Calabrian Pepper Ristra Italian Piccante Calabrese Spicy Pepper of Calabria Premium Seeds for Planting Packet

I purchased and grew these seeds out in 2024. The packet said 10+ seeds, it contained 11 seeds. The seeds were packaged in a small blue ziplock bag inside of the larger paper seed packet. The airtight plastic baggie should protect them from getting wet during shipping and after. The packet said they tested the seeds and had 92% germination rate. I sowed 4 and all 4 germinated and grew into healthy productive plants. All 4 produced fruit true to type, small skinny red pods as in the picture from Sherwoods Seeds. As fresh chilies these all had that distinctive Calabrian chili flavor. Fruity, citrusy, a bit smokey, and something distinctive that is hard to describe but you know it if you are familiar with them. They are moderately hot, probably around 20,000 to 30,000 scoville. The pods were also quick and easy to dry for making chili flakes/powder. These are the real deal, as advertised. I was initially reluctant to purchase these seeds because some reviews said none of their seeds germinated. I haven't had that problem at all. While it's possible some people got bad packs of seeds, I think it's also possible some people did a poor job starting the seeds. If you've been growing chili peppers for a while and are familiar with the tricks to get good germination from chili seeds (scarification, sowing at the correct depth, keeping the soil properly damp, maintaining soil temperature around 82 F, etc), you shouldn't have any problem getting these seeds to sprout.

Lots of peppers this year, 2 seeds didn't come up, planted in a planter and they were 5ft tall, tipped over several times.

Used this seeds before with great success rate, unfortunately that was not the case this time around with the new batch I purchased. Contacted the seller but received no response. Not a great tollway to treat returning customers.

Excellent peppers that have the right amount of heat and uses. They get very big. Probably only suited for the garden.

got the seeds months ago - had 20 seeds as of this week 13 have germinated not bad at all

Since last season I have ordered 7 different types of seeds from Sherwood's Seeds. This is true for all 7. 90-100% success rate and I use the cheapest indoor lights available - the single LED red lights at the top of the $5, 6 chambered grow containers. It helps that I live in an area with long seasons without freezes, or one or two that last a single night, but I get a ton of fruit. I'm pasting this comment across all 7. Peppers: Calabrian Cherry Calabrian Pepper Ristra chocolate Carolina Reaper Kraken Striped Sugar Rush Death Spiral Tomato: Pinnochio Orange-100% success rate

Update 3/14/26: the harvest last fall was amazing. I am updating this review as I’m starting seeds again. I’ve added photos. I’m in central Illinois zone 5b. Because I planted later than I should, I didn’t get ripe peppers until mid to late September but they kept ripening until November and I think I got close to a hundred peppers from each plant. Before the frost in early November I gathered all the green peppers and they ended up ripening inside over the next few weeks. Original Review: I’ve ordered these seeds on March 30th, received them April 1st and was able to plant the same day. I put them in seedling pods, covered and put on top of heat pad for germination that kept the pods at about 79-82 degrees (measured dirt with food thermometer). And within 5-6 days I saw 2 out of the 3 I planted poking through. The two are now under a light lamp, away from heating pad now that they’ve germinated. So far they are doing well. The third pod has not had anything come up yet but it’s only April 9 so there is still time. I will try to remember to update review after harvest

These seeds never came up and seller won't acknowledge this fact and replace them