CUMARI DO PARA PEPPER SEEDS

Capsicum chinense

These tiny wild Brazilian chiles have big flavor and make incredible hot sauce and adorable pickles and are truly delicious eaten out of hand. Fragrant yellow pods are typically rated about 60,000 SHU, with a very sweet and fruity flavor. Heat dissipates quickly. Excellent for nibbling in the garden. Beautiful packed in clear brine with mouse melons. Perfect for garnishing cocktails.

Wild chile peppers are perennials in their native habitat. They typically require a long growing season to set fruit the first year. Cumari do Para is miraculously early. In 2019 we had our first big flush of ripe pods in the first week of August, about 80 days after transplanting. Best grown in containers in the far north. Overwinter plants indoors for an even earlier fruit set in the second and subsequent summers.

Seeds should be started indoors in February or March. Sow seeds just below the surface of moist soil, pressing to keep seed snug; mist generously with hot water; cover with plastic to maintain moisture and temperature; kept consistently warm (85-90F) and moist in bright light, seeds will germinate in 2-4 weeks. Germination is erratic and may be sooner or later, depending on temperature. Cool night temperatures will slow germination significantly. Use a heat mat and leave lights on 24/7. Water from the bottom with very hot water. Prick out seedlings with true leaves to grow on in individual containers in bright light on a heat mat in the warmest location in the house until transplanting outdoors, into the garden or a 10” container.

Plants of Cumari do Para are attractive and mounding affairs, with lots of lateral branching. They are almost decorative in a container. Plants require full sun and warm daytime temperatures to set fruit. Established plants will tolerate cool nighttime temperatures, and even light autumn frosts. Water frequently. Plants may be pruned to shape. Fruit set is impressive and neverending. We were harvesting these up until our first hard freeze in November of 2019!

Highly recommended.

Packet contains at least 15 seeds.