Bird's Eye Chili
Capsicum frutescens
Small, very hot chilies; thrives in Malaysian heat with strong sun and good drainage.
🌞 Light & Temperature
Light: Full sun (6–8+ h)
Temperature: 24–34°C
🪴 Pot & Soil
Pot: 15–25 L pot with sturdy stake; well-draining mix.
Soil Mix: 40% loam, 30% compost, 20% coco coir, 10% perlite; pH 6.0–6.8
💧 Watering
Schedule: Dry season: 3x/week; Rainy: 1–2x/week if no rain
Amount: 1–2 L per watering
Allow top 3 cm to dry; avoid waterlogging to reduce wilt.
🧪 Fertilizing
Type: Balanced veg feed; higher K at flowering
Frequency: Every 2 weeks
Dosage: 10–20 g/month per 20 L pot; foliar micros monthly
🥕 Harvest
Start: 60–80 days from transplant
Duration: 2–4 months with frequent picking
Harvest Indicators: Fruits fully colored (red/orange) and firm
Tips: Pick often to increase yield; snip to avoid tearing
🌱 Propagation
Seeds; transplant at 4–6 true leaves
🐛 Pests & Diseases
- Aphids/whiteflies: Sticky traps; neem 0.5–1% weekly
- Fruit borer: Bag young fruits; Bt during outbreaks
🌦️ Seasonal Notes (Malaysia)
Provide rain shelter to protect blossoms in monsoon.
📝 Planting Notes
Stake early; prune lightly for airflow.
💡 Extra Care Tips
- Mulch 3–5 cm
- Avoid over-N once flowering
Note
Schedules are guidelines—adjust for your microclimate, pot size, and weather. During heavy monsoon rain, reduce watering and improve drainage.