Fatalii
Capsicum chinense
Also known asFatali · African devil pepper
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 | 2 |
| flowering | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.4 |
| fruiting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2.6 |
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
Culture is identical to other Capsicum chinense varieties (habanero, datil, Scotch bonnet). EC 2.0-3.0 mS/cm. pH 5.5-6.5. Temperature: 24–32°C (requires sustained warmth). High light (DLI 18-25 mol/m2/day). Plants are medium-sized (50–80 cm) and produce well in DWC, Dutch bucket, or drip systems. Long season: 90-120 days from transplant to ripe fruit. Hand-pollination improves fruit set indoors. Calcium supplementation during fruiting prevents blossom end rot. The bright yellow fruits are visually distinctive and dry to a deep gold. For hot sauce, the citrusy flavor profile pairs well with tropical fruits (mango, pineapple) and vinegar bases. A yellow fatalii hot sauce is both visually and gastronomically distinct from red-pepper-based sauces. Handle with gloves; the capsaicin concentration is high enough to cause skin irritation. Each plant produces 20-40 fruits under good conditions. Seeds are available from superhot pepper seed specialists. The plants are perennial in warm conditions. A top choice for hot sauce makers who want extreme heat combined with genuine flavor complexity.