Datil Dew Hot Topics
Check back for more hot topics soon!

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 121: 2008. 1
Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 121:xxx–xxx. 2008.
*Corresponding author; email: nlshaw@ifas.ufl .edu; phone (352) 392-9905

Vegetable Section

Greenhouse Production of the Famous St. Augustine Hot
Pepper, the Datil (Capsicum chinense var.)

NICOLE L. SHAW1*, DANIEL J. CANTLIFFE1, CHAD M. HUTCHINSON1,
STEVEN A. SARGENT1, AND DAVID DINKINS2
1Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, IFAS, P.O. Box 110690,
Gainesville, FL 32611
2St. Johns County Extension, 3125 Agriculture Center Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32092

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. protected agriculture, soilless media, specialty crop, processing

Datil pepper (Capsicum chinense var.) is well known throughout St. Augustine, FL where it has been cultivated since
the 1700s. Liked for their unique sweet-hot fl avor, datil peppers are used for cooking, hot sauces, relishes, and other
condiments. Mainly grown in backyard gardens, numbers of plants grown for commercial purposes are unknown. Seeds
are not commercially available, but found via the internet, festivals, Master Gardeners, or as family heirlooms. Four
selections were cultivated under passively ventilated greenhouse conditions in Citra, FL. Seeds were sown 26 Jan. 2006
and transplanted into 11-L pots fi lled with pine bark on 15 Mar. Plants were grown at 2.2 plants/m2 until 2 Aug. when
plants were cut back to 30-cm height and re-spaced at 0.5 plants/m2. Plants were harvested 6 times from 8 June to 31
July at 2.2 plants/m2 and 4 times at 0.5 plants/m2 from 26 Oct. 2006 to 3 Jan. 2007. Marketable fruit number/m2 was
similar between densities, but signifi cantly different between selections and ranged from 234 to 392 fruit/m2. Interactions
between plant density and selection for marketable fruit weight/m2 and cull number/m2 were signifi cant. ‘Super
Datil’ produced nearly twice the fruit weight at 0.5 than at 2.2 plants/m2; other selections were not affected by plant
density (yields ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 kg/m2). ‘Super Datil’ was determined not to be a true datil pepper. A selection
named ‘Norm’ (handed down through several family generations), was included on 17 May 2006 and harvested three
times (4, 26 Oct., and 13 Nov. 2006). ‘Norm’ produced a yield nearly three times greater than the other four selections
in the trial at 998 fruit/m2 and 2.7 kg·m–2.

Though history is vague on the introduction of the datil pepper                               
(Fig. 1) to the St. Augustine area of Florida, traces of its journey
can be found through literature and the St. Augustine Historical
Society (St. Augustine, FL). In 1768, a group of indentured
workers from the Spanish islands of Minorca, including Greeks
and Italians, arrived on the beaches of New Smyrna. It was
with these workers that a group of Africans became enslaved at
the indigo plantation of Andrew Turnbull. By 1777, much had
changed in Florida: Spain traded the territory to the British for
control of Cuba, the American Revolution had divided Florida
into sectors where the east sector, including St. Augustine, was
loyal to the British crown, and Andrew Turnbull’s plantation was
failing—causing his workers to seek asylum in St. Augustine
(Andrews, 1995). It was at that time that the Minorcan heritage
began in St. Augustine and still carries on today.
Capsicum chinense peppers are not native to Florida, nor are
they native to the Mediterranean, Spain, nor India where Piper
nigrum (black pepper) can be found. So it is unlikely that the datil
pepper, so tightly woven through Minorcan heritage, originated
with Mr. Turnbull’s workers, but more likely with the African
slaves that travelled the Spanish shipping routes through the Caribbean
and northern Amazon. It is these latter countries where
Capsicum chinense varieties of peppers can be dated back 4000
years via microfossils of starch (Perry et al., 2007). Other possibilities
include general travel of ships from Cuba up the eastern
seaboard to deliver messages and goods to Cubans living in exile
while under Spanish rule, again bringing the pungent peppers
along for the ride to satisfy the tastes of these traveling fi shermen
(Andrews, 1995). Regardless of origin, the Minorcans can probably
be credited with giving this hot, spicy, orange-yellow fruit
its name since the peppers resembled the golden fruits of date
palm (Phoenix dactylifera) found throughout the Mediterranean.
