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

10 May 15, Gloria (Australia - temperate climate)
I germinated capsicum seeds from supermarket , I dried them throughly then put them in water until they sprouted,then, put them in a pot of normal soil ( not sand) then I planted them out in March ( Perth W A ) in good composted soil , adding liquid fertilizer,then as they grew, blood and bone.It is now May and they are almost ready to harvest.A very healthy crop.Now I'm wondering if I can plant more this month as this area gets little frost mostly likely in September?
11 May 14, Rosalie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've just germinated capsicum seeds from the store bought capsicum. It's only now, looking at this website, that I realise I've done it too early (should be doing in August/September) but I'll give it a go. I don't really get any frosts, so fingers crossed.
20 Oct 14, Donna (Australia - temperate climate)
I germinated capsicum seed as I do tomato, (the old school way) I take them from the tomato or capsicum (I do not dry them out), I use a flat, round face cleanser cotton pad, place seeds on that in old plastic container with constant water no higher than the side of the wool pad as not to drown the seeds, place lid over top for a little air and place in the sun, I generally get all seed germination, then once they are approx. 3 to 5 cm or show at least 4 leaves, ( slowly pull seedling from pad as not to pull on the root that has threaded its way through the wool ) and transplant to seedling pots of wet seedling mix, I use a skewer to pierce hole in mix and place seedling root into the soil very gently and allow to grow until they are at a decent size to transplant into ground or pots....
18 Apr 14, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
split (don't sever completely) a lower branch and redirect down into the soil. Just leave the plant attached and hold down with a small weight (a half brick) and push dirt around it til it roots. Then sever the new growth and plant like you would a normal seedling. It is a sure fire way to get a guaranteed clone.
16 Apr 14, dr anju pal (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What is the methodology for capsicum cutting for generating new plants.
11 Apr 14, Ruve Campbell (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Will the same plant produce again next season.
29 Apr 14, Vickie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 2 capsicum plants that were left in from last year. They moped around for a few months then started producing again recently. They will probably be wiped out by frosts over winter though.
04 Apr 14, Theresa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My bell peppers battled to maintain good leaf development and would look like they are wilting. The fruit was small and eventually also wilted. What was the issue. My garden gets irrigated every 2nd day and the soil is well composted. Would you know what the problem was?
13 Mar 14, Bec D (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am having the same issue!! I have a few bell capsicums and a long sweet capsicum, the long ones are growing very fast but the others are smaller than a golf ball and not growing past that!
08 Mar 14, ROBIN Glover (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I was given capsicum plants which were ready to plant out. They didn't grow any bigger than a foot high and only produced very small fruit. They were supposed to be a big plant with big fruit. I have them in a raised bed which was prepared with cow manure, hay and shredded paper with good soil. This is the second time I have tried to grow them. What could be the problem. Can anyone help me. Robin.
Showing 261 - 270 of 518 comments

I had the same thing last year (on the coast south of Sydney), particularly getting burned on the west-facing side, from the hot afternoon sun. The UV seemed to be particularly strong last summer. My cucumber vines all got fried before producing any fruit, unlike the year before which had a good crop. Shade cloth might be the way to go

- Jason

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