SCIENTIFIC NAME: Capsicum annuum

CULTURE: Capsicum peppers thrive in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 6.5. Abundant phosphorus and calcium is needed for the best results.

GROWING SEEDLINGS: Sow seed in 20-row or shallow flats, 4 seeds/2.5cm, 6mm deep, in late Sept or about 8 weeks prior to transplanting. If possible, maintain soil temperatures 27-32C. Pepper seeds germinate very slowly in cooler soil. When the first true leaves appear transplant seedlings into 5cm cell-type containers or 10cm pots. Grow plants at approx. 21C day and 16C nights.

COLD TREATMENT: Exposing the seedlings to controlled cold treatments can increase the number of flowers and fruits. When the third true leaf appears, grow the plants at a minimum night temperature of 12-13C for 4 weeks. The plants should receive full sunlight. After 4 weeks adjust temperature to 21C day and night. If this technique is used, peppers should be seeded 1-2 weeks earlier than usual.

TRANSPLANTING: Transplant out after frost when the soil is warm and weather is settled. Ideal seedlings have buds, but no open flowers. Set plants 30-45cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart, or 2 rows on poly/paper mulch, 45cm between plants. Water-in transplants using a high phosphorus solution.

ROW COVERS: Cold weather is buffered and earliness increased by using plastic mulch, especially in combination with lightweight fabric row cover supported by wire hoops. Remove row covers in sunny weather above 29C to prevent blossom drop and heat damage.

INSECT PESTS: Control climbing cutworms with Bacillus thuringiensis (Dipel), or with paper cylinder collars. Control tarnished plant bugs, aphids, and flea beetles with pyrethrin.

DISEASES AND PROBLEMS: To prevent bacterial spot and Phytophthora, drip irrigate only, plant only in well-drained soils, minimize soil compaction, follow a 4-year crop rotation. Sunscald is caused by an inadequate foliage canopy. Prevent blossom end rot with adequate soil calcium and regular moisture. Big bushy plants with few peppers can be caused by an excess of nitrogen, hot or cold temperature extremes during the flowering period, tarnished plant bug injury, and choice of late, poorly-adapted varieties.

NOTE: A disease-free test result does not guarantee a seed lot to be disease-free, only that in the sample tested, the pathogen targeted was not found.

HARVEST AND STORAGE: Pick the first capsicum peppers promptly when they reach full size to encourage further fruit set. Wash and hold at 7C and 95% relative humidity.

DAYS TO MATURITY: Approximate days from transplanting outdoors to first pickings of full size fruit.

AVG. TRANSPLANT SEEDING RATE: 750 plants/1,000 seeds, 19,360 seeds per acre of transplants (avg. 14,520 plants), 30cm between plants in rows 45cm apart.