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

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • 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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21 Sep 08, Lucy Dobinson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
do capsicum plants grow well in big pots? Because I have just planted some seedlings in a big pot, and I am wondering if they will still produce fruit.
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18 Feb 13, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can grow Capsicum in pots quite successfully, keep the soil moist not too wet and feed with nitrogenous fertilizer when fruit are starting to set Tom in Hawkes Bay
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28 Aug 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Diane, you will be able grow capsicums if you start them early under cover so that they have a long growing time.
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03 Aug 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Rebecca, in a temperate zone you can only expect capsicums to be annuals. Remove the plants as they die down and grow new ones for next summer.
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Showing 31 - 34 of 34 comments
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Is it fruit fly? I live in Southern Qld. A friend put me onto an easy fix for fruit fly a couple years age & it really works. I was sceptical & tested it a couple years ago on my tomatoes & no stung fruit. Put strips of fabric (about 1" wide & however long you want), dotted with Vicks Vapour Rub...has to be Vicks....no generics.... (about every 3 or 4 inches) & thread a couple through each plant. Refresh with the Vicks if it rains. I replenished every week through the summer as I was paranoid. Ended up with beautiful fruitfly free tomatoes & made tons of tom sauce, chutney etc.

- Chris

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