My chiltepin seedlings came up purple from the moment they broke the surface; my other pepper starts (Jamaican yellow habanero, Japanese santaka, and lilac bell peppers (I planted goats weed later so they haven't sprouted yet)) are all green. Are chiltepins more sensitive to cold, perhaps?
24/7 heat pad, 16/8 light schedule, room temp is typically 60°F. I water with 80° water when the soil is dry.
by cataclasis
4 Comments
Also: soil is unfertilized coco coir and a bit of vermiculite.
I’ll put it as simple as possible.. Pepper Joe’d
Fact they are all purple lends some credence that the seeds may be on- phenotype for what was targeted. A darker chiltepin – possible. Not the classic chiltepin but maybe the master gardener stabilized a anthocyanin rich variant?
[https://ohiopeppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17376668582895584784384723711630.jpg](https://ohiopeppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17376668582895584784384723711630.jpg)
One of the better ways of checking maybe to look at the seeds themselves. Chiltepin is a variant of annuum – a very unique variant, extremely thick seed coat, typically have more of a stained color.. these are solid little boogers. Next to it in the picture I have a typical annuum, poblano. A random baccatum (technically this one is a cross between a chiltepin and a lemon drop. The seed and flowers are classic baccatum). A random Chinense (red habanero).
Visually striking difference between the chiltepin and the others!
If the seed you have don’t look like that – I’d be worried. Otherwise, grow and see that happens!
Now if your chiltepin is actually a cumari – that could explain some purple coloration. Maybe not the seedlings to that extent – but Praetermissum have cool Purple flowers! No filter:
[https://ohiopeppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/20220928_190500-scaled.jpg](https://ohiopeppers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/20220928_190500-scaled.jpg)
Edit: chiltepin germinating at the same speed as all the other peppers? They are the absolute most obnoxiously hard pepper to germinate! People commonly use various mechanical and chemical methods to hasten germination.
I grow cappuccino chiltepins every year and a lot of the sprouts start as purple.q