How can you distinguish hot pepper seedlings from sweet ones?

To ensure a good harvest, it's important to ensure not only optimal growing conditions for the plants but also that nearby crops don't affect their flavor. Vegetable growers are interested in information on how to distinguish hot pepper seedlings from sweet peppers. First of all, it's recommended to make appropriate notes when sowing seeds, as the plants look similar and are considered related.

When is it necessary to determine the type of pepper?

Many novice gardeners forget to mark the locations of their planted seedlings. In this case, they have to identify the variety by appearance. Hot and sweet peppers are grown separately, as there is a risk of cross-pollination. Even a few hot pepper plants can spoil the flavor of a sweet variety. The distance between varieties should be 20 meters. Therefore, it's important to quickly identify the vegetable varieties and, if possible, plant them while maintaining the specified distance.

In Asian countries, this spicy vegetable is specially planted near bell peppers to give them a pleasant piquant flavor.

How to distinguish plants

It is quite difficult to distinguish plants by their general appearance, since external characteristics depend on the characteristics of a specific variety, the conditions of the surrounding area where they grow, as well as the correctness of their planting and care.

The difference in the appearance of the bush

Sweet pepper seedlings are heavier and larger than hot peppers. Hot pepper varieties have thin stems and long, narrow leaves. Sweet peppers, on the other hand, have thicker shoots and wider foliage.

We determine by the taste of the seeds

After germination, you may notice remnants of the seeds that formed the sprouts on the seedlings. These can be carefully removed, washed, and tasted. This method will help reliably identify the species. Hot pepper seeds have a distinctly pungent flavor. Care should be taken as the seeds are more bitter than the fruit.

Is it possible to determine by the leaves?

The color and shape of the leaves—how they differ—is the first sign to look for. Hot peppers have elongated, dark-hued leaves, while sweet peppers have lighter, wider leaves. When grown in optimal conditions, both varieties will have sturdy, large leaves, making them virtually indistinguishable from each other. You can also taste the leaves. If they have a bitter aftertaste, they are most likely hot peppers.

An equally important characteristic is the stem shape. Hot peppers have long, delicate stems, while others are more robust. However, this characteristic is typical only of store-bought peppers; it's ineffective for home-grown peppers.

By flowering time

The type of seedlings will also help determine the flowering time. Experience shows that flower buds form earlier on bitter varieties.

We differentiate by the type of ovary

The ovary of the hot pepper develops faster and appears slightly smaller. The bud of the sweet pepper is large and wide.

The difference in taste of fruits

The fruit of the hot pepper is oblong and deep red. When consumed, it produces a burning sensation and a sharp, spiced sensation in the mouth. Sweet varieties are large and come in a variety of colors. A sweet aftertaste is noticeable when eaten.

The following recommendations will help you distinguish sweet and hot pepper seedlings.

It is also important to remember that planting two varieties in close proximity can negatively affect the taste of the vegetable crop.