An exciting pepper to add to your collection of beautiful sweet bell peppers. It’s so pretty, some gardeners grow it for its ornamental beauty in beds, or large containers with flowers. Thick walled, sweet, crisp and moist. Mix with red, green, yellow and orange peppers for a palette of colorful veggies. 70 days from transplanting.
The pepper is native to Central and South America, where explorers during the time of Christopher Columbus discovered it and took it with them back to Europe at the end of the 16th century. They became called "pepper" in Spanish, or pimiento, because their spicy flavor brought the spice black pepper to mind.
~ planting ~
When to start inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before average last frost. In USDA zones 9 & 10, can also sow in midsummer for fall crop. Start pepper seeds indoors in peat pots about 8 weeks before the last expected spring frost. Sow them 1/4" deep and keep the soil at 80-85 degrees F until germination; provide sunlight or a grow light for 12-16 hours a day. When the outdoor temperature reaches 60-65 degrees F during the day and no less than 50 degrees F at night, transplant the seedlings 12-16" apart. Exposing the plants to the weather for several hours a day before transplanting may help prevent shock. Peppers also grow well in containers or raised beds.
When to sow outside: 2 to 4 weeks after average last frost when air temperature is at least 70°F and soil temperature is at least 65°F.
~ harvesting ~
Harvesting sweet peppers is basically a matter of personal preference regarding color and sweetness. Generally, the longer the peppers mature on the vine, the sweeter they will taste. Mature peppers, however, signal the plant to stop producing; if the peppers are picked when still at the green stage, the plant will go on producing. Always use a knife or scissors to remove peppers to prevent damage to the fragile stems.
