How to grow capsicum at home

How to grow capsicum at home

Capsicums (Capsicum annuum) are a member of the nightshade family. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, from bell peppers to hot chilies. The fruits are harvested when they reach maturity, usually around six weeks after planting. They are common in most vegetable gardens.

Capsicums are a type of pepper, which is native to South America and the Caribbean. They have been cultivated for thousands of years in many different countries around the world. Capsicums are used as vegetables or spices. It has been used as food for centuries. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled. 

Green pepper is easy to grow, even for beginners. You can grow them in your terrace garden, kitchen garden, backyard garden, and balcony garden as well. All you need is a sunny spot in your garden or window box with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight, and adequate watering. Once they start producing fruit, you'll want to harvest them frequently. There are many varieties of capsicum in attractive colors like Green capsicum, Orange capsicum, Red bell pepper, Yellow capsicum, and so on. 

If you're new to growing vegetables, it's best to start small. You can plant seeds directly into the soil in the garden bed, but if you have access to a greenhouse, that would be ideal. If not, then start with seedlings instead. You can grow them capsicum in pots as well. 

Growing capsicums at home is easy, just follow these instructions: plant them in pots, water them regularly, and fertilize them once a month. The best way to grow capsicums is to start seeds indoors in early spring, then transplant them into the garden when they reach about 4 inches tall.

To get started, you will first need to prepare the potting mix which has rich soil. This should consist of equal parts peat moss and perlite, plus a little bit of fertilizer.

Next, sow the seeds on the prepared bed. Cover them lightly with more of the same mixture, and keep moist until germination occurs. When this happens, remove the cover and continue watering as needed.

After two weeks, thin out the plants so they are spaced evenly apart. After another week, they should be ready to move outdoors. Plant them in full sun, and give them plenty of room to grow.

Once they've reached their final size, you can begin harvesting the fresh capsicums.

Here is a setup way to grow healthy plants.

How to grow Capsicum from seed 

  1. You can grow capsicums from seed very easily. To grow them from seed, you will need to start them indoors about eight to ten weeks prior to planting outside.grow capsicum
  2. When planting, make sure you choose a location that receives adequate sunlight. It's important that the light is strong enough to promote good root development.
  3. Keep the temperature between 20°C and 25°C during the day, and 15°C at night.grow capsicum
  4. Water the seedlings daily, using a fine sprayer. Ensure the soil is moist at all times during germination.
  5. At around three months old, the seedlings should be transplanted into larger containers.grow capsicum
  6. It's now time to harden off the plants by gradually exposing them to cooler temperatures over several days. As soon as the weather starts to cool down, place the plants outside in a sheltered area where there is no direct sunlight.
  7. Continue doing this every few days until the plants are fully acclimatized.
  8. When the weather has warmed up again, you can bring the plants back inside. They should now be ready to go outside permanently.grow capsicum

How to Grow Capsicum from Cuttings 

  • Cuttings are an excellent alternative to sowing seeds, especially if you don't want to spend too much time tending your plants.
  • Gather some healthy stems, and trim away any leaves or flowers.
  • Plant the cuttings in small pots filled with compost, and keep them in a warm, sunny spot.
  • As the leaves appear, pinch them back to encourage new growth.
  • The best way to grow capsicum from cuttings is to use a propagator. This is basically a plastic container with a lid. You fill it with potting soil, plant the cutting in the middle, then close the lid.
  • If you don't have access to a propagator, you can simply put the cuttings in a shallow tray filled with potting soil.
  • Cover the tray with clear plastic wrap, making sure that none of the plastic touches the soil.
  • Leave the tray somewhere warm and sunny for two weeks.
  • After this time, remove the plastic cover and check on the cuttings regularly.
  • They should be ready to transplant when the first true leaf appears.
  • Once the plants have been established, they can be moved outdoors.

Proper care for your capsicum plants 

Capsicums need plenty of water and sunlight. Deep waterings are good for plants.  Make sure the soil is rich in organic matter or organic waste. Regular organic fertilizer and liquid fertilizer application results in good yield. They also require regular pruning to keep them healthy. If you don't prune your capsicums regularly, they may grow too large and become bitter. Tomato is a good companion plant for capsicum. You can also apply organic mulch to the top layer of soil which helps in keeping diseases at bay and keeps soil damp. Bell pepper plant care is quite simple once you understand the requirements of the plant.  

Pests and diseases of capsicum

Capsicum plants are susceptible to common pests and diseases such as aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, thrips, leafhoppers, mealybugs, and powdery mildew. Diseases of capsicums include anthracnose, bacterial wilt, black rot, downy mildew, gray mold, powdery mildew, root rot, stem rot, and verticillium wilt. You can grow disease-resistant capsicum variety to minimize pest attacks.

Health benefits of capsicum

Capsaicin is found in peppers such as bell pepper, chili pepper, cayenne pepper, jalapeno, pimento, and serrano. Capsaicin has been shown to help reduce pain and inflammation. The active ingredient in Capsicum annum is called capