How to grow Capsicum

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Capsicum with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow after soil warms. Transplant seedlings outside once soil temperature reaches 15°C (60°F) and all frost danger has passed.

🌰 How to plant

1. Sow seeds indoors in a warm spot (21–29°C) under grow lights; they germinate in 7–14 days.
2. Once seedlings have 2–3 true leaves, thin or transplant into individual pots.
3. Harden off seedlings outdoors over 7–10 days before transplanting to the garden.
4. Plant seedlings at the same depth, spacing 45–60 cm apart in full sun in warm soil.

💧 Care

• Pinch off the first flower cluster to encourage bushier growth and more fruit production.
• Mulch around plants with 5–8 cm of organic material to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
• Feed every 3–4 weeks with balanced fertiliser once flowering begins, or use slow-release granules.
• Stake or support taller varieties to prevent branch breakage under fruit weight.
• Remove any yellowing lower leaves to improve air circulation and prevent disease.

🧺 Harvest

Pick fruits when they reach full size and desired colour (green, red, yellow, orange, or purple depending on variety)—they're sweeter when fully coloured. Cut with pruners rather than pulling to avoid damaging the plant.

🐛 Common problems

Aphids: Spray with water to dislodge them, or use insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves.

Spider mites: Increase humidity by misting leaves; use miticide or neem oil if infestation is severe.

Blossom end rot: Maintain consistent soil moisture and add calcium (lime or crushed eggshells) to prevent this calcium-deficiency issue.

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage, and apply sulphur dust or fungicide if spots appear.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Basil, Parsley, Carrot, Onion

⚠️ Keep apart from: Fennel, Kohlrabi

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