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Pepper

Botanical Name

Capsicum annuum

Hardiness

Annual

Height

1 to 3 feet

Width

1 to 3 feet

Flowers

Early to late summer: white

Fruit

Bell types; banana types; chili types; sweet to very hot; variety of colors, flavors and sizes

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well drained, organic

Planting & Care

• Pepper seeds best germinate in warm soil temperatures of 80 F to 95 F. Pepper seeds will not germinate in temperatures below 55 F.
• Start plants indoors 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting outside. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep
• Harden off transplants before planting
• Plant only when all danger of frost has passed and the air and soil have warmed
• Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced 24 to 36 inches apart
• Use floating row covers to protect plants from temperature dips. Extreme heat and cold can cause pepper plants to drop their blossoms.
• Providing even moisture is critical to fruit set and development
• Mulch soil around plants to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture and temperature
• Tall varieties or those with heavy fruit may need staking

Problems

Aphids, borers, cucumber mosaic virus, blossom end rot

Varieties

• Big Early Hybrid - thick walled, 8 inches long, sweet, ripens to red
• Caribbean Red - very hot, habanero type, red flesh, use carefully
• Filus Blue - beautiful ornamental with violet tinged leaves, round purple fruit, great in container grouping