Hangjiao 5 Helix Nebula Chili Pepper

Hangjiao 5 Helix Nebula is a chili from the Chinese space project. The goal of the Space Project is to find a solution to handle the increased demand for food in China with its growing population. In 1987 a scientist with the Chinese Academy of Sciences named Jiang Xingcun discovered that the mutation rate of seeds increases a hundredfold if they are sent into space orbit for some time. The mutation resulted in larger fruit, yields but also increased nutritional value. By now China has sent around 400 plant seed species to space. Helix Nebula produces quite compact plants around 50-60cm in height and spreads around 40-50cm widthwise. Heavy yielder of bright-red fruits up to 20-30cm long. Some straight growing and some quite curled. Juicy and thin-walled fruits. Medium hot, around 5000 – 8.000 SHU. Capsicum annuum. Mid-season. 10seeds/pack

Normally chili pepper plants, grow to about 50-70cm high, but also lower varieties exist only about 20cm high. Also, higher varieties up to 100-150 can be found. The spacing between the plants depends on their size, the larger plant the more spacing is needed. The flavor ranges from very mild to extremely hot, some tasting of lemon, fruity flavor, or more spicy. Can be used fresh and raw in salads etc, cooked or fermented into sauce, dried to powder, filled and heated in the oven and much more.

How to Grow

Capsicum are quite heat-demanding plants. In a cooler climate, a protected area or a greenhouse is recommended. Sow indoors in sterilized potting soil, about 0,5cm - 1cm deep. Capsicum seeds are NOT light germinating and they might dry out if sown on top of the soil. The best temperature for germination is about 22-30°C. Capsicum takes quite a long time to germinate, in general about 10-30 days. After germination, lower the temperature to around 18°C. Capsicum is quite slow and requires a long season to produce fruit. Sow between 2-5 months before planting outdoors, depending on your own conditions. Can be pruned for more compact plants.