Contents
The description
Ornamental pepper from South America, but today it is very popular as a house or balcony plant. It is part of the Solanaceae family, more precisely of the genus Capsicum. There are more than 50 species, very different from each other, they can be perennial or annual, erect or bushy, with particular needs or adaptable to different conditions. Moreover, the ornamental pepper It can be grown in pots or in the ground. Thanks to its brightly colored berries, in addition to wonderfully recreating flowerbeds and colorful corners, it is excellent for embellishing the home. In addition to being an ornamental plant, most peppers are edible, allowing you to prepare creative dishes with unique tastes.
Ornamental pepper: types
The most common peppers in the West are above all five in number and are distinguished by their size, shape and color. The most common is probably the ornamental pepperdwarf, about 30 cm in height with fruits ranging from red to purple (in addition to yellow and orange). The long cayenne pepper is about 50 cm high and has intense red fruits and can reach up to 15 cm. Abraccio is ideal for borders, the fruits are red to yellow, about 2cm long and borne in clusters. The pepper called Prussian Blue has a particularity that makes it unique in its kind: the berries are red when they are ripe, but take on a bluish tint when they are not yet ripe. The last type is the Colei, the most common with bright red colors, excellent for growing in pots. There is also another type of ornamental pepper called Capsicum frutescens ornamental, it is used in cooking thanks to its unique flavor,
Cultivated
The ornamental pepper can be grown outdoors in southern regions, while in colder regions it must be sheltered during the winter. In summer this plant requires a temperature that varies between 15° and 21°, while in winter it must maintain a temperature above 10°. the chilli must not be exposed to direct sunlight as the plant could be damaged, but it must have very diffused light (especially during the fruit ripening period). Watering should be moderate (remember to let the soil dry out between one watering and the next). Reproduction occurs in March (by seeds), and later the plants need to be transplanted into small pots (from the end of April to the beginning of May). The most common adversities can be:
Curiousity
Ornamental pepper arrived in Europe from Mexico in 1514 and was immediately used in the food sector as a spice and to flavor dishes. In our south he took the name of “Little Devil”. In fact, figuratively, it recalls the solar and purifying hells. It has stimulating, antiseptic, disinfectant and digestive properties. It can also be used for various pathologies such as respiratory malformations, rheumatism, for the treatment of bronchitis and blood vessels. With chili you can also prepare cosmetics and body care products. The name may derive from the Latin, capsa, as a box; or from the Greek capta, which means to bite. There are many recipes using chilli: Mexicans use it for tortillas and Africans for yucca. In Italy, you cannot miss the pasta: the garlic,