eBay Listing Title:
Takenotsume Pepper Seeds – Capsicum annuum – Hawk Claw Shape, Hot Japanese Heirloom, 250K SHU

Listing Description:
Takenotsume Pepper (Capsicum annuum), also known as Hawk Claw Pepper, is a revered Japanese heirloom known for its claw-shaped, fiery red fruits and compact ornamental habit. The name “Takenotsume” translates to “hawk’s claw,” referencing the pepper’s distinctive curved shape.

This bushy plant grows to about 14 to 24 inches tall and remains compact, making it ideal for containers or small garden spaces. It has medium green leaves and a tidy, upright habit. The plant blooms with small white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by an abundance of slender, pointed peppers that ripen from green to deep red. Each plant can produce hundreds of fruits in a season.

The peppers range from 10,000 to 250,000 Scoville Heat Units, with a pungent, smooth heat that intensifies as they ripen. They are commonly dried and used in Japanese cuisine for seasoning rice, soups, and stir-fries. Young green fruits are also used fresh in cooking.

Native to Japan, this variety was introduced by Portuguese traders in the 1800s and has since become a staple in Japanese kitchens. It’s prized not only for its culinary heat but also for its ornamental value and ability to overwinter indoors. In warm climates, it can live for several years as a perennial.

Days to harvest: 60 to 100 days depending on growing conditions.

🌱 How to Grow from Seed

• Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before last frost.
• Sow 1/4 inch deep in warm soil (70–80°F).
• Use bottom heat or a seedling mat to improve germination.
• Germination takes 7 to 14 days.
• Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed, spacing plants 12 to 18 inches apart in full sun.

🌿 Garden Care

• Prefers well-drained soil and full sun (6+ hours daily).
• Water deeply but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Pinch growing tips early to encourage bushiness.
• Feed with low-nitrogen fertilizer once fruit sets.
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Watch for aphids and spider mites; treat with neem or insecticidal soap if needed.

Hardiness Zone: Best grown as an annual in Zones 5–8; perennial in Zones 9b–11. In cooler climates like southern Ontario, overwinter indoors or grow in containers.

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