Thai Dragon Pepper

Thai Dragon Pepper (Thai Volcano Pepper)

Pepper Category: Extra Hots, Thai, Uprights

Scovile Heat Scale – 75,000

Scientific Classification

Capsicum annuum

Typical Heat Rating in Scovilles

50000 - 100000

Thai Dragon peppers grow to 3 to 4 inches long and start out green and mature to a bright red. They grow on a short, bushy plant, giving rise to clusters of upright peppers.

They are often used indoors or along garden borders outdoors because of their decorative appeal. The plants are incredibly prolific and have a strong, well-branched habit to support the heavy fruit set. Each plant can produce up to 200 chiles.

Annual, 85 days to fruition. Dark green, beautifully elongated and shapely leaves on a short, bushy plant, giving rise to clusters of upright peppers, bright red at maturity, quite ornamental and also wonderful in Asian cooking or used in any cooking where fiery hot spice is desired.

These do excellently in pots, and we grew them out in the garden with good success. The small volcano on the plate is composed of coarsely ground dried volcano peppers, which are an excellent flavor enhancer for any food, and improve circulation.

In general, it is a good idea to reduce salt intake, and therefore other flavor enhancers take precedence. In the case of peppers, one also receives the digestive and vascular benefits of capsaicin--warming to the digestive tract, improves assimilation of nutrients, and speeds circulation, discouraging blockages and ultimately (other factors being constant), likely to extend the life expectancy.

All this in a bright red pepper! Peppers prefer a scanty, even water supply, good drainage, full sun, and a long, hot summer. Start indoors 40 to 50 days prior to the last frost. Thin seedlings to at least 2 inches apart in the flat.

Transplant out to garden after the soil has really warmed up. The best compost for Peppers is higher in phosphorous than nitrogen. Kelp is well tolerated and makes for outrageous yields. These peppers are very good in pots, and a 3-gallon pot will have adequate soil to bring a full sized plant to completion.