Bishop's crown
Capsicum baccatum
Also known asChristmas bell · Nepalese bell · Joker's hat · Friar's hat · Ubatuba
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 specialty pepper for hobby hydroponic growers after something unusual. Hold EC around 1.8-2.6 mS/cm and pH 5.8-6.5. Keep it warm, 22–30°C, as the baccatum group likes heat, with high light on the order of 22-32 mol/m2/day. Plants are large and benefit from staking or caging. The long season, roughly 100 to 120 days to ripe fruit, makes it best for greenhouse or indoor growing where the season can be stretched. Fruiting is moderate, 15 to 30 fruits per plant, each 15–30 g. In the kitchen, separate the sweet wing lobes for salads, salsa or raw eating from the hotter central core for sauces or heat. Keep calcium steady through fruiting to prevent blossom end rot. It yields less per square metre than conventional peppers, but the unusual fruit dries well and makes attractive kitchen or holiday decorations.