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
              S S S S  
                T T T  
              P P P P  

(Best months for growing Capsicum in South Africa - Semi-arid regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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

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.
30 Oct 15, Annie (Australia - temperate climate)
just starting out with my veggie garden ....I bought some Capsicum plants from the nursery they are about 5 or 6cm in height they have been in the ground for 3 or 4 weeks but are not growing at all now 2 out of the 6 look like they are starting to die what am I doing wrong ? I have put worm wee ( diluted) on them once a fortnight is this ok ?
06 Nov 15, Sandra (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Annie About half of my capsicum plants don't thrive, putting out tiny fruit. I don't know why either. If you don't get a reply here try Australian Gardening Group on Facebook, they're fabulous.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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