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

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10 Jan 13, Ferran (Australia - temperate climate)
i think that this is a disease that i have noted on some plants at some garden shops my chilli have it but are still fruiting with more chilli than can be eaten. with out seeing your plants ii couldn't tell if that is what it was. look up capsicum diseases on images and you may be able to find something to do about them.
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06 Dec 12, lucy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i am sorry, look for poo, bit hard now, round balls its catapillers grubs, plants will not regrow.
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05 Dec 12, Maree (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm growing Capsicum by seeds,they are growing quite good,until now.Where something has been stripping them,but leaving the leaves on the ground,some i been totally bit off,but haven't been eaten.What would do that ?I have bird nets over my veggie gardens.So understand what you mean there Stan.
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03 Dec 12, Stan (Australia - temperate climate)
i planted our capsicum seedlings 4 weeks ago and they were travelling quite well. then overnight something has come along and stripped every leaf off all plants and just left the stalk. What is the likely think that did this? also will they recover?
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19 Jan 13, Emily (Australia - temperate climate)
the same thing has happened to me overnight! I once had a healthy, about 40cm plant, and now all I have is stalk. I hope that it can recover... I am not sure who did this to it either! Also had by Chilli plant attacked, where all the chillis were taken off and half eaten - they havnt touched the leaves.
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19 Nov 12, Nat (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicums are tiny, haven't grown much at all, but the leaves are all turning inward/curling up.... HELP!!!
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23 Nov 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
try appling wuxal you can buy it at all good nerserys
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16 Nov 12, sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
I have capsicums in my garden, they are very healthy looking, but the fruit is small - maybe 4-5cm and start to ripen. the skin is very thin and full of seeds. what am I doing wrong?
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20 Oct 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
can u grow marigold around them?
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15 Oct 12, Angie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Might be suffering from lack of water if you are east coast. Suggest regular deep watering and see if that helps
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Showing 331 - 340 of 521 comments
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Cow manure tends to have a low nutrient analysis because it comes from animals grazing on grass. This makes it great as a general purpose soil conditioner and great for phosphorous-sensitive native plants when it's well rotted. Raw Chook manure usually has the highest nutrient content and always has a higher nitrogen level, making it great for fertilising lawns and for use in the vegie garden. However, it needs to be mixed well with soil to reduce the impact of being over rich (hot). You don't need much. Note: High nitrogen levels can be a cause of Capsicum blossom-end rot which appears as sunken brown spots on the sides or end of the fruit.

- ej

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