Grow Your Own Ghost Peppers
Bhut Jolokia Pepper Plant Seeds

Experience the full force of nature's fiery in a single bite of a fresh Jolokia pepper!

10-15 Bhut Jolokia seeds per packet (Capsicum Chinense).

The Bhut Jolokia (a.k.a Ghost Pepper, Naga Jolokia, Bih Jolokia, Dorset Naga, and Cobra Pepper) is the hottest pepper in the world. The spiciest form of the pepper is the fresh chili pepper pod. So new to the market, there are very few fresh peppers for sale. If you've got a green thumb, this can be a rewarding crop!

Speaking from our own experience and that of others, growing this pepper is not for the beginning gardener. Here are some tips to help grow your own ghost peppers from seed:

• Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before it is safe to plant in the garden.
• Jolokia seeds require soil temperatures between 80-90 degrees F for proper germination. We use a seedling heat mat.
• Soil must be kept moderately moist; never allow it to dry out completely and never let it get too soggy. This will destroy the seeds and they won't germinate.
• Jolokia seeds can take up to 36 days to germinate, and then may take another 160 days until you're picking peppers.
• When the outside temperature averages 70 degrees F during the day and 55 at night, start taking them outside for a couple hours a day, increasing their time outside by a couple hours a day until they are out all day.
• Soil pH should be 6.5. Use a balanced fertilizer (5-10-5 or 10-10-10). Don't use too much nitrogen; this can cause blossom drop (meaning less peppers).
• Water during dry spells, at least 2" a week, especially after peppers are on the plant.
• If you're having problems with the flowers dropping off before peppers grow, here are a few reasons:
  • Air temperatures over 95?F will cause the pollen to abort and subsequent flower drop.
  • Too much nitrogen in the soil causes the foliage to grow too much and flowers will drop off.
  • Certain disease or pests, as well as stress will also cause flower drop.