Hi Jinglewaffle,
Well drained soil means the water won't sit around the roots of the chili plant and rot them.
As far as I know, chili plants need roughly the same care, no matter what type they are. I grow mine in a pot (so it is very well draining!), and in our temperate climate it lasts through winter, so it is 3 years old now.
Will yours be in pot or garden?

Hopefully the label will suggest what size pot. Good quality potting mix will make it very happy free draining wise! It will need the sort of plant food that keeps it growing more chilies too. There is good info about feeding in this article:
http://www.sgtpepper.com.au/care_plants.html

I haven't done the picking off early trick, but I will try it next year!
I don't think they ripen much once picked, but hopefully someone who knows more will come along and let us know!