Rocoto Manzano Red Chili Seeds

Info: Rocoto is the South American term for the chillies from the Capsicum pubescens species, while “Manzano” means apple-shaped. “Pubescens” means “hairy” and comes from the fact that the leaves of the plants are hairy. The clearest differentiator to other species are the violet coloured, decorative flowers. It is worth overwintering Rocotos, as they can reach quite a high age. Because their stems lignify quickly, they are also referred to as “tree chillies”. The Rocoto plants can tolerate the cooler nights of the Central European climate. With good care and the right conditions, Rocotos  can live for 10 years or more.

The Rocoto Manzano Red fruits are thick-walled and juicy, and have a fantastic, fruity flavour which is reminiscent of apples. In South American countries they also have the nickname “Gringo killer” due to their spiciness. The Rocotos are excellent for making into salsas or for baking with various fillings. The most well-known recipe (Rocoto relleno - stuffed Rocotos) comes from Peru: Rocoto halves are pickled in milk overnight and then filled with mince, hard boiled and chopped eggs, and topped with cheese.

Care: The germination temperature is between 20 und 28°C (7 - 20 day germination period), therefore the use of a greenhouse and a heating mat is recommended. The plants need fresh, well-fertilised, permeable soil, and do not tolerate waterlogging. They should be planted in a sunny, protected place with at least 6 hours of sunlight - preferably more. Put the plants outside approx. 2 to 3 weeks after the last frost. As the plants have a long ripening time and are perennial, they should be cultivated in pots, so that the plants can be brought inside when the temperature falls below 10°C during the day. To overwinter after the harvest cut back by 20 cm and put them in a light place with a temperature of at least 15°C.

You can find plenty of useful tips for successfully growing chili plants in our Chili Growing Guide and in the Chili Journal.