Chilli Birds Eye Thai
Chilli Birds Eye Thai is originally from Africa but has gained fame all around the world for its fruity flavour and heat. Do not be fooled by its little size as whilst small, it is mighty and is a popular variety in Thai, Vietnamese and Indian dishes. A handy variety in cooler climates as it handles cool weather better than others. Will be full of fruit still in a Tasmanian hothouse in mid winter!
50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units.
I recommend adding some black plastic on top of the soil at planting to keep soil temperatures higher. This really helps in a cool climate.
Sow – Start on a heat mat or indoors in August, plant out after risk of frost and soils warmed (early November in cool climate). Can start earlier if planting in a hot house. Lay black plastic on ground and plant into an X cut-out if planting outside. They need consistent warmth in Tasmania.
Spacing – 60-80cm.
Capsicum fruits have been a part of human diets since about 7,500 BC, and are one of the oldest cultivated crops in the Americas, as origins of cultivating chili peppers are traced to east-central Mexico some 6,000 years ago. They were one of the first self-pollinating crops cultivated in Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America.
Germination: Optimal Soil temperature is 24 to 30 C (around 10 to 20 days to germination, longer at lower temps)
