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 S S
T T               T T T

(Best months for growing Capsicum in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

07 Feb 14, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes having the same problem, Does anyone have any answers on this one
19 Feb 14, julian (Australia - temperate climate)
Very hot weather can shock the plant and cause the flowers to drop. It could also be magnesium or calcium deficiency. Try a couple of table spoons of epsom salts (for magnesium) around the base and some blood & bone (for calcium). Calcium will take a long time to uptake so be patient. good luck
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.
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.
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