Yellow Peruvian Tree Pepper

This perennial tree species of pepper is a separate species of pepper found in the mountains of Peru. its high elevation status as well as its unique tree like growth to 15 ft. or more make it a unique species to grow. The bright red or yellow hot fleshy peppers are not for drying but used to add both flavor and heat to any dish. What makes this particular seed strain so wonderful is the yellow coloration which we believe is a lost heirloom variety known for its flavor. This is a hot one too but it would be below a cayenne pepper similar to a Manzano pepper. 

Growing it like an annual is OK but the real yields increase in the second year going from 8-10 peppers to 30-40 peppers on 2 year plants. This is when the root system is much more supportive of the crop.  Luckily this species is very shade tolerant as well and can be kept indoors in the winter despite low light conditions. The tree will cycle just like a dormancy period and when you take it outdoors in the second year, the pollinators will go to work on it and a full set of peppers will set on this self fertile plant.  This is a very cold tolerant species pepper which has done well in our cold, windy and wet springs in southern Michigan.

To germinate the seed:  The seed like to sprout under warm moist conditions and like any pepper seed is prone to damp off so use good well drained soil mix. Plant seed under 1/8 inch soil and keep moist. Seeds are slow to germinate but eventually will pop up over a month period. Some will sprout within a week, others much longer.