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

23 Mar 10, Nicole (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I also have the problem of my capsicums rotting before they ripen. Plants are healthy and fruit is large and healthy but they take ages to ripen and then seem to rot before the process is complete. Any advice??
15 Mar 16, Wendy (Australia - tropical climate)
I have the same problem. I have been advised that they like potash once a week so that may also help them to ripen I am going to try garden lime, Epson salt, tomato fertilizer and fish fertilizer as per the following video and see how mine go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdfnhXJU9fM
28 Sep 15, Brenda (Australia - tropical climate)
Some of my My capsicum leaves are turning brown on the edges & dropping off. I have fruit in the tree that don't seem to be affected yet. Any suggestions on what could be causing this.
27 Feb 15, frank (Australia - temperate climate)
the leaves on my capsicums are wilting but I cant see any bugs on them
23 Feb 15, melina (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i have read somewhere this is due to inconstant watering and that the plant is not able to absorb something???? It may be calcium I think, and that you need to add agricultural lime to the soil, I think its called blossom end rot
14 Feb 14, noeline hoyle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I too have capsicum rotting ,is there some spray to use please/
15 Jan 13, Emma (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I am having the exact same problem with the capsicums rotting before they are ready to pick. Was there a solution to this? Thanks, Emma
22 Mar 10, Sacha (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted 3 capsicum trees last September and have had some great produce over the summer. At the beginning of Feb they started looking sad and stopped producing fruit. I fertilised them and they have started producing fruit again but the fruit rots before it ripens on the tree. What should i do?
08 Oct 10, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Sacha & Nicole, Try picking the fruit when there is a darkish/brown patch (5 cent size) on bottom of fruit. This is when the fruit has started to ripen. I have purchased the green fruit at the supermarket like this and stored in the fruit bowl until it has ripened. Often green is cheaper than red at the supermarket. When you have too much to use fresh, slice/dice and freeze in small lots to use later --- great flavour to quiches, stirfry, rissotto etc. Cheers
19 Mar 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 4 capsicums growing in pots which are just flowering apart from the constant attack of green caterpillars that I pick off regularly the plants seem to be doing reasonably well until. But recently some of the leaves, top one mainly, are curling. Can you advise what can be done to help guard against the caterpillars, and the leaf curl. Thank you.
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