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

27 Jan 11, Da (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you know when they are ready to be harvest?
21 Jan 11, stephen (Australia - temperate climate)
For high germination % of capsicum,is it a must you heat treat the seeds before planting in the nursery?.
04 Jul 11, Selina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted some chilli and capsicum seed out 3 weeks ago and nothing has happened despite it saying 1-2 weeks germination time. They are in seedling trays in a small 4 tier plastic green house on my deck which gets good light. All the other veggies have germinated. Should I wait and see if they appear? Maybe the temp is still too low for them to germinate? Any tips anyone?????????
02 Jan 11, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)
I have tried growing capsicums for the last 2 years, from seedlings. There has been plenty of growth with many flowers which progress to small fruit. The problem is that the fruit falls off when very small. The largest was about 5cm but most are much smaller. I notice that the junctions near the stem often go black. Any suggestions what might be wrong? Thanks
20 Feb 18, Nel Ward (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a problem with my capsicums, the plants look healthy and the capsicums look fine untill they are about the average size when they start to rot. Rotting starts at the stalk end, not the blossom end. I can not detect any fruit fly either. Not sure what is wrong here, use my own compost, water plants well etc. does anyone have antpy idea what the cause might be? Also have trouble growing tomatoes the last few years. All is well when early December they seem to succumb to some sort of wilting disease, very frustrating, and i think it happens with windy weather. I use crop rotation and make sure both capsicums and tomatoes are not grown in same bed as previous years.
03 Apr 11, Jayce (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I had the same problem this yr with my capsicum. Found out almost too late they like a good feed of potash which encourages flowers and in turn fruit. Since giving the caps and my bush tomatoes potash they have gone quite mad with flowers and fruit. My fingers are now crossed that there will be enough warmish weather here n Melbourne that they ripen, same situation with the bush tomatoes. If the latter do not ripen I have a great recipe for green tomato chutney and I'm sure I will find a recipe to suit the caps even if they are tiny. Good luck with your capsicums, if not this year then next yr for sure!
14 Dec 10, Bill (Australia - tropical climate)
where do I buy bell pepper seeds or seedlings.
14 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
Capsicum are biannual with the exception of sweet peppers they tend to be annuals. The trick with capsicum is to sacrifice (cut off) the fruit is produces until the plant is about 50cm tall its painfull because they are prolific while young but the problem with letting them produce straight away is the plant doesnt get any bigger then approx 30cm tall because its putting all its energy into the fruit rather than the plant. Once you get it to 50cm stake it and keep the food up to it (liquid food) and you should get 1 year to 18mths out of it.
03 Nov 10, WarrenMickleson (Australia - temperate climate)
Are Capsicum plants 'Perennial', 'Biennial' or 'Annual' in (Perth) Australia? Or is it a case of "they do continue to grow, however the harvest is poor"?
15 Sep 20, Ann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My red capsicum has maggots. Green too. How often do I water please.
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