Swiss Gardener Breaks His Own Record With 20.6-Inch Chili Pepper

Jürg Wiesli has grown another record-setting chili pepper, extending his own Guinness World Record with a harvest measuring 1 foot, 8.6 inches long. The Swiss gardener first claimed the record in October 2017, when a chili measuring 1 foot, 5.7 inches was recorded at a vegetable competition in Jona, St. Gallen. The following year, he surpassed that mark with a pepper measuring 1 foot, 7.9 inches. Wiesli’s latest entry was measured on Aug. 11, earning him the title for the third time. At roughly 20.6 inches, the pepper was nearly three inches longer than his first record-holder. In comments to Guinness World Records, Wiesli described a growing process that begins months before the plants reach the garden. He starts the seeds indoors in March under grow lights, keeping them at 28 degrees Celsius, or 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the risk of frost has passed, he moves the plants outdoors at the end of April. Wiesli said he prepares the soil with thorough tilling and mature compost, then provides regular water and balanced fertilizer. He cautioned that too much fertilizer can produce abundant leaves instead of larger chilies.