Manzano Orange

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

Sun-warmed and vividly alive, Manzano Orange delivers a bright, citrusy heat that flares quickly and then lingers with a gentle, fruity warmth.

The fruits are small and lantern-like, with a smooth, taut skin and a crisp snap that makes them irresistible for fresh salsas, vivid sauces, and quick pickling brine. Grow Manzano Orange for a long, steady harvest—its compact plants keep setting new peppers through the warm season, turning your garden into a glowing ribbon of orange.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Bush

Botanical illustration of Manzano Orange

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 8th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Manzano Orange is built for heat that arrives fast, then blooms into a gentle, citrus-leaning warmth without going hollow. Its small, taut-skinned peppers keep a satisfying snap in salsa and quick pickles, so you get flavor and texture in the same bite.

Best Uses

fresh salsa where they stay crunchy—dice small and add at the end
quick pickling in fast brine for citrusy, lantern-bright heat
chopped into warm oil for a fast flare (then remove solids)
blister-and-chop topping for tacos, eggs, or grilled fish

Flavor Profile

citrusy pop quick, bright chili heat crisp snap of taut skin faint fruity warmth on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime garlic salted pork cotija cheese tomato white vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Capsicum pubescens (manzano orange), and what should I do?

Watch for spider mites and aphids, which can cause stippled or curled leaves on hot, dry days. Rinse foliage with a strong water jet, then spray insecticidal soap (or neem) and repeat every 5–7 days until leaves are clean. If you see sudden wilting with dark, rotted stems near the soil line, remove the affected plant and avoid replanting in the same spot to reduce disease spread.

How often should I water manzano orange during its main growing phase?

During active flowering and fruit set (roughly after the plant reaches a steady size), keep soil consistently evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, and only when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry; wetter, heavier soils need less frequent watering. Too much water can encourage stem and root problems typical of Solanaceae.

How can I tell when Capsicum pubescens (manzano orange) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits fully color up to orange and feel firm, typically around 80 days from planting to maturity. The pods should be mature in size and stop looking glossy-green or pale; immature fruits may taste more bitter. If you gently tug, ripe fruits detach more easily—then harvest before any soft spots appear.