How to Grow Bhut Jolokia Pepper World's Hottest Pepper

Bhut Jolokia is very hard to grow and is not recommended for the novice gardener. However if you follow my simple step by step and the conditions are right in you area, long growing season, etc. You should be able to be successful your first try.

When starting your seeds soil temperature must be 80 to 90 deg. You may need to use a propagation mat to supply enough heat. Start your seeds in soil cups. Use a rich potting soil mixture, keep in sun light during the day and move to warmest place in your home during cool nights. Remember light plays no part in the germination process. It is the warmth rather than sun light that causes seed to germinate.

Keep soil moist and never allow it to dry out and never allow it to become soggy. The seeds can take up to 36 days just to germinate and 160 days before harvesting. Once peppers have second set of leaves you will need to temper them before planting outside. This is done by placing them outside in sun light a couple of hours a day, and extending the time every few days. Should take about 10 days. Plant in a good rich organic soil. This type pepper does not seem to set fruit well. Some causes of flower drop are: Air temperature of over 95 deg, can but not always cause flower drop. Too much nitrogen, so be careful with fertilizer, best to use manure or organic. Even small amounts of stress will cause flower drop.

Now you will need to acquire your seeds. This can prove very difficult to obtain these at a reasonable price. Some of the on line seed catalogs ask $15.00 for three seeds. On ebay they go for about 10 seeds for $5.00 plush shipping. The best source I've found is the New Mexico State University. Their price is $5.00 per 10 to 15 seeds plus 15 cents shipping. But they have a minimum of $30.00.

If you live in one of our Northern areas were you get cool nights you may want to consider growing these in containers. That way you can move them inside if it becomes to cool.

Can be mulched to control weeds.

A light dusting with powdered lime with prevent most insects attacks.

Allow pepper to dry on plants, can be used as hot curry, crushed hot pepper etc.

Be careful when handling, it can cause hands etc. to blister.

Keep away from eyes, if you should get it your eye call a doctor.