Escamillo

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sweetly fragrant and vividly aromatic, Escamillo Bull’s Horn peppers ripen to a glossy, deep red that catches the light like lacquer.

Their long, gently curved shape tapers to a classic horn tip, with thick, crisp walls that hold their snap and sweetness whether you enjoy them fresh or let their flavor deepen in roasted preparations. Grow Escamillo for bold color in the garden and a pepper-forward presence in sauces, salsas, and pickled specialties—an eye-catching harvest that tastes as rich as it looks.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Escamillo bull’s horn peppers bring thick, crisp walls and a perfume-forward sweetness that doesn’t collapse—so they stay snappy in raw slices and become sticky-lacquer sweet under heat. Roast them until blistered, then use the softened flesh to anchor sauces and pickles with a clean pepper-forward backbone.

Best Uses

slice into fresh salads where the pepper stays crunchy
roast or char for lacquered sweetness and easy peeling
blend into salsa/romesco-style spreads for glossy body
pack into quick pickles for crisp, candy-sweet acidity

Flavor Profile

sweet pepper aroma crisp juicy snap mild, steady heat (if any) roasty depth when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic smoked paprika olive oil aged cheese chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Capsicum annuum (Escamillo) in home gardens, and how do I treat it?

Watch for aphids and pepper hornworms on Capsicum annuum, especially during warm spells; aphids cluster on new growth and hornworms leave large chewing holes. Rinse aphids off with a strong water jet and spray insecticidal soap if they return, then hand-pick hornworms at dusk and drop them into soapy water. If you see leaf spots or a grayish mold, remove affected leaves and improve airflow by spacing plants so leaves dry quickly after watering.

How often should I water Escamillo peppers during the main growing phase?

During the main growth and until fruit fully matures (roughly after flowering begins), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for watering when the top 1 inch feels dry. Water deeply at the base to wet the root zone, typically about 1–2 times per week in average conditions, more often in hot, drying weather. Avoid letting plants swing from drought to heavy watering, which can lead to blossom-end issues and dropped flowers.

How can I tell when Escamillo peppers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach their mature size and have turned the expected color for ripe peppers, usually around 90 days after sowing/transplanting to match the crop’s maturity. For best flavor, pick with a clean cut (snip the stem) once the pepper feels firm and fully colored, not soft or still pale. You can harvest earlier for a greener stage, but for full maturity follow the color and firmness cue.