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Plant Informational Database

Cobincho Pepper

Capsicum exile

a.k.a. Capsicum chacoense

A rare wild pepper commonly listed as a distinct species (Capsicum exile), though it may well be a variant of another wild pepper, Capsicum chacoense. Yields small, orange-red colored fruits with a hot flavor.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Cobincho Pepper. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in January 2015.

Description

Small, shrubby growth similar to standard peppers, to 2-4 feet. The leaves are smaller than most common varieties. Flowers are also small, white, similar to C. annuum. Fruits grow to to 1/2-3/4" long, with a sort of straight, blunted and oval shape.

Hardiness

Not frost hardy. Can be overwintered in warm areas.

Growing Environment

Grows nicely in full or filtered sun. Not too picky about exacting conditions, though humidity and moderate water would seem to encourage strong growth. This species also grows fairly well indoors and is easy to overwinter for added fruit production in following years.

Propagation

By seeds, which can be quite slow and occasionally difficult to germinate.

Germination Info

The wild peppers are some of the slowest of all hot peppers to sprout. Germination is also erratic, with varying germination times for individual seeds in a single batch. Allow a minimum of 2-3 months for germination.

Start seeds in small containers from 8-10 weeks prior to the last frost date. Plant seeds approximately 1/4-1/2" deep in moist, well drained potting soil. Most standard soil mixes are suitable for pepper seeds. Soil temperature must be kept at 75-90F for proper germination. Cool soil, particularly at night can inhibit or significantly delay germination. To keep soil temperature warm, start seeds indoors, in a greenhouse and/or use a seed starting heat mat. Keep soil moderately moist, though not overly, dripping wet. Water soil when the soil surface just begins to dry. Allow proper air circulation for containers.

Optionally, seeds can be dipped in a dilute hydrogen peroxide mix (1 tsp hydrogen peroxide per cup water) for one minute to disinfect seeds prior to planting. If your soil or seed setup is susceptible to mold growth this can be useful to kill mold spores.

Once seedlings have sprouted, keep in small containers until a few sets of leaves have developed. Transplant to larger containers or outdoors. If transplanting outdoors, make sure to harden off seedlings by exposing them to only filtered sunlight for up to 1-2 weeks. Thin plants to 3-4 ft and rows to 6-10 ft.

Estimated germination time under optimal conditions: 2-4 months

Uses

Fruits can be used like standard hot peppers and have a fairly hot flavor. As it is a wild pepper and of a different species than common peppers, it also makes a popular ornamental and collector's plant.

Native Range

Native to Bolivia.

Related Species

Solanaceae  
Acnistus arborescens
Wild Tobacco
Brugmansia arborea
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia aurea
Golden Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia candida
White Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia sanguinea
Red Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia suaveolens
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia versicolor
Orange Angel's Trumpet
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum exile
Cobincho Pepper
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum galapagoense
Galapagos Island Pepper
Capsicum praetermissum
Cumari
Capsicum rhomboideum
Capsicum rhomboideum
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