Dátil is the Spanish translation for date fruit (Velazquez De La
Fig. 1. Datil pepper (Capsicum chinense var.) is well known throughout St.
Augustine, FL where it has been cultivated since the 1700s. It has a unique
sweet-hot fl avor and used mainly for cooking, hot sauces, relishes and other
condiments.
2 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 121: 2008.
Cadena et al., 2003). Their descendants also have kept the datil
pepper peculiarly localized to St. Augustine for over 200 years.
Datil peppers are generally produced in small, back-yard,
family gardens primarily located in northeastern Florida and
used for homemade hot sauces, relishes, and other recipes.
There is one grower in an undisclosed area of Florida that has
approximately 400 plants in one location (Robin Sorenson, personal
communication); however, further information about the
datil seed source, production methods, yield, fruit quality, and
destination (fi nal use) are unavailable. Many restaurants in the
St. Augustine/Jacksonville, FL area pride themselves on their
own datil pepper table sauces, and when asked, you will fi nd the
peppers come from the family garden as does the recipe, which
may have existed for decades.
One restaurant chain in particular uses datil peppers for their
own sauce (Captain Sorenson’s) that is available to use in the
restaurants, for purchase to take home, and in some of their
recipes. Currently, the store has enough peppers and sauce to
satisfy the needs of their 300 plus store operations; however, the
owners have the desire to expand. In order to keep their sauce
manufactured in the quantity that they currently use for all future
stores, datil peppers would need to be produced under a defi ned
method. The objective of this research was to fi nd a suitable plant
selection and to defi ne a method for greenhouse production of datil
peppers for year-round production. Information on specifi c fruit
qualities, including Scoville Units, sugar content, beta-carotene
and lutein content, as well as postharvest storage characteristics,
are available in Lon Kan et al. (2007a, 2007b) and will not be
discussed in this paper.
Materials and Methods
Datil pepper seeds were acquired via internet sources in Dec.
2005. The four selections available were ‘Super Datil’ (Datil Dew
Pepper Products, Green Cove Springs, FL), ‘Sensation’ (Datil
Sensation, Blountville, TN), ‘Terra Time’ (Terra Time & Tide,
Jacksonville, FL), and ‘Wanda’ (W. Chapman, Jacksonville,
FL). Only ‘Super Datil’ was named by the distributor, the other
three were named by the authors after the source. Seeds from
the selection Norm were given to us at a later date from one of
the Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) staff
members. This selection was handed down within a family from
the St. Augustine region for over 100 years. In previous reports
on this project, the name ‘Linda’ was used.
Seeds of the selections Super Datil, Sensation, Terra Time,
and Wanda were sown into 128-cell expanded polystyrene trays
(Speedling Inc., Sun City, FL) fi lled with 70:30 (v:v) peat:vermiculite
mix (Promix 0463, Premier, Quebec) on 26 Jan. 2006.
Transplants were produced in growth chambers (Conviron E15
model, Controlled Environments, Inc., Asheville, NC) with
temperature at 28/25 °C day/night and 12 h light. Seedlings were
irrigated every other day and weekly with a fertilizer solution to
deliver 20N–8.8P–16K (Peter’s Professional All Purpose Plant
Food, Spectrum Group, St. Louis, MO). Seedlings were transplanted
on 15 Mar. 2006. ‘Norm’ seedlings were produced in the
same fashion with sow and transplant dates of 28 Mar. and 17
May 2006, respectively.
