Cayenne peppers not turning red – this is a problem gardeners face with.
Cayenne pepper plants are also known as Guinea spice, cow-horn peppers, alive, or bird peppers, but are more popularly known as red pepper in powdered form, which is used to flavor food in a variety of cuisines and for medical purposes.
The spiciness of cayenne pepper makes it a favorite among spicy eaters. Cayenne pepper has a high vitamin C level, even comparable to citrus fruits, which is, of course, very healthy for your health.
Many people will be interested in producing cayenne pepper because it is one of the most popular peppers on the market and there is always a high demand for it.
However, if planted or improperly cared for, your peppers will not grow normally. The next section will reveal the reasons for you.
Cayenne peppers not turning red?
There are a variety of reasons why peppers do not turn red in my garden. Please have a look at the reasons I’ve listed below.
1. Time is not enough
When cultivating cayenne peppers for the first time, this is a common mistake. It’s possible that you followed the directions when planting your plant.
It’s probable that your packaging’s time duration is around 6 weeks. This is not the case, however. What I mean is that after the six-week time, your pepper will mature. However, only enough for you to eat.
Cayenne peppers take a long time to fully develop and mature. The green pepper will need another 2-3 weeks to turn color after it has grown. It will turn from green to yellow to scarlet in color.
As a result, you’ll have to wait. If your pepper is large, it will take longer than 3 weeks to ripen. As a result, wait another week or two to see how things turn out.
Use a different choice the following time if you want them to change color quickly. The best are usually those with a diameter of 2-5 inches and a length of 2-6 inches!
2. You choose the wrong variety
Another reason your pepper isn’t turning red could be because of this. Even if you’ve been waiting for more than two weeks after the deadline has passed.
It’s possible that the pepper you’re using will never turn red. Your plant, on the other hand, is in perfect condition. It’s just one of the varieties, and even once it’s ripe, it’s still green. Some of them change color to yellow, orange, dark brown, and other hues.
For the time being, you can use green cayenne peppers. Choose plants that will turn crimson when you’re replanting. Make sure to request the red variety from your merchant or read carefully on the packaging.
Learn more in our article about How to Tell What Kind of Pepper Plant You Have
3. Temperature is too cold or too hot
The conditions in which these plants thrive are extremely important to them. As a result, in order for the plant to mature properly, your temperature must be warm.
The plant’s color shift is also aided by the dampness. If the weather is too cold, the plant may struggle to change color.
These plants grow when the temperature is high. A temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal during the day.
If the temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant may be injured. It’s possible that the plant will lose its flowers, resulting in yellow leaves. It’s possible that it won’t have the opportunity to develop.
Plants will also be injured if the temperature rises above 90 degrees. As a result, you should start planting your peppers 12-16 weeks before the first frost. If you’re growing the plants indoors, keep the temperature consistent with your heating system.
For details read our article – How Much Sunlight Do Pepper Plants Need? Learn to Care For Them Well!
4. Pest infestation
As the pepper matures, it changes color from green to yellow to red. You may have an aphid infestation if your pepper is discolored and yellowed in areas.
The fluids from the leaves are consumed by these bugs. This explains why your plant has a discolored appearance. Additionally, these aphids have the ability to kill your plant.
Apply insecticidal oil or soap to keep the aphids at bay. Simply saturate both sides of the leaves with one of the two options and spray them down.
Inviting aphid-eating bugs into your garden is also a good idea. Lacewing larvae, soldier beetles, parasitic wasps, and lady beetles are all suspected of being involved.
These are the most typical causes of your plant’s failure to turn crimson. As a result, to properly care for your plant, follow the directions below.
Read more: Tiny Black Spots on Pepper Leaves and How to Get Rid Of Them!
Useful Tips To Grow Cayenne Peppers
- Heat is required to grow cayenne pepper plants. In its native habitat of subtropical and tropical climates, chilies are typically perennial.
- You can direct sow seeds in the garden 10 to 14 days before the last frost date if you live in a region with a long growing season and plenty of sun.
- Chilies are produced as annuals in temperate climates, thus it’s better to start cayenne pepper plants from seed indoors or in a greenhouse.
- They are quite sensitive and react poorly to extremes in temperature.
- Sow the seeds in a light, well-drained soil mix and keep them in a sunny area with a temperature of at least 60 degrees F for 16 to 20 days until they sprout.
- Allow the growing cayenne pepper seedlings to progressively acclimatize or harden to outside conditions by planting them in flats spaced 2 to 3 inches apart or in individual pots.
- Outdoor transplantation should take place six to eight weeks after the seeds are sown, or after all risk of frost has passed; however, if you wish to transplant before the weather is frost-free, row covers should be used to protect the plants.
- If necessary, treat the soil with fertilizer or organic compound before transplanting the cayenne pepper plants in full sun to largely full sun location, avoiding too much nitrogen. In a row, space your pepper babies 18 to 24 inches apart.
- Cayenne peppers require moist soil, but be careful not to overwater them. The foliage may yellow if the soil is saturated, or if it is excessively dry.
- Organic mulch or plastic sheeting can help you save time and money by reducing weeding and conserving water. However, you shouldn’t use organic mulch until the soil has reached 75 degrees F.
- In about 70 to 80 days, cayenne peppers will be ready to harvest.
- Cayenne pepper will be 4 to 6 inches long when ready, and will readily remove from the stem, though it is best to clip from the plant to avoid any harm.
- Some of the fruit will be green, partially green, or pigmented, and should be refrigerated at 55 degrees F.
Final thoughts
Your question has been answered. Hope the above article provides you with all the necessary information. Take care of your chili plants according to the instructions to get the desired results.