Growing Peppers

Peppers (Capsicum) are small shrubs of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the same family as tomatoes and potatoes. There are five species of Capsicum grown, but most in the United States are Capsicum annuum. While long lived in the tropics, most peppers in California are grown as annuals. Species groups are divided into cultivars based on fruit shape, flavor and use in cooking. There is a tremendous variation in fruit size, color, pungency and shape as well as plant growth habit. 

There are over 120 bell pepper cultivars available that ripen into a spectrum of colors from shades of red, orange, yellow, green and brown. The heat of peppers (pungency) is a complex of related alkaloids, often called capsaicin for the most prevalent one. Capsaicin is produced inside the fruit in glands on the seed-producing placenta. Seeds are not the source of the pungency, but can absorb capsaicin because they grow close to the placenta tissue. Like wine tasting, those experienced with peppers can detect subtle flavors of chilies. For example, ancho is sweetish, chipotle is smoky, mirasol is fruity, and mulato is chocolaty. Further, there are differences in flavor depending on whether pods are ground, toasted, soaked in water, or eaten fresh. 

KINDS OF PLANTS Sweet Bell Types Bell Boy California Wonder Yolo Wonder Keystone Resistant Giant Jupiter Golden Summer Hybrid Golden Bell Early Pimento Sweet Yellow or Cubanelle Sweet Banana Gypsy Hy-Fry Cubanene HOT Hungarian Yellow Wax Anaheim Anaheim TMR 23 Cayenne Long Red Slim Serrano Chili Pepper Tam Mild Jalapeno Jalapeno M (very hot) 

REQUIREMENTS Peppers hate cold and fog – love hot weather. Optimum growing temperatures and daytime temperatures below 90ºF and nighttime temperatures above 60º F. They need full sun all day. Frost injures or kills pepper plants. Plants grow like tomatoes, needing well drained warm soil with moderate fertility. 

SOIL PREPARATION AND PLANTING See ‘Growing Tomatoes in Napa County’ for specific soil preparation and fertilizer suggestions. Set 2-to 4- inch tall transplants into warm soil after soil reaches 75º F. Space most varieties of peppers 1 foot apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart. Protect new plants with a ‘hot cap’ or similar device to favor heating the soil around your newly planted peppers. Water carefully to avoid root rot or ‘damping-off’ diseases, Healthy Garden Tips 2 particularly in cool weather conditions. When plants reach 10 inches high you can begin to water more deeply and less frequently. Keep weeds under control. 

CARE Water like tomatoes. Plants must start off and grow rapidly after transplanting or they will start blooming and set fruit while they are too small. Do not fertilize after mid season. Keep tall plants tied-up so they do not get diseases from touching the soil. Let the ground surface dry between irrigations. Keep weeds under control. Destroy diseased plants. 

COMMON PROBLEMS Seedlings and transplants are attacked by cutworms, flea beetles, Diabrotica beetles, slugs and snails. Watch for flower damaging insects such as aphids, lygus and thrips when local weeds and grasses begin to dry. Protect with vegetable dust or insecticidal soap. Later in the season you may find caterpillars, aphids or weevils. Those are big enough to simply remove when you spot them. (Note: some of these insects only feed at night.) Fruits may be scorched by heat or get blossom end rot from being too dry. Be sure to give extra deep irrigations during hot weather. Major diseases attack roots – avoid by proper watering and planting in different ground each year. Virus diseases are spread by aphid insects and produce stunted plants with few fruit and with funny colored leaves. Destroy any diseased plants. 

HARVESTING Expect to harvest after 110 to 150 days after transplanting. Peppers are usually eaten after they begin to color. Rapid color development occurs at temperatures between 65 to 75º F, but stops below 50 and above 80º F. Color develops poorly in fall weather. 

TRICKS Use transplants. Plant into warm soil with plastic cover to help rapid growth. Remove early flowers to get bigger plants. Water deeply, not frequently. Do not over water. Plant into a different spot each year.