How to Grow Hot Pepper 'Joe's Long Cayenne'

Soil, care & harvest

Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure optimal growth. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the soil is thoroughly warm before planting outdoors. Start seeds indoors six weeks prior to your expected frost date if local conditions are too cold yet. Sow seeds about one-quarter inch deep; they typically sprout within ten to fourteen days.

Space plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart in full sun for at least six hours daily. While this variety does not require staking, provide support if stems become heavy with fruit. Water consistently to supply about an inch per week, allowing the topsoil to dry slightly between sessions. Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the base and feed regularly during the active growing season.

Watch for aphids, spider mites, pepper weevil, and thrips; inspect leaves frequently and use insecticidal soap if needed. Prevent bacterial spot, anthracnose, and tobacco mosaic virus by practicing crop rotation and removing infected plants immediately. Harvest the long peppers seventy to eighty days after planting when they reach full color and size.