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Heirloom

Rooster Spur Chile Pepper

Quick Facts:

  • Heirloom variety from Mississippi
  • Branchy plants loaded with 1-2" peppers
  • Used to make Rooster Pepper Sausage
  • Great for pickling & drying/grinding
  • 95 days to harvest

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Quantity: Packet (25 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Rooster Spur Chile Pepper

More about Rooster Spur

Capsicum annuum

Rooster Spur is an old family heirloom donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Virgil T. Ainsworth of Laurel, Mississippi.  Reportedly grown by Mr. Ainsworth's family for more than 100 years, the Rooster Spur Pepper was traditionally used to make Rooster Spur Sausage.  Rooster Spur produces bountiful bouquets of small, one to two-inch peppers which blanket the tops of sprawling, highly branched plants.  Firm, hot peppers are excellent for pickling whole or for use in hot sauces.  Can also be dried and ground like cayenne.  Very hot.  Harvests begin approximately 95 days after transplanting.  Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.

Capsicum annuum

Rooster Spur is an old family heirloom donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Virgil T. Ainsworth of Laurel, Mississippi.  Reportedly grown by Mr. Ainsworth's family for more than 100 years, the Rooster Spur Pepper was traditionally used to make Rooster Spur Sausage.  Rooster Spur produces bountiful bouquets of small, one to two-inch peppers which blanket the tops of sprawling, highly branched plants.  Firm, hot peppers are excellent for pickling whole or for us... read more

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Capsicum annuum

Rooster Spur is an old family heirloom donated to Seed Savers Exchange by Virgil T. Ainsworth of Laurel, Mississippi.  Reportedly grown by Mr. Ainsworth's family for more than 100 years, the Rooster Spur Pepper was traditionally used to make Rooster Spur Sausage.  Rooster Spur produces bountiful bouquets of small, one to two-inch peppers which blanket the tops of sprawling, highly branched plants.  Firm, hot peppers are excellent for pickling whole or for use in hot sauces.  Can also be dried and ground like cayenne.  Very hot.  Harvests begin approximately 95 days after transplanting.  Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.

Girl holding kohlrabi

How to Grow Chile Peppers

Peppers perform best in well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter and adequate phosphorous and calcium. Mulching plants with poly, paper, or natural materials will ensure consistent moisture throughout the root zone.

For earliest harvest, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds 1/4" deep in well moistened, sterile seed-starting mix. The ideal temperature for pepper seed germination is 85 degrees. For best results, place a grower's heat mat beneath trays until germination has occurred. Under ideal conditions, germination should occur in 10-14 days. Super hot chiles can take up to a month to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, until germination has occurred. Placing a plastic dome over the trays will eliminate a need for frequent watering during the germination period.

After danger of frost has passed, set transplants 18-24" apart in rows 24-36" apart. Ensure that plants receive 1-2" of water per week. Avoid over-application of nitrogen as this can cause vegetative growth at the expense of fruit set.

Insect Pests

Biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis can be effective in controlling climbing cutworms. Aphids, flea beetles, and other hard-shelled insects can be controlled with an insecticidal soap solution.

Diseases & Other Problems

To prevent common pepper diseases like Phytopthora and bacterial spot, avoid watering plants at night or on cool, cloudy days. Excess nitrogen and/or insufficient phosphorous can cause pepper plants to become bushy and produce few blossoms.

Peppers can be harvested at any time but should be picked before they become soft or overly mature. Harvesting regularly will encourage further fruit set. Peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Alternatively, they can be dried by hanging them or placing them on a screen or basket in a warm, well-ventilated location until completely dry.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Select disease-free plants that are true-to-type. Pepper plants are prone to cross pollination by bees, so precautions should be taken to prevent pollination by insects. Covering plants with mosquito netting is an effective method to protect against pollen contamination.

HARVESTING SEED:

Harvest mature, disease-free fruit that have developed their final color. Cut open fruit and use a gloved hand to remove the seed. Dry on a coffee filter or paper towel. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Note: We have noticed that pepper juice can leach through gloves. It is wise to double up if you are processing a large number of peppers or superhot chiles.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Pepper seeds will remain viable for three years when stored under ideal conditions.

Little boy gardening

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
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E
Eric Koch
Definitely need a heat mat

The peppers are germinating, but I am not having the success that other reviewers are having. I'm sure that a plant heat map would lead to it being more successful.

R
Robert Harrison
Rooster spur seeds

The rooster spur seeds all germinated. Very pleased with that for sure. Received seeds in the mail, planted them and thay all came up. What more could you ask for, thankyou Thresh seed for your pepper seeds.

D
David Jones
More Than Happy

Pepper can be tricky to get going. They require very warm seed starting soil. Having had the optimum conditions, year after year, I STILL never got Rooster Spur's to start with other seed suppliers. I tried Thresh Seed Co. Rooster Spur Pepper seeds and... WOW! EVERY single seed germinated in less than 12 days! I'm sold!

J
Jill Kleckner
Fantastic Germination

I had 100% germination with these seeds. Seedlings are looking healthy. I use Rooster Spur peppers to make pepper jelly.

J
Jack Harris

I planted 16 seeds and got 16 sprouts. They are only about an inch tall right now but they are so pretty. The leaves are a very deep green and they kind of remind me of devil's horns. Maybe an indication of the heat to come.

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