In early spring, start seeds indoors 8 weeks prior to warm nightly temperatures. Place the seeds in sterile media and cover 1/4” deep. Provide 85°F bottom heat, bright light and keep moist at all times. Seeds will germinate in 7 - 21 days. Transplant seedlings into pots and grow until there are 6 true leaves on the plant. Plant them directly into rich soil, 30” apart or into large 5-gallon containers. Harvest chiles when they are green. If left on the plant a couple more weeks, the chiles will turn red at full maturity.
One of the older releases from NMSU in 1975 and still one of the best green chiles available. It is a favorite of home gardeners and chefs for making chile rellenos, a stuffed chile pod. The light to medium green fruit grows to almost 8” long and 2” wide and moderately flattened. The round-shouldered fruit tapers to a hook at the apex. Plant height is 16”-26” tall. The Big Jim has always been the most famous New Mexico green chile. Capsicum annuum (75 days) Heat Level: Mild to Medium Scoville 2500 - 4000. Packet contains 30 seeds.
NuMex Heritage Big Jim Capsicum annuum (80 days) Improved NuMex variety with distinctive New Mexico chile flavor and medium hot pungency. These seeds are Non-GMO. Large 9” pods have thick flesh and are moderately flat. The thick flat pods make these ideal for plate-size chile relleños stuffed with cheese or meat. Non GMO. The original NuMex Big Jim variety was known for its inconsistent pungency on the same plant. The heat level would vary from the top of the plant to the bottom. Peppers on the lower branches would be hotter than the peppers just above them. This new heritage variety has more flavor, better yields and produces a larger crop over the growing season. The heat level of the chiles is more consistent. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks prior to soil warming to 55°F. Transplant seedlings into rich well-draining soil 24” apart. Seeds can also be planted directly outside after soil warms. Harvest chiles when they are green and firm orleave them on plant to mature to red. Heat level: Medium Heat Scoville 2000 to 4000, Packet contains 30 seeds.
