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

10 Jan 13, DEdwards (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in a temperate region, and my capsicums are a late bloomers (planted them in October). Make sure you water them at the base, direct to the roots - an overhead sprinker hinders pollination. I had a few really late frosts in my area, I think this may have slowed down their growth as well. Be patient :)
16 Jan 13, Ferran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
a friend who runs a garden shop told me that that it was a disease that her caps had got a few years ago as some of the leaves have turned golden and dry in some patches i think this may be the cause I am watching them carefully although perhaps having come to that conclusion i should pull them out. I planted some more of the same seeds in nutritious soil rather than seed mix (still in trays) and perhaps because of this or the warmer weather they are going relay well with thicker stems and wider greener leaves and the appearance of second leaves in week two (this is just healthy garden soil). hope fully these stronger pants will with stand disease. i am not afraid of frost where i am but will plant these new ones in a different patch of soil. thank you for your quick response.
03 Jan 13, Barbara Campbell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grew capsicums very successfully last year, but have planted more seeds and all I am getting is leafy bushes with red leaves at the top of the plant, and not a capsicum in sight. What am I doing wrong?
17 May 13, Alison McGregor (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Barbara, I had the same thing happen last year, those plants somehow survived a very hot wet summer and through autumn produced masses of fruit and are also now producing masses of new fruit after I pruned them back hard and started applying a vegetable targeted liquid plant fertilizer with seaweed included. I also added lime around the plants and sprayed the leaves with a bit of epsom salts dissolved in water around the time I pruned them. Don't give up on these ones give them a prune at the end of winter and they will come back for you, if you live in a cooler area you may have to wait til spring but if you get no frost they will come back bigger and better when the weather warms up later this year, caps do last longer than one year and I find they produce much more in the second year than the first, when they put most effort into producing strong stem and branch to support the weight of the following years fruit. Honestly one plant that did this weird year long wait had about 11 fruit on it in March. Sometimes it's better when they start out slow, good luck mate.
28 Dec 12, CJ (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My capsicum plants took off great guns, then about 2 weeks ago the leaves started yellowing a little bit and growth seems t have stopped. I had a little muncher helping himself but he was soon dismissed (flicked away, hasn't been back). They're well watered in a good draining soil. What else do I need to do to help them along. I'm no green thumb. LOL
22 Dec 12, graham (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you over water capsicum plants.when they are getting close to pick they start to go rotten.
09 Dec 12, Grace (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 3 plants about 10cm high 2 of them have yellowing leaves that are curled, I have Blood & boned, Is there anything you can recommend to help them please ?
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.
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.
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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