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James H. Schutte
Solanaceae
CAPSICUM annuum 'Diablo Grande'( Longum Group)
Chile Pepper, Diablo Grande Pepper
A banana-type chili pepper that packs plenty of heat, 'Diablo Grande' is several times hotter than jalapeno and serrano peppers. It is one of numerous members of the Longum group, which encompasses poblanos, serranos, jalapenos, cayenne peppers and various other chilis. These annual vegetables descend from varieties that were grown and selected by Native Americans for thousands of years.
The bushy, knee-high plants bear thin, oval, dark green leaves on stiff brittle stems. Inconspicuous white flowers appear in warm weather, followed by pendent, narrowly conical, often crescent-shaped fruits with relatively thick crisp flesh that ripens from yellow-green to red. The hollow, chambered interior is divided by spongy ribbing which supports many small, flattened, rounded seeds, which are hotter than the fruit's flesh. Fruits may be harvested green or allowed to mature to full color. Dried red chilis are some 10 times hotter than fresh green ones.
This warm season vegetable grows easily in favorable conditions. Full sun, warmth, ample spacing, and fertile well-drained soil are required for good growth and fruit production. Harvest begins about 80 days after seedlings are planted. Vascular wilts and fungal diseases can be a problem in subpar conditions. Pinch off early flower buds to encourage stronger branching and roots. Heavily fruiting plants may break apart under the weight if not staked for support. Keep fruit picked off daily to encourage new blossoms to form. This chili pepper is delicious fresh, cooked, or pickled.
The heat in pepper fruit is produced by a chemical called capsaicin, which is measured in scaled units called Scoville units. The purer the capsaicin the hotter the pepper and higher the Scoville rating. The pepper’s seeds and inner lining carry more heat than the flesh of the fruit.
Scoville Scale: http://www.chilliworld.com/FactFile/Scoville_Scale.asp
12 - 1
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
20"-26" / 50.8cm - 66.0cm
15"-20" / 38.1cm - 50.8cm
Indeterminate
Mexico, Central America, South America
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam
Fast
Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer, Fall
Insignificant
White
Yellow, Red, Green, Purple, Orange, Chocolate
Green, Dark Green
Green, Dark Green, Black
No
Yes
Single
Medium
Glossy
Bedding Plant, Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Tropical
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