The research was conducted at the Horticultural Sciences
Department Protected Agriculture Project (www.hos.ufl .edu/protectedag)
located at the University of Florida PSREU in Citra, FL.
Production occurred in a passively ventilated high-roof sawtoothtype
greenhouse (Top Greenhouses Ltd., Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel). A
complete description is available in Shaw and Cantliffe (2005).
Plants were grown in 11-L black polyethylene nursery pots (Lerio
Corp., Kissimee, FL) fi lled with pine bark media (Elixson Wood
Products, Starke, FL). Plants were pruned in accordance with
Jovicich et al. (2005) using the ‘Spanish’ system. Under these
conditions, all branches, side shoots (laterals), and fruit remained
on the plant. The plants were trellised using both horizontal and
vertical string, as well as homemade wire clips using ceiling
tile wire (photo available in Jovicich et al., 2005). Plants were
initially spaced 30.5 cm within-row and 1.2 m between rows.
Plant density became too close to properly trellis and maintain
good plant health; therefore, on 2 Aug. 2006 all plants were cut
back to approximately 60 cm high and relocated to increase plant
spacing. The new plant spacing was 90 cm between plants and
2.4 m between rows. Plant density decreased from 2.2 plants/m2
to 0.5 plants/m2.
Pepper plants were fertigated through individual pressurecompensating
emitters (Netafi m USA, Fresno, CA) at a fl ow
rate of 33 mL·min–1. Irrigation water originated from two sources
throughout the crop cycle. When well water was used, fertilizer
levels remained constant at 120 mg·L–1 N (calcium nitrate and
potassium nitrate), 50 mg·L–1 P (phosphoric acid), 150 mg·L–1 K
(potassium nitrate and potassium chloride), 135 mg·L–1 Ca (calcium
nitrate), 50 mg·L–1 (magnesium sulfate) Mg, 65 mg·L–1 S (all
sulfate sources listed), 3 mg·L–1 Fe (iron sulfate), 0.2 mg·L–1 Cu
(copper sulfate), 0.8 mg·L–1 Mn (manganese sulfate), 0.3 mg·L–1
Zn (zinc sulfate), 0.7 mg·L–1 B (solubor), and 0.06 mg·L–1 Mo
(molybdenum sulfate). When recycled water was used, total EC
and pH were adjusted to attain a fi nal solution of 2.0 ± 0.5 EC
and 6.0 ± 0.5 pH using a combination of the fertilizer sources
previously listed. Recycled irrigation originated from the leachate
(drainage) water collected from all plants grown in the greenhouse.
The water was fi ltered for particulates (200 μm) and sanitized with
chlorine before being stored, adjusted, and delivered back to the
plants. Both sources of irrigation occurred daily for most of the
season. When recycled irrigation was not available, plants received
irrigation only from the well water source. Daily irrigation was
based on plant need plus 20% leachate and scheduled through a
programmable injector unit (Fertimix, Netafi m USA).
Plants were grown under pesticide-free measures. No pesticides
were applied because benefi cial insects were used to control
unwanted pests and bumble bees (Koppert Biologicals, Romulus,
MI) were in the greenhouse to pollinate needed crops. The peppers
did not require bee pollination, however, the bumble bees
were found to frequent the datil fl owers. The most common pest
of the datil peppers was two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus
urticae), which were controlled with monthly releases of the
predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Biotactics, Perris, CA)
or Amblyseius swirskii (Koppert). No diseases were present
throughout the duration of the experiment.
Plants were harvested 10 times for the duration of the experiment.
Six harvests occurred at the plant density of 2.2 plants/m2
(8, 22, 29 June and 6, 20, 31 July 2006) and the remaining four
harvests occurred once the plants were moved to the lower density
of 0.5 plants/m2 (26 Oct., 15 Nov., 6 Dec. 2006 and 3 Jan. 2007).
