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                  
      T T              
      P P              

(Best months for growing Capsicum in USA - Zone 5a 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 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

12 Jan 14, Paula (Australia - temperate climate)
My capsicum plant is in a sunny position, but does not get the afternoon sun. It produces flowers and the early beginnings of fruit but they disappear. Is this possums?? I have just shrouded the plant with a plastic plant protecting bag, open at both ends. Will the plant ever fruit??
07 Dec 13, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
My capiscums hav fruited for the first time. The plants are about 20cm tall and each have 2 fruits and more flowers. The capiscums have only grown to to the size a bit smaller than a ping pong ball byte have started to ripen and wrinkle. Is it best to prune the first fruits to promote new bigger growth?
13 Dec 13, Rosie (Australia - arid climate)
Lisa I have done a little more research on them and I gather that capsicums need calcium for good growth. I have poured a little bit of calf feeding powder milk around the base and also put a 'human' calcium tablet in the soil at the base of the plant. It seems to be helping. Good luck.
30 Nov 13, Rosie (Australia - arid climate)
I need to know what causes my capsicum to develop a 'rot' spot on the lower part of the fruit. They are still very much green and roughly the size of a tennis ball and smaller. Thank you. Cheers Rosie
08 Nov 13, Luke (Australia - tropical climate)
will capsicum grow from a cutting?
28 Nov 13, Sara Sevinc (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes it will. I grow several varieties of capsicum and chilli, and grow new plants from cuttings in Brisbane. You'll need a greenhouse to do this, but if you don't have one, put the cuttings in a large plastic box and that'll work just fine.
22 Nov 13, DrGreenThumb (Australia - tropical climate)
I haven't tried but wouldn't think so. Simply because a cutting would have to come from a shoot. Capsicum don't produce shoots until they are preparing to fruit. I think you will hinder your total yield. Keep us posted if you try.
04 Nov 13, Dennis (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I am interested in Capsicum farming in Congo Brazzaville Which specie of capsicum will favorably grow here?
30 Oct 13, Pat Davis (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a tomatoe planted on a plot above & a capsicum planted in a lower plot, does this mean that I have to dig out the capsicum, put it in a pot & shift it to another part of the garden?? Please advise. Many thanks.
22 Nov 13, DrGreenThumb (Australia - temperate climate)
No. They are actually closely related. Transplanting can stunt growth or shock a plant. Consider this (and all) forums "just advice" Lettuce know how you go.
Showing 281 - 290 of 518 comments

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.

- colleen

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