- Plant Info
Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum.
These seedlings prefer full sun and a temperature range of 70°-85°F. The seedlings benefit from a simple 3-4 ft stake or tomato cage placed early to support it once it is bearing fruit. It can possibly benefit from a small amount of phosphorus or calcium granulated fertilizer. Mulching is a great idea.
We strongly recommend companion planting basil and marigolds with the bell peppers.
- How To Sow
If you can’t plant your seedlings right away, be sure to give them plenty of sunlight and keep them moist but not soggy. When you are ready to plant and have prepared the planting area, dig a hole that is slightly larger than the container the plant is in. It helps to lightly water the seedling an hour or two before you transplant it so that the root ball clumps together during the transplant. Leave 24 inches between seedlings.
- After Planting
As the seedling grows and begins to develop bell peppers, they will appear green at first. This is just a sign that the bell pepper is immature.
- Harvest Time
The orange seedlings should mature 85 days after transplanting and start producing ripe fruit. Sunbright Sweet Bell Peppers (yellow) should take 75 days to reach maturity.
A ripe orange bell pepper should appear blocky, at 4-inches diameter. And a ripe yellow bell pepper should appear blocky at 5-inches diameter. For both varieties, harvest when the peppers are ripe, as a delay causes the peppers to become bitter. Harvest by cutting the stem just above the fruit with garden sheers or kitchen scissors. If you are gentle, the plant will continue producing fruit.
R.O.C.K.-Roots Of Care and Kindness Mutual Aid Group 