Growing Capsicum, also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers

Capsicum annuum : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-12 weeks. Cut fruit off with sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Egg plant (Aubergine), Nasturtiums, Basil, Parsley, Amaranth

Your comments and tips

14 Jan 16, (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
My green peppers take so long to produce veg . The leaves stays wilted . I water them and ferterlizers them on time .
28 Dec 15, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted 2 capsicum plants about 3 weeks ago 30 cms apart Seasolled twice a week . Initially grew from 150 cms to about 250 quickly and developed glowers but flowers withered and dropped off. Plants still looking healthy. Any suggestions
30 Dec 15, Tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check out an American site ...'Why A Pepper Drops The Flower Bud - Gardening Know How'. They say temperature, lack of pollination or fertiliser/water practices are usually the culprits
06 Jan 16, Hafeez Rehman (USA - Zone 6a climate)
You can polinate them by yourself. normaly it is bees who do it.. have a stick and wrap cotton on it....and touch this to all the flowers. when you done this....you wait.... if the flowers has started becoming fruit...it is now ok.
16 Dec 15, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I also have problem with my capsicums healthy plants fruit rots before mature. any advice to fix the problem
26 Dec 15, Louise (Australia - temperate climate)
peppers rot due to lack of calcium and/or to much nitrogen. Calcium is needed to build the cell wall of the fruit. Calcium up take can be prohibited due to nutriant inballance. NTS have a great product called "Total Cover" good for correcting inballances. Adding boron to the soil can help unlock calcum so needed for nutriiant uptake of plants.
28 Nov 15, Colin Varney (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
growing capsicums this year from seed and they seem to get to about 30mm and while still green they then go soft and fall off the plant. there is nothing eating on the inside and the fruit looks good but next day they have gone real soft as if cooked and fall off the plant
27 Nov 15, Tony (Australia - tropical climate)
Is it possible that capsicums will survive if they are transplanted from tray into pots?
26 Nov 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it possible that capsicums will survive if they are transplanted from tray into pots?
27 Nov 15, Garden of Earthy Treasures (Australia - arid climate)
Best to use a deep pot to avoid root disturbance, but yes is the answer. Divide the tray as best you can and pot to same depth, liquid seaweed solution applied and they will love you for it.
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