The selection Norm was harvested fi ve times at 2.2 plants/m2 (30
Aug., 20 Sept., 4, 26 Oct., and 13 Nov. 2006). Fruit were harvested
at full mature orange color, except at the fi rst harvest when many
green fruit were also harvested. Numbers of green vs. colored
fruit were not recorded. Fruit were considered marketable if they
were free from disease or damage and at least 2 cm in length.
Nonmarketable fruit were culled.
Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 121: 2008. 3
Data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS (SAS
Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Data were compared between datil selections
and plant density. Means were separated using Duncan’s
multiple range test (5% signifi cance level).
Results and Discussion
Total marketable fruit number was signifi cantly different among
pepper selections (Table 1). Fruit numbers were similar for the
selections Sensation, Terra Time, and Wanda with a mean value
of 360 fruit/m2. Fruit number from the selection Sensation was
not different from the selection Super Datil (mean 234 fruit/m2),
which is marketed as a ‘Super Datil’ based on its larger fruit size
(Table 1). ‘Super Datil’ was about twice as large as all other datil
pepper selections with a mean of 6.0 g/fruit; however, it is not a
true datil pepper. Since the selection Norm was planted at a later
date, plants fruited under different climatic conditions and only
fi ve harvests occurred during the duration of the project; therefore,
it was not included in the statistical analysis. The means are
reported for valuable comparison purposes only since ‘Norm’ was
provided to us with historical information of 100 years of family
heritage. From our data, it is evident that this seed was selected
wisely as it appears to yield nearly three times more fruit than
the other lines found from internet resources.
There was a signifi cant interaction between plant density and
datil selection for total marketable weight and culls (Table 2).
There was no signifi cant difference between the four selections
for marketable weight within each plant density. However,
‘Super Datil’ produced signifi cantly higher fruit weight at the
lower plant density (1.8 kg at 0.5 plants/m2 compared to 1.0 at 2.2
plants/m2). Similar to fruit number per square meter, the selection
Norm produced nearly three times the fruit weight than the other
pepper selections. Further experiments will compare ‘Norm’ to
the other selections under identical conditions to determine if
yields are indeed superior. Culls were highest from the selection
Wanda at both plant densities. Culls for all selections were far
less at 0.5 plants/m2 than 2.2 plants/m2. Reduction in cull number
is important as these fruit still need to be removed from plants
to prevent decay inoculation. This removal leads to higher labor
costs. However, some fruit in this experiment were culled due
Table 2. Infl uence of datil pepper selections and two plant densities
grown hydroponically on marketable fruit yield and culls. Planted
15 Mar. 2006.
Marketable wt (kg) Cull no.
Selection 2.2 plants/m2 0.5 plants/m2 2.2 plants/m2 0.5 plants/m2
Super Datil 1.0 1.8* 2.0 c 0.8 b
Sensation 1.4 1.0 20.5 b 7.2 a
Terra Time 0.8 1.2 16.0 bc 8.7 a
Wanda 1.1 1.1 57.8 a* 12.0 a
Signifi cancez NS NS 0.0001 0.0026
CVy 37.0 59.1 67.2 94.5
Normx 2.7 16.0
z * = signifi cantly greater than mean at other density. Means were separated
by Duncan’s multiple range test, 5% level. Mean yield of 6 harvests: 8,
22, 29 June and 6, 20, 31 July 2006 at 2.2 plants/m2 and 4 harvests: 26
Oct., 15 Nov., 6 Dec. 2006 and 3 Jan. 2007 at 0.5 plants/m2.
yCV = coefficient of variation.
x‘Norm’ was planted 17 May 2006 and harvested 5 times: 30 Aug., 20
Sept., 4, 26 Oct. and 13 Nov. 2006 at 2.2 plants/m2. Due to different planting/
harvest dates, ‘Norm’ was not included in the statistical analysis.
Table 1. Main effect of datil pepper selections grown hydroponically on
marketable fruit size and yield (planted 15 Mar. 2006).
Fruit wt Marketable fruit
Selection (g/fruit) (no./m2)
Super Datil 6.0 a 234 b
Sensation 3.3 b 364 a
Terra Time 3.1 b 321 ab
Wanda 2.7 c 392 a
Signifi cancez 0.0001 0.0218
CVy 8.5 53.3
Normx 2.6 998
zMeans were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test, 5% level. Mean
yield of 10 harvests and 2 densities: 8, 22, 29 June and 6, 20, 31 July
2006 at 2.2 plants/m2 and 26 Oct., 15 Nov., 6 Dec. 2006 and 3 Jan. 2007
at 0.5 plants/m2.
yCV = coefficient of variation.
x‘Norm’ was planted 17 May 2006 and harvested 5 times: 30 Aug., 20
Sept., 4, 26 Oct. and 13 Nov. 2006 at 2.2 plants/m2, due to different planting/
harvest dates, ‘Norm’ was not included in the statistical analysis.
Fig. 2. A “true” datil pepper has the following characteristics: a golden-orange
color, about 3 g in weight, 3-4 cm long with a slightly blunt tip and both sweet
and hot characteristic fl avor and aroma.
to small size. Small, non-diseased fruit could, possibly, still be
used for processing.
No scientifi c reports could be found on datil pepper production
under fi eld or greenhouse production systems. The data reported
within could lead to a new greenhouse industry that supports both
fresh market and processing hot peppers. It is unknown whether
the datil peppers selected for this trial are true datil peppers as
they are such a peculiar and unique pepper to only the St. Augustine,
FL area. Depending on which family garden you visit,
one can fi nd similar datil pepper lines with varying phenotypes.
The family who has kept datil seed for over 100 years claims
that the datil peppers grown today are similar to those of an older
era. Based on historical information, a “true” datil pepper has
the following characteristics: a golden-orange color, about 3 g
in weight, 3–4 cm long, with a slightly blunt tip and both sweet
and hot characteristic fl avor and aroma (Fig. 2). Fruit yields from
the datil pepper selections produced during this experiment, if
4 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 121: 2008.
extrapolated to 1 ha of production, could be processed into more
than one-half million liters (≈150,000 gal) of hot sauce.
Literature Cited
Andrews, J. 1995. A botanical mystery: The elusive trail of the datil pepper
to St. Augustine. Florida Historical Quarterly 74(2):133–148.
Jovicich, E., J.J. VanSickle, D.J. Cantliffe, and P.J. Stoffella. 2005.
Greenhouse-grown colored peppers: A profi table alternative for vegetable
production in Florida. HortTechnology 15:355–369.
Lon Kan, E.E., S.A. Sargent, A. Simmone, D.J. Cantliffe, and N.L. Shaw.
2007a. Quality characteristics of datil hot pepper harvested at different
stages of maturation. HortScience 42:928. (Abstr.).
Lon Kan, E.E., S.A. Sargent, A. Simmone, N.L. Shaw, and D.J. Cantliffe.
2007b. Changes in the postharvest quality of datil hot pepper as affected
by storage temperature. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 120:246–250.
Perry, L., R. Dickau, S. Zarrillo, I. Holst, D.M. Pearsall, D.R. Piperno,
M.J. Berman, R. G. Cooke, K. Rademaker, A.J. Ranere, J.S. Raymond,
D.H. Sandweiss, F. Scaramelli, K. Tarble, and J.A. Zeidler. 2007. Starch
fossils and the domestication and dispersal of chili peppers (Capsicum
spp. L.) in the Americas. Science 315:986–988.
Shaw, N.L. and D.J. Cantliffe. 2005. Hydroponic greenhouse production
of “baby” squash: Selection of suitable squash types and cultivars.
HortTechnology 15:722–728.
Velázquez De La Cadena, M., E. Gray, J.L. Iribas, I. Navarro Hinojosa,
M. Blanco-Gonzalez, and R.J. Nelson. 2003. Velázquez Spanish and
English dictionary. New Win Publishing, El Monte, CA.