Capisicum - Bell Peppers
In an old book on vegetable growing in New Zealand the authors say, “Capsicums are not much in demand but are sometimes used in making pickles...”. Times have certainly changed!
Capsicums, bell peppers, sweet peppers - they’re correctly known as a fruit, and in fact the red pepper has a deliciously sweet flavour, but they’re used as a vegetable, mainly raw and crunchy in salads, but also in casseroles or as a garnish. And they look great in a bowl - especially a mixture of red, yellow and green.
To supply an average family, you’ll need about a dozen plants. Their neat upright shape means they do not take up a lot of room. And because they’re ornamental you could make a feature of them in a courtyard or garden near the house.
Growing guide
If you can grow outdoor tomatoes, you can grow peppers - it’s easy as long as you provide conditions suitable for rapid growth. They require a light, well-drained, warm and nutrient-rich soil in a warm, sunny location protected from strong winds. They need several months growth to get to the first picking.
Capsicum are frost tender so be careful in areas prone to late frosts. They can easily be grown in a glasshouse or in a container on the patio.
Sow fresh seed in a tray, and place it in a glasshouse or warm sunny place any time between September and November. The seeds should germinate quickly and grow into nice healthy plants. When they’re large enough, pot them individually into small 75-100 mm pots and grow them in similar conditions until they’re big enough to plant outside.
If you’re buying plants, choose strong, healthy, bright green specimens. There are many varieties to choose from - ‘Californian Wonder’ and ‘Yolo Wonder’ are popular.
When plants are strong and growing vigorously, carefully plant them out at 300-400 mm intervals in well-prepared ground in the warmest spot you have. To ensure rapid growth, make sure the plants are watered well, and occasionally apply liquid fertiliser. In cooler areas a cloche can be used but do not 'cook' the plants in it. If they stop growing for a period they won’t produce as much good quality fruit. During the growing season make sure the area is weed free. You must make sure the plants keep growing all the time to get a good crop. Some additional fertilizer will help. As the plants grow some may need some staking or supporting.
These are are the same as affect most plants, the worst being sucking insects (eg. aphids and white fly) and chewing insects (caterpillars). Normal garden sprays will control these.
Picking normally done when the peppers are green. It saves the plant energy in producing seed and ripening the fruit to its red colour. Picking green capsicums also encourages the plants to produce more fruit.
Capsicum plants will last right through until the first frosts arrive. Harvest all the fruit when it looks as it frosty weather is on its way.
Photo downloaded from http://barmac.com.au/problem/capsicum/ 2 Nov 2016
Capsicums, bell peppers, sweet peppers - they’re correctly known as a fruit, and in fact the red pepper has a deliciously sweet flavour, but they’re used as a vegetable, mainly raw and crunchy in salads, but also in casseroles or as a garnish. And they look great in a bowl - especially a mixture of red, yellow and green.
To supply an average family, you’ll need about a dozen plants. Their neat upright shape means they do not take up a lot of room. And because they’re ornamental you could make a feature of them in a courtyard or garden near the house.
Growing guide
If you can grow outdoor tomatoes, you can grow peppers - it’s easy as long as you provide conditions suitable for rapid growth. They require a light, well-drained, warm and nutrient-rich soil in a warm, sunny location protected from strong winds. They need several months growth to get to the first picking.
Capsicum are frost tender so be careful in areas prone to late frosts. They can easily be grown in a glasshouse or in a container on the patio.
Sow fresh seed in a tray, and place it in a glasshouse or warm sunny place any time between September and November. The seeds should germinate quickly and grow into nice healthy plants. When they’re large enough, pot them individually into small 75-100 mm pots and grow them in similar conditions until they’re big enough to plant outside.
If you’re buying plants, choose strong, healthy, bright green specimens. There are many varieties to choose from - ‘Californian Wonder’ and ‘Yolo Wonder’ are popular.
When plants are strong and growing vigorously, carefully plant them out at 300-400 mm intervals in well-prepared ground in the warmest spot you have. To ensure rapid growth, make sure the plants are watered well, and occasionally apply liquid fertiliser. In cooler areas a cloche can be used but do not 'cook' the plants in it. If they stop growing for a period they won’t produce as much good quality fruit. During the growing season make sure the area is weed free. You must make sure the plants keep growing all the time to get a good crop. Some additional fertilizer will help. As the plants grow some may need some staking or supporting.
These are are the same as affect most plants, the worst being sucking insects (eg. aphids and white fly) and chewing insects (caterpillars). Normal garden sprays will control these.
Picking normally done when the peppers are green. It saves the plant energy in producing seed and ripening the fruit to its red colour. Picking green capsicums also encourages the plants to produce more fruit.
Capsicum plants will last right through until the first frosts arrive. Harvest all the fruit when it looks as it frosty weather is on its way.
Photo downloaded from http://barmac.com.au/problem/capsicum/ 2 Nov 2016