Chiltepin
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Also known asTepin · Bird's beak chile (literal Nahuatl) · Chile mosquito · Chile pequin (related cultivar group)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Perlite (Expanded volcanic glass) | neutral / inert | very low | 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 | 1.6 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.2 |
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
Similar to chile pequin but even fussier about germination. The hard seed coat makes germination slow and unreliable, three to eight weeks; cold stratification, light scarification with sandpaper, or a gibberellic acid soak all help. Hold EC around 1.6-2.4 mS/cm and pH 5.8-6.5. Being a desert plant it wants sustained heat, 24–35°C, and high light, 20-32 mol/m2/day; in the wild it grows in partial shade under nurse trees but in cultivation does well in full light. Plants are small, 30–60 cm, and once established set tiny round fruits prolifically. They are perennial where frost-free, the woody base living for years. Harvest red fruits individually, which is tedious given the size, and dry them in a single layer on screens, where they dry fast. The high value of dried chiltepin makes it a surprisingly economical specialty crop, and its intense, brief, smoky-fruity heat has no real substitute.