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 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 50 cm 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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27 Jul 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
If this happened suddenly, it was probably hornworm caterpillars--they can strip a plant almost overnight. I placed a bird feeder near my peppers and tomatoes, and birds are kindly taking care of the problem for me...but in the short run you might want to dust with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). It's organic, considered highly safe, and will stop the caterpillars from feeding.
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27 Jul 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably some grub/caterpillar, look for killers of these at gardening centers or look up organic sprays on the internet.
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11 May 20, Andrew (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi ,when is the best time to plant peppers,as it is already nearing the winter season.
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12 May 20, Anon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
the top of the page tells you.
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28 Apr 20, Egmo (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do the young fruit fall off the capsicum bush ?
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26 Apr 20, Kath (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have a green and yellow bell pepper plant that are still producing, although the yellow ones are black and I’m not sure if they will turn yellow. Shouldn’t they have finished producing by now? We are still getting some sunny days but the days are shorter and cooler, I’m just wondering if these peppers will reach maturity now we are in Autumn?
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28 Apr 20, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you have had a good/great crop I would be happy with that. They may produce but what is the quality like?
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31 Mar 20, David harris (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicums have just been harvested, should I prune them back (can I prune them) and hope for another crop next season or pull them out and wait to plant seedlings next season.
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05 Apr 20, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive had the same plants in for 3 years and they reproduce every year. This is the best year yet.
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01 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Capsicums will produce over several weeks months. Generally you pull them out when finished.
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Showing 31 - 40 of 521 comments
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Could be a number of reasons ... A common ailment with capsicum is blossom-end rot. This condition just effects the fruit and not the plant blossom or flower. The condition gets its name because the symptoms appear at the ‘blossom end’ of the fruit. The first sign of blossom-end rot is that the end of the fruit becomes off-whitish to brown in colour and takes on a ‘sunken in’ appearance. As the fruit matures, these symptoms become more pronounced and the colour of the rot becomes dark brown to almost black. Blossom-end rot is caused by insufficient calcium supply. However, the most common cause is from irregular watering during the critical growing period of the young fruit. Even when calcium levels in the soil are sufficient, a plant receiving insufficient or irregular water will have difficulty absorbing and delivering calcium to the fruit. To control blossom-end rot. Boost the soil with calcium by adding lime, dolomite, gypsum or composted animal manures before planting the seedlings. Water regularly. Most capsicum crops continue to flower and bear fruit for prolonged periods of time, so ensure the soil around their roots is kept moist. Avoid fertilisers with a high nitrogen content. Nitrogen fertilisers will promote leaf growth at the expense of fruit, allocating calcium to the leaves instead of to the fruit.

- ej

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