Growing Capsicum baccatum: ají peppers
Our guide first, then the quoted facts, linked to their sources.
Quoted facts about growing Capsicum baccatum from 3 source publications.
Our guide written by Pepperheads
Oregon State describes baccatum flowers as yellow or cream with gold or green at the base, and Missouri says the flowers are distinguished by a green-yellow corolla ring. Oregon State says the fruit hang down and puts the heat at 30,000 to 50,000 SHU, with a piney to citrus-like fruity flavor.
Oregon State says baccatum types originate from lowland areas of southern South America and can be grown outdoors with season extension aids like plastic row covers, and that the species benefits from being grown in a greenhouse. Missouri describes vigorous plants that produce hot fruits of many shapes.
Lemon Drop and Bishop’s Crown appear on both the Oregon State and Illinois Extension cultivar lists. The displayed quotations do not give a baccatum-specific germination temperature, spacing or days to maturity. See also our growing basics.
The sourced facts
Heat and flavor
C. baccatum are hot peppers with a piney to citrus-like fruity flavor (30,000 to 50,000 SHU).
Fruit habit
Fruit hang down rather than grow upright, like C. frutescens.
Telling it apart
This species shares many characteristics with C. chinense but has a unique flower color (yellow/cream with gold or green at the base).
This species is characterized by vigorous plants that produce hot fruits of many shapes. Its flowers are distinguished by a green-yellow corolla ring.
Cultivars
Cultivars include Aji Rico, Bishop’s Crown, Lemon Drop, Sugar Rush Hot Peach and Sweet Piquanté.
C. baccatum Bishop’s Crown, Lemon Drop
Origin
C. baccatum types originate from lowland areas of southern South America.
Season extension
This species can be grown outdoors with season extension aids like plastic row covers, but it definitely benefits from being grown in a greenhouse.
What our sources don't cover
We looked for these and didn't find them for this type in the sources above, so we don't state them: a baccatum-specific germination temperature; baccatum-specific spacing; days to maturity for baccatum cultivars. For general germination, hardening-off and spacing figures, see our growing basics.
Heat: open the Scoville explorer for variety-specific quotations.
More guides: Capsicum annuum · Capsicum chinense · Capsicum pubescens · Capsicum frutescens · Indoors and overwintering