Capsicum frutescens BIRD EYE CHILI (10 seeds)

Bird's eye chili, also known as pili-pili pepper, is a very small chili pepper belonging to the Solanaceae family. There are approximately 2,500 different species of peppers worldwide. Unfortunately, it is not hardy. It reaches a height of about 30 cm.

The bird's eye chili grows as a small, compact, and branched bush. Its habit is upright and dense, making it as ornamental as it is productive. Its woody structure at the base provides good stability, allowing it to support the weight of its numerous small fruits that point toward the sky.

Its leaves are deep green, lanceolate in shape, and slightly pointed at the tip. They are smooth, glossy, and arranged alternately along thin but rigid stems. The fruits are characteristic for their small size (two to three centimeters) and their vertical growth. Initially green, they turn a brilliant red at full maturity, signaling their aromatic power and intense heat. Their skin is smooth and thin, enclosing small circular seeds that concentrate a large part of the condiment's heat.

Pili-pili seeds come from Capsicum frutescens; they are yellow, particularly small compared to other varieties, and measure only a few millimeters in diameter.

- Uses:

This variety is distinguished by its fruits that grow pointing upward. It is world-renowned and serves as a pillar of Reunion, Caribbean, African, and Asian cuisines. It has a dry, slightly peppery taste, offering a sharp heat that "wakes up" food. On the Scoville scale, this chili is classified as "hot" with a rating of 8, making it particularly pungent.

It is a kitchen essential, notably in spicy oils for pizzas and grills. It is used fresh for marinades and exotic dishes, but it can also be dried and ground. This variety is easy to grow, remaining compact and highly decorative, making it perfect for pots on balconies or terraces.

Note on the name: Birds eat these peppers as they are insensitive to the burn of capsaicin, subsequently dispersing the seeds in the wild. It is likely from this form of natural dissemination that the name "Bird's Eye Chili" emerged.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The ideal time to sow bird's eye chili is in mid-May when temperatures are sufficiently warm.
• Soak the seeds for 12 hours in lukewarm water before planting to break dormancy and accelerate germination.
• Prepare a seed tray with sowing compost. Scatter the seeds on top and bury them under 2 to 3 millimeters of substrate.
• Water the culture copiously.
• Place under a germination greenhouse at a temperature near 30°C.
• Germination for this variety is relatively long, averaging 4 to 5 weeks after sowing.

- Substrate:

Bird's eye chili requires light soil, very rich in organic matter, and perfectly drained. A mix of quality potting soil, decomposed compost, and a bit of river sand is ideal for root development. It avoids heavy, compact soils that retain water, as root asphyxiation is fatal to the plant.

- Exposure:

This condiment plant needs full sun to flower and allow the fruits to ripen. It requires at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to develop its characteristic heat. Indoors or in a greenhouse, it must be placed behind a very bright glass pane to prevent the stems from becoming leggy (etiolation).

- Temperatures:

The pili-pili plant is very cold-sensitive and cannot tolerate any frost; growth stops as soon as temperatures drop below 10°C. It thrives ideally between 20°C and 30°C. In non-tropical regions, it is grown as an annual or must be brought indoors by autumn.

- Watering:

Watering should be regular but moderate: the substrate should dry on the surface between waterings. It is crucial not to wet the foliage to prevent the development of fungal diseases. A lack of water can cause flowers to drop, while excess water turns leaves yellow and rots the roots.

- Pests and Diseases:

The plant is sensitive to powdery mildew and downy mildew if the air is too humid and stagnant. Aphids and red spider mites are its main enemies, especially in greenhouses or heated interiors. High humidity combined with heat can also encourage damping-off in seedlings or bacterial wilt.