Capsicums are called all sorts of names, depending on where you originate from. In Australia we generally call them Capsicums but in other parts of the world, they’re referred to as Peppers, Bell Peppers, Sweet Peppers and their botanical name Capsicum annuum.
Cousins of the chilli, Capsicums are sweet, mild, versatile and delicious.
Good to know… all capsicums are green. The length of time you leave them on the plant determines what colour they become. The longer they’re there, the more they change. They can be green, red, yellow, orange and shades of very dark red or even black.
Planting position and soil preparation
Capsicums need at least 6 hours of full sun per day. Make sure the position you choose is not subject to winds or frosts… a decent frost and your beloved plant will keel over. In cold climates, wait until late October or November when the threat of frost has definitely passed. In warmer climates, late August and September is fine and in tropical climates you can go for it all year round.
Capsicums are also related to tomatoes (what a delicious family!) so they too enjoy a soil rich in organic matter. When preparing the area, incorporate compost and a manure based fertiliser into your chosen planting position two weeks prior to planting. Be sure to rotate crops. To minimise the risk of pest and diseased attack, avoid planting your capsicums in the same place you planted them (or tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes) for the last couple of years.
They are also suitable for growing in containers / large pots (the pot size will depend on the size of the capsicum plant you’ve selected). Ensure pots are filled with good quality potting mix. I prefer the ones that are specifically designed for vegetables.
Choosing a capsicum variety
Head down to your local nursery and you’ll discover you are completely spoiled for choice. There’s a large range of varieties to choose from, both seeds and seedlings. Choose a variety based on your how much space you have available and your personal preferences. Love snacking on baby capsicums… go for one of the smaller varieties.
Capsicum ‘Snack Orange’ is a compact variety that produces small, orange tasty fruit that is perfectly suited to pots and small garden spaces.
Capsicum ‘Mini Sweet Red’ is another variety that produces a smaller sized fruit ideal for container gardening and gardens with limited space.
Planting your capsicums
If sowing seeds, plant them into individual containers filled with good quality potting mix at a depth of 0.5cm to 1cm. Cover with the mix and water in. Seeds will germinate in 3 weeks or so. If your area is prone to frost, protect them during the cold nights by moving them to a sheltered position (or even bring them indoors).
Wait until you’re regularly receiving daytime temperatures in the low 20s before transplanting. Your seedings should be around 8-10 cm tall. Plant seedlings roughly 50cm apart, depending on the variety. Ensure adequate ventilation and airflow to minimise the risk of fungal diseases.
Watering
You should water your seedlings regularly for the first 4 weeks. After that initial period, plants can be watered less frequently. Keep the soil moist during warm periods. Be sure to give your capsicums deep waterings less frequently as opposed to shallow waterings more frequently. This encourages deeper root growth and less chance of the plant drying out.
Water your plants first thing in the morning. This reduces moisture loss and the incidence of fungal diseases.
Support and training
This depends on the type of capsicum you’re growing. Some varieties can get quite top heavy and may need a stake or some other type of support. Others are fine without any support.
Ongoing care
Keep a good layer of straw mulch around plants at all times. This helps to reduce moisture loss. Apply a liquid seaweed fertiliser once a month to strengthen plants and encourage growth. Once plants are starting to produce fruit, an application of potassium will assist with promoting good fruit growth. There’s numerous fertilisers specifically designed for this.
Pests & diseases
There’s a few common enemies of the capsicum. Snails, slugs and caterpillars can damage or destroy seedlings and Fruit Fly can lay eggs inside the fruit.
Root Knot Nematode feeds on the roots causing gall-like growths that severely stunt the plant. Blossom End Rot is a fungal diseases that can also pose serious problems.
Companion planting is a good idea. Plant marigolds and basil in amongst your capsicums. These assist in keeping nasty predators at bay.
Harvesting
This is the fun part. Fruit will be ready for picking when it forms its mature colour. As mentioned above, if you want green capsicums, pick the fruit earlier. Red capsicums… leave on the plant for longer. Use sharp, clean secateurs to remove the fruit.
And for the tastiest part… using your harvest into a create delicious dishes such as stuffed capsicums, salads, roasted or char-grilled capsicum and stir-fries. Yum!
