightly acidic soil pH (about 5-6). Do not over water your habanero plants, as overly moist soil will affect the roots and make your habaneros more bitter. A good rule of thumb is to only water the plants when the soil is dry.
Since the habanero is a perennial, it will continue to produce peppers for years if you take proper care of the plants. This is obviously easier in warmer climes, but it is entirely possible to grow them indoors or in greenhouses with the proper conditions.
Habanero plants average between 2 and 4-1/2 feet tall. In tropical regions, where growing conditions are ideal, habanero plants can grow much larger, with 8-foot habanero trees being reported in Costa Rica. Imaging the habaneros such a tree might produce. The plant produces leaves about 4 inches wide and 6 inches long.
The peppers are typically ready to be picked 75-90 days from planting and can last well into the frost, though conditions may vary, so be sure to pick them often. The best way to know when to pick your habaneros is by visual inspection. When they turn bright orange, they’re ready for picking.
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