Growing Chile de Arbol in Planters

Growing Requirements

• Chili peppers, like the Chile de Arbol, need heat and full sun, at least six hours per day, to grow and produce harvestable crop. Plant seedlings in the spring in outdoor containers when night temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees Fahrenheit or keep the containers indoors until the weather warms up. Chile de Arbol peppers grow best in a temperature range of 70-to-80 degrees during the day but can tolerate temperatures as high as 90 degrees.

Container Selection and Potting Soil

• Plant single Chile de Arbol peppers in pots that are 16 inches in diameter or larger. The plants grow 22-to-30 inches tall with a spread of 10-to-12 inches. You can use a pre-mixed potting soil or make your own by blending equal parts sphagnum peat moss, perlite, potting soil and aged, sterile compost. Always use planters and containers with drainage holes in the bottom. You can cover the hole loosely with screen or pebbles to keep the soil from draining out.

Planting

• When planting chili peppers, plant them at the same depth in the container as they were in the nursery pot. Scoop out a hole in the potting soil as deep as the root ball and place the plants upright in the hole. After planting, soak the potting soil until it drains from the holes in the bottom. This settles the soil and reduces transplant shock. Add more soil after watering if it settles lower than the base of the stem.

Fertilizer and Water

• Compost tea commonly comes highly concentrated. Before using it, mix 4-to-8 ounces of concentrated liquid with 1 gallon of water. Dilutions vary by brand so check the label and adjust the dilution depending on the specific instructions. Apply 2 cups of the dilution for each plant right after planting and then every three weeks through the growing season. To apply, pour the diluted mix directly onto the soil in the planter. Chili de Arbol plants need regular moisture through the growing season. Feel the soil daily and water when the top half-inch starts to feel dry to the touch.

Pests

• Pests are more likely to bother Chile de Arbol plants grown outdoors, but even in a greenhouse, pests can be a problem. Insects to watch out for are aphids. Check the undersides of the leaves and stalk with a magnifying glass. Insecticidal soap works to control these soft-bodied insects and is available ready to use in spray bottles. Spray the liquid directly onto the insects until they are saturated. Wear gloves and eye protection when using any pesticides and make sure to read and follow all warnings on the package label.

Harvest

• You can harvest Chile de Arbol peppers green, but to get the best flavor, harvest when the peppers turn bright red. Chile de Arbol peppers need a 75- to 80-day growing season before harvesting. To harvest, pinch the fruit from the plant using a pair of sharp snippers. Wear gloves when handling hot chili peppers and avoid touching your eyes. Oil residue on the plants can cause burning on the skin and especially the eyes.