Aji dulce
Capsicum chinense
Also known asAji cachucha · Cachucha pepper · Aji gustoso · Sweet habanero
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 9–13 (winter low around -7°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | low |
| Rockwool (Mineral wool) | alkaline until pre-soaked | very high | low |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.2 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.8 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.2 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.4 |
Companion-growing notes
- Heavy uptake of potassium, calcium. Co-grown crops with the same demand will end up deficient even at "correct" EC.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A good fit for indoor hydroponics thanks to its small size. Hold EC near 1.8-2.6 mS/cm and pH around 5.8-6.5. It wants heat, roughly 22–32°C; growth slows below about 18°C and frost kills it. Give full sun or strong light, on the order of 20-30 mol/m2/day. The compact habit suits deep water culture, Dutch bucket, or NFT. Pods are small, about 3–5 cm, and set heavily on well-fed plants. Pick them once fully coloured, roughly 90 to 110 days from transplant. Steady calcium and magnesium head off blossom end rot and leaf yellowing. Kept above about 15°C the plant carries on as a perennial and can crop for two years or more. Airflow keeps fungal trouble down. For cooks, it delivers the habanero-family aroma without the heat, which no C. annuum sweet pepper really matches, and a single plant can yield 50 to 100 or more small fruits across a season.