Shishito Pepper Organic Seed Capsicum annuum, Organic, NonGMO, Heirloom B25

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  • Regular price $2.49


Count: 25
Days to Germination 7-14 days Days to Maturity 60 days Planting Depth ¼" Spacing in Row 18" Spacing Between Rows 24" Height at Maturity 18" Sun Preference Full Sun

Fry or roast to blister, and salt for the perfect savory snack. Blistered Shishitos are the pinnacle of appetizers. Flash-fried in a pan and served with dipping sauce, they are now a popular starter on tables across America. But their roots are in Japan, where they were popular long before reaching Western plates and palates. the name "Shishito" means "Lion Pepper." Fiercely flavored with a stable temperament, Shishitos are indeed lion-like. Even the plants look a bit feline, with their heavy harvests of green peppers hanging shaggy and full like giant manes.

If you've ever had a plate of green shishitos, prepared to perfection, salty and perfectly spicy and softened by a brief sauté, you've undoubtedly thought about growing your own. And why not? Finding the peppers in stores is difficult; growing your own is straightforward, inexpensive, and allows you to binge each summer on a very special treat.

A favorite old Japanese variety which produces 3 inches long, slightly wrinkled fruit that is perfect for making tempura and other traditional recipes. Fruit is emerald green in color, ripening to red, and mildly flavored with just a bit of spice. It really is superb and is the standard with many chefs.

Popular in Japan, where its thin walls make it particularly suitable for tempura. Also very good roasted, in stir-fries, or sautéed. In Asia, the fruits are always cooked green, but they may also be used red. Thinly sliced, the red, slightly sweet fruits are excellent in salads and cole slaws. The plants are large and very productive. The fruits are similar to Mellow Star, which is unavailable this year, but slightly narrower and paler in color

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost in very warm spot (80 degrees is ideal). Keep seedlings in a well-ventilated area at 70+ degrees and do not over water. Transplant outdoors into rich soil after threat of frost has passed. Harvest peppers before they start to turn red.

CULTURE: Peppers thrive in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 6.5. Abundant phosphorus and calcium is needed for the best results.

GROWING SEEDLINGS: Sow seed in 20-row or shallow flats, 4 seeds/in., 1/4" deep, in late March or about 8 weeks prior to transplanting. If possible, maintain soil temperatures at 80-90°F (27-32°C). Pepper seeds germinate very slowly in cooler soil. When the first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into 2" cell-type containers or 4" pots. Grow plants at approx. 70°F (21°C) day and 60°F (16°C) nights.

COLD TREATMENT: Exposing the seedlings to controlled cold treatments can increase the number of flowers and fruits. When the third true leaf appears, grow the plants at a minimum night temperature of 53-55°F (12-13°C) for 4 weeks. The plants should receive full sunlight. After 4 weeks adjust temperature to 70°F (21°C) day and night. If this technique is used, peppers should be seeded 1-2 weeks earlier than usual.

TRANSPLANTING: Transplant out after frost when the soil is warm and weather is settled. Ideal seedlings have buds, but no open flowers. Space pepper plants 12-18" apart in rows 24-36" apart, or 2 rows on poly/paper mulch, 18" between plants. Water-in transplants using a high phosphorus solution.

ROW COVERS: Cold weather is buffered and earliness increased by using black plastic mulch, especially in combination with lightweight fabric row covers supported by wire hoops. Remove row covers in sunny weather above 85°F (29°C) to prevent blossom drop and heat damage.

INSECT PESTS: Control climbing cutworms with Bacillus thuringiensis, or with paper cylinder collars. Control tarnished plant bugs, aphids, and flea beetles with pyrethrin.

DISEASES AND PROBLEMS: To prevent bacterial spot and Phytophthora, drip irrigate only, plant only in well-drained soils, minimize soil compaction, and follow a 4-year crop rotation. Sunscald is caused by an inadequate foliage canopy. Prevent blossom end rot with adequate soil calcium and regular moisture. Big bushy plants with few peppers can be caused by an excess of nitrogen, hot or cold temperature extremes during the flowering period, tarnished plant bug injury, and choice of late, poorly-adapted varieties.

BACTERIAL SPOT NOTICE: Bacterial spot can be seedborne. All Johnny's pepper seed lots are tested for bacterial spot.

NOTE: A disease-free test result does not guarantee a seed lot to be disease-free, only that in the sample tested, the pathogen targeted was not found.

HARVEST AND STORAGE: Pick the first peppers promptly when they reach full size to encourage further fruit set. Wash and hold at 45°F (7°C) and 95% relative humidity.

DAYS TO MATURITY: Approximate days from transplanting outdoors to first pickings of full size fruit.

AVG. TRANSPLANT SEEDING RATE: Avg. 19 plants/ Pkt., 750 plants/1,000 seeds, 19,360 seeds per acre of transplants (avg. 14,520 plants), 12" between plants in rows 36" apart.

FREE GIFT when you order 5 items or more. Free gift is full of surprise seeds which may include single or mixed varieties.

Note: No tracking # will be provided to make the shipping cost-effective for us and free for you. Returns & exchanges Not accepted. But please contact me if you have problems with your order