The number and frequency of irrigation depend on plant size, soil type, humidity and prevailing temperatures. Most chiles are furrow irrigated. If plant growth is slowed by moisture stress during blooming, blossoms and immature pods are likely to drop. Blossom-end rot can result when plants are stressed when young fruit are developing rapidly. Deep cultivation results in root pruning and loss of soil moisture.
Regular cultivation controls weeds and loosens and aerates the soil.
High nitrogen rates may depress total yields, delay crop maturity and decrease the proportion of red pods. Phosphorus increases total yield and increases the proportion of red pods. Most north-central New Mexico soils contain high levels of potassium, making potassium fertilization unnecessary. Application of liquid fertilizer with irrigation water is practiced to a limited extent, with variable results. Advantages of the native varieties are early yield and a large proportion of mature red fruit.