- Tree chilli: origin and properties
- Buy tree chili: Thatyou should note
- Plant Tree Chili
- Tree chilli care
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The chili tree is a very special type of chili and a real eye-catcher. Here's how to properly plant and care for tree chillies.
Tree chillies (Capsicum pubescens) are a real eye-catcher in the garden or on the balcony. Many colorful chillies grow on a small trunk like on a small tree. Because this type of chili can live for many years and the trunk of the plant becomes woody, it is also called the chili tree. With a few tips and tricks, you can also grow this exotic plant at home. In our article you will learn where the tree chilli comes from and how to plant and care for it properly.
Tree chilli: origin and properties
The tree chili (sometimes also called chili tree) is a very special type of chili of the paprika genus (Capsicum). It is best known in Central and South America. However, it is also becoming increasingly popular with us. The species name pubescens means "hairy", referring to the leaves of the tree chilli, which are very hairy indeed. The tree chili has many different names depending on which part of the world you are in. In Bolivia and Peru it is called "Rocoto" and "Locoto". In Mexico, on the other hand, "Chile Manzano" and "Chile Peron". The Incas also appreciated the hot pods and cultivated the tree chili thousands of years ago. The spiciness is not only provided by the fruit itself, which can have a wide variety of colors, but also by the black seeds of the fruit.
The tree chili blooms in very beautiful, delicate purple flowers. In their tropical homeland, tree chillies can live up to 15 years and grow four meters tall. The fruits of the chili tree have different shapes, but are much smaller than "normal" chillies. The tree chili is used in the kitchen to season and refine dishes. The most well-known is probably the fiery, fruity-spicy salsa from Mexico, in which plenty of tree chillies are used. In Peru, the tree chilis are stuffed with meat and eaten as "Rocotto relleno".
Buy tree chili: Thatyou should note
When buying a chilli tree, you should make sure that you really buy a Capsicum pubescens plant. In many hardware stores and garden centers so-called "ornamental chillies" are offered, which give the impression of a small chilli tree. However, this is usually a variety of the species Capisum annum and not a real tree chili. So better double check and be on the safe side. The type of tree chilli should also be of interest when buying - this determines the shape and color of the fruit. Some interesting tree chilli varieties are:
- 'Chile de Seda': This tree chilli variety bears many small, yellow and elongated fruits.
- 'Rocoto Canario': This variety is also called Canary Rocoto and produces yellow round fruits.
- 'Rocoto Manzano': The so-called apple rocoto bears round red or orange fruits.
- ‘Rocoto Peron‘: The so-called pear rocoto convinces with its elongated red fruits.
- 'Rocoto Rojo': This variety bears red, round fruits.
When buying a chili tree, you should also make sure that the plant is in good he alth. The shrub should appear vigorous and he althy and free from pests or diseases.
Plant Tree Chili
Originally spoiled by the sun of Mexico, the tree chilli is not hardy. Therefore, it can only be grown in pots here. In winter, the plant can then move into a warm place in the pot. In summer, your chilli tree will be happy to have a place in the garden or on the terrace. However, this should be partially shaded. During flowering, the tree chili prefers to be completely in the shade. Then place the plant in a wind-protected, partially shaded location to mature. The substrate for the chili tree should be loose and nutritious. Tree chillies love a neutral, even slightly acidic pH. A pH value of 6.5 is optimal.
Chili Tree Location Claims:
- In the house in winter
- Outside in summer
- When flowering in the shade
- Otherwise in partial shade and sheltered from the wind
- Loose, nutrient-rich substrate
- pH of 6.5
Plant Chili Tree Instructions
Select a large enough pot for planting - a capacity of 10liters is sufficient. The entire root ball should have enough space to spread undisturbed. In addition, the pot should be equipped with a drainage hole and a drainage layer, for example made of potsherds or gravel. As a substrate, you can mix potting soil with compost, sand, horn shavings and lime. Our Plantura organic tomato & vegetable soil is also ideal for your chillies.
Plant tree chilli summary:
- Choose a sufficiently large plant pot
- Create drainage layer
- Mix potting soil
- Fill a third of the pot with substrate
- Insert the plant so that the root ball can develop sufficiently
- Fill the pot with substrate
- Water well
You can read general instructions for planting chilies here.
Tree chilli care
Only with proper care can the tree chili bring you a rich harvest of rocotos. Compared to other types of chili, the tree chili requires significantly more water. Especially at the time of flowering, you should keep the substrate in the pot constantly moist. Compared to other chili plants, the chili tree needs significantly more water. The flowering starts at the day-night equinox. Keep the saplings extra moist and shady during this time. During flowering, the tree chili should also not be exposed to wind or sun, as this will cause the flowers to drop. To pollinate the flowers, you can run a hair brush through all the flowers.
As soon as the first flowers appear, you can start fertilizing. Every 14 days, your tree chili will be happy about a mineral complete fertilizer. Alternatively, you can also work with organic long-term fertilizer. Here only one application of fertilizer is necessary after planting the tree chili and another after two months. For example, our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer with organic long-term effect offers optimal nutrients for your tree chilli. Everything else about fertilizing chillies can be found here in our special article.
If the chilli tree gets too big for you, you can cut it back in the spring before the plant sprout again. Spring is also the best time to repot. Before winter, you can then shorten the branches if there is not enough space in the winter quarters. The tree chili usually takes this very well. Also, you can be on the same trainremove wilted shoots and leaves. Even in winter, the tree chilli should not dry out, but fertilizing is not necessary in the winter months.
Tip: With our Plantura chili growing set, even garden novices can grow the hot peppers. In addition to five different types of chili, the set also includes detailed instructions.