Biquinho Red is a chili pepper variety from the Netherlands with striking drop-shaped fruits, suitable for gardeners who appreciate a strong aroma but prefer a milder heat. The compact plant grows to a height of 60–80 cm, making it an excellent choice for both conventional greenhouses and larger pots on balconies or terraces.
The fruits are small, with a characteristic pointed tip, and turn deep red when ripe. Due to their mild heat, Biquinho chilies are perfect for pickling whole, in preserves, fresh salads, and for visual garnishing of dishes. The package contains 5 high-quality seeds, sufficient for establishing a home chili collection with a decent yield.
Usage and Cultivation Instructions:
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Sowing time and pre-cultivation: Sow seeds indoors in pots or seed trays from February to April. Chili germinates slowly and requires warmth (optimal germination temperature is 25–28 °C).
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Sowing depth: 0.5–1 cm.
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Growing location: Prefers a warm, sheltered, and sunny location. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, plastic tunnels, or, during a warm summer, also outdoors and in pots on the terrace.
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Planting: Plant in a heated greenhouse in April or May. Move plants to an unheated greenhouse or outdoors only when the danger of night frost has completely passed (late May or early June).
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Planting scheme: Maintain a spacing of 30 x 70 cm between plants to ensure sufficient air circulation and light.
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Harvesting: Fruits ripen gradually from July to September.
Tips and recommendations:
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To speed up germination, cover the pots with plastic wrap or glass to maintain consistent moisture. Remove the cover as soon as the first seedlings appear.
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If growing chili in a pot (on a balcony or terrace), choose a container of at least 5–10 liters and be sure to use nutrient-rich vegetable soil, watering regularly with a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer.
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Pinch off the plant’s first flower (the so-called king flower) – this promotes branching and significantly increases the final yield.