Name: Serrano
Nickname: Seco Chile – dried and ground Serrano pepper
Species: Capsicum annuum
Origin: Mexico
Distribution: Worldwide
SHU: 10,000-23,000
Heat level: 1/5
The Serrano pepper typically grows to an average height of 100-150 cm. It has green, hairy leaves. The flowers are white. After transplantation, it takes 65-85 days for the first fruits to be harvested. During ripening, the fruits transition from green to light orange, and finally to red. One Serrano pepper plant can yield up to 50 fruits. The taste of its fruits is very similar to Jalapeno, but Serrano peppers are slightly hotter. The dimensions of the fruits range from 3-6 cm, and sometimes up to 10 cm in length, with a diameter of 1.5 cm. Green fruits are most commonly consumed, as they are a key ingredient in the famous Mexican dish pico de gallo and other seasonal salsas, spreads, and even hot sauces. Fully ripe, red Serrano peppers were once the base of one of the most famous hot sauces – Sriracha, but today they have been replaced with Jalapeno peppers. The Mexican states (Veracruz, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas) are among the largest producers of this variety, with an annual yield of 180,000 tons of peppers.
Growing Conditions
Soil pH: optimal 6.2-7.0, tolerates up to 8.0
Sowing time: mid to late February
Light requirements: plant seedlings in a fully sunny location without excessive shading.
Optimal sowing temperature: 26-29 °C
Germination time: 6-12 days
Planting: seedlings are transplanted directly into the soil or large pots when the soil temperature is >13 °C and air temperature is >20 °C, in our climate from mid to late May.
Temperatures after transplantation: optimal temperature >24 °C, but not exceeding 32 °C as it can cause flower drop.
Pot size required: if planting in pots, use containers with a minimum capacity of 15 liters.
Spacing within the row: 45 cm spacing between two plants in a row
Spacing between rows: 60-70 cm spacing between rows
Watering: in the field, watering depends on rainfall; during dry periods, water at least once a week. Water potted peppers as needed, if the substrate at the root level is dry. Water exclusively at the base of the plant, avoiding spraying the leaves.
Fertilization: from transplanting to flowering, apply foliar fertilizer (spraying over the leaves) once a week with a formulation of 19:6:20, and during flowering until the end of harvest, use a formulation of 15:5:30.
