{"product_id":"sweet-datil-mild-pepper-seeds","title":"Sweet Datil Mild Pepper Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eSweet Datil Pepper Seeds — Rare Florida Heirloom, Fruity Heat, St. Augustine Native Chili\u003cbr\u003eCaspsicum chinense\u003cbr\u003eListing is for 1 packet with a minimum of 15 seeds\u003cbr\u003e🌶️ Variety Note: Sweet Datil peppers mature to a vibrant red and are noticeably milder than the standard Hot Datil, which ripens to golden orange and produces a longer, distinctly shaped pod.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out my tutorial on how to grow peppers from seed: \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9j74wQpahsA\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/9j74wQpahsA\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCheck out my tutorial on how to transplant peppers for maximum production: \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hqkwOP-ci9M\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/hqkwOP-ci9M\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeet the Sweet Datil Pepper — one of Florida's most legendary and elusive heirloom treasures, and a seed with a story as rich as its flavor. A member of the \u003cem\u003eCapsicum chinense\u003c\/em\u003e family, the Datil pepper is primarily grown in and around St. Augustine, Florida, ripening from olive green through lime yellow to a glowing golden orange, with mature pods measuring 3–4 cm long. What sets the Datil apart from its habanero cousins is its extraordinary balance of intense fruity heat and surprising sweetness — you may catch notes of apricot or citrus before the slow-building burn blooms. For over 200 years, local Minorcan families have saved and re-planted these seeds, making the Datil a true heirloom crop — a small, golden-orange chili about the size of your thumb that thrives in sandy soil, hot sun, and coastal humidity. Grow this piece of Florida heritage in full sun with well-draining soil; plants reach 2–3 feet tall with a bushy, multi-trunked habit, spaced roughly 3 feet apart, and take approximately 100–120 days from seeding to first fruit. Seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 75–80°F, taking 10–20 days to sprout, and are best started indoors in late winter before transplanting once temperatures warm. Best suited for USDA Zones 9–11, though they can also be grown as a perennial in containers, producing peppers all through summer and fall. Celebrated as \"the pepper of St. Augustine,\" the Datil is a staple of Minorcan cuisine, beloved in hot sauces, jellies, relishes, salsas, and the region's famous Minorcan clam chowder. These seeds are a rare find — grow your own taste of Old Florida history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeppers are slow to germinate and slow to start growing to transplant size. I recommend to start seeds in pots\/trays with a heat mat to speed up germination. Then start fertilizing weekly with half strength fertilizer once the first set of true leaves appear. Peppers are similar to tomatoes in that they like plenty of water and are heavy feeders. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeppers are perennial plants and can produce for several years if taken care of. In cold climates trim off all the leaves and bring in doors in a pot to over winter. Place back out doors once temperatures are nice and warm. In mild climates, pepper plants can be left out doors and might need to be covered on the coldest nights. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal Growing Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun: \u003c\/strong\u003e8 hours of full sun. Cover with 40% shade cloth during the summer if the days are consistently over 90F. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater: \u003c\/strong\u003eLet the soil dry out a little in-between watering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eRegular applications of an organic granular fertilizer, like \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/491Xl1f\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEspoma Tomato-Tone\u003c\/a\u003e will help speed up growth and increase production. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen To Sow Seeds: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eSow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e seeds indoors as early as 8 weeks before your last spring frost date all throughout spring time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eHot climate (no snow areas), can also sow seeds indoors during the summer to plant for a fall crop. Sow 2-3 seeds, 1\/4 inch deep, in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4sdr6VB\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e4 inch pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e or solo cups with drainage holes cut out of the bottom, filled with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/44HHNyw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eseed starting mix\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e. Use \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/48QfFM6\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eheat mats\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4jbPy5P\" target=\"_blank\"\u003egrow lights\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e to speed up germination and growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"cvGsUA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eHow to sow pepper seeds:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9j74wQpahsA\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/9j74wQpahsA\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"cvGsUA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eHow to transplant peppers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hqkwOP-ci9M\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/hqkwOP-ci9M\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10-14 days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays To Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100-120 days after transplanting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow \u0026amp; When To Harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peppers can be harvested at any color stage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan\u003eThe most common disease when growing peppers is bacterial spot, often proliferated by consistently wet conditions and plant leaves. Spray with 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water to clean and disinfect. Repeat every 3 to 5 days until you notice the spread has stopped. If a lot of rain is expected, pre-treatment will help to prevent diseases. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Pests:\u003c\/strong\u003e Whiteflies and mealybugs are common sap-sucking pests on pepper plants. Whiteflies gather on the undersides of leaves, causing yellowing and leaf drop, while mealybugs, covered in a white, cotton-like wax, weaken plants and produce sticky honeydew that attracts sooty mold. Treat both pests with regular applications of an organic \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/49pg4Fm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003einsecticidal soap\u003c\/a\u003e, focusing on leaf undersides. Additionally, use \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4jgCf4c\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eyellow sticky traps\u003c\/a\u003e to capture adult white flies. For severe white fly infestations, remove badly infested leaves and spray with \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3MRIEXe\" target=\"_blank\"\u003espinosad\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? \u003c\/strong\u003eYES\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out my tutorial on how to grow peppers from seed: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9j74wQpahsA\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/9j74wQpahsA\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out my tutorial on how to transplant peppers for maximum production: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hqkwOP-ci9M\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/youtu.be\/hqkwOP-ci9M\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Tips\/Information: \u003c\/strong\u003eN\/A\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jerrasgarden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48375618765025,"sku":"PEPPER35","price":4.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0650\/4012\/2081\/files\/sweetdatilpeppers20261.jpg?v=1778962477","url":"https:\/\/www.jerrasgarden.com\/products\/sweet-datil-mild-pepper-seeds","provider":"Jerra's Garden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}