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

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24 Feb 08, Leisa (Unknown climate)
Once harvested can you cut back and continue to grow and harvest again. We only have 10 plants and they have already yielded.
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19 Feb 08, Jim (Unknown climate)
The capsicum seedlings I bought are producing black capsicums is this normal
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13 Feb 08, jack (Unknown climate)
try buying seedlings as it is easier from there. with bugs just get a thin light mesh to cover your plant but don't do it on smaller plants as it can harm them, but you could post stick in the ground and make a roof kind of area.
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15 Jan 08, liam pilsworth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
why wont my capsicums grow big like the ones in the shop do you have any ideas?
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14 Jan 08, margherita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We live in subtropical Queensland, and have great difficulty in preventing capisum from falling prey to caterpillars. any suggestions?
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08 Jan 08, daniel (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
sally,i have approx 30-40 chilli plants which most are fruiting really well,but i have recently added 12 mexican chilli plants to my garden and they seem to having the same problem as yours.they are planted in containers and i always use the same fertilizers and potting mix as i know it works well on my existing plants.the new plants have almost become plastic like and the new growth at the top of the plant has become stunted-plant still is green and healthy looking though? i live in brisbane and we recently got a lot of rain followed by pretty extreme sunny hot days. also,can anyone advise me on knowing when your chillis are ready for picking,as all the seeds i used for my plants are from red chillis and i seem to have a lot of green fruit that has been on the plants for a few weeks going on a month.i would hat to waste them as i have had a few drop off which i have cut up and put in a jar of good olive oil-a awesome italian oil trick i got from a mates mother from italy-she provided me with my sedds.
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02 Jan 08, jim kitis (Unknown climate)
sally have you done a complete nutrient analysis on your soil? a lot of capsicum plants have leaves that go dark but with them going black and falling off it may be something simple as lackign a trace element. also is your ph spot on? kindest regards jimbo
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07 Dec 07, Sally (Unknown climate)
do you know why my leaves are turning black and falling off my capsicum plant
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Showing 511 - 518 of 518 comments
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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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