Green chiles can range from mild to very hot, depending on the type of chile plant.
Green chiles, which can be a number of different types of peppers including jalapeno, cayenne, mirasol and ancho, are simply the immature version of the red chile. The green chile is usually preferred by those who want a milder flavor than the red version. Chile plants grow best in hot climates, like the southwestern United States.
Instructions
1. Fertilize the area you plan to grow the chile plants by adding low-nitrogen fertilizer. You will want to have some nitrogen in the soil, but not too much, since it will kill the chiles. Avoid having more than 20 ppm of nitrate in the soil. You can check the amount of nitrate by running a soil test at your local Cooperative Extension office.
2. Fill planting trays with seed-starting soil in late winter in cool climate. In areas with long growing seasons, seeds may be direct sown outdoors in mid spring, when the soil temperature reaches 75 degrees. Plant no later than May 30 for a good harvest. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep. Keep the seeds consistently moist until they germinate.
You will want to plant a lot of seeds since chile plants to compensate for problems with the plant themselves including potential issues with cold or plant viruses. Chile peppers like a lot of sunlight, so plant them in a sunny area. Pepper seedlings should be thinned to 2 feet apart and planted in rows 2 feet apart to allow for appropriate air circulation.
3. Water your plants using the watering can. Your soil should be moist but not soggy. Chile plants should only be watered every five to during dry seasons and seven to 14 days when raining, depending on the amount of rain you get. Over-watering can create problems, including rot, on your chile plants.
4. Harvest your chiles by pulling them gently off the plant. They will be ready when the chile is about 6 inches long, firm and bluntly pointed. Generally this is 120 days from when your first planted your seeds and about 50 days after the first flowers appear on your chile plant.
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