Anaheim chile
Capsicum annuum
Also known asNew Mexico chile · Hatch chile (specifically grown in Hatch, NM) · California chile (dried form) · Long green chile
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates. Strict on light; outside the DLI band, yields drop sharply.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 5–12 (winter low around -29°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 productive hydroponic pepper for growers who want large, mild chiles for roasting and stuffing. EC 2.0-3.0 mS/cm. pH 5.8-6.5. Temperature: 21–29°C. Full sun or strong supplemental light (DLI 18-25 mol/m2/day). Plants are medium-sized (60–80 cm) and produce well in Dutch bucket, DWC, or drip systems. Fruits are large and heavy; support the main stems with stakes or cages as fruit load increases. Harvest green for fresh use (70-80 days from transplant) or let fruits ripen to red for drying (90-100 days). Calcium supplementation prevents blossom end rot on the large fruits. Potassium and magnesium are important during fruiting. Anaheim chiles are heavy producers: a well-fed plant yields 15-25 fruits over a season. For fire-roasted green chile (the New Mexican staple), harvest when fruits are full-sized and dark green, then char the skin on a grill or under a broiler. The thick walls hold up well to roasting. A practical and rewarding hydroponic pepper crop. Green chile season (August-September in New Mexico) is a cultural event in the southwestern US, with roadside roasting operations filling the air with the distinctive smoky aroma. Growing Anaheim or New Mexican chiles hydroponically extends the season and provides roasting-quality peppers outside the traditional growing region. The thick-walled fruits hold up well to freezing: roast, peel, and freeze in flat bags for year-round green chile use.
Notable varieties
| Cultivar | Type | Origin | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | open pollinated | 75 | The original California variety, mild (500-1,000 Scoville). What most supermarket 'Anaheim peppers' are. Productive, easy. | |
| NuMex Big Jim | open pollinated | New Mexico State University, 1975 | 80 | The largest New Mexico chile (up to 30 cm), Guinness record holder. Moderate heat (2,500-3,000 Scoville). The classic chile relleno pepper for New Mexicans. |
| NuMex Sandia | open pollinated | New Mexico State University, 1956 | 80 | Hotter than Anaheim (5,000-8,000 Scoville), thinner walls, the variety most Hatch Valley growers plant. Skin slips easily after roasting. |
| NuMex Joe E. Parker | open pollinated | New Mexico State University, 1990 | 80 | Disease-improved Anaheim type, moderate heat (1,500-3,000), the most-grown New Mexico chile for home and small commercial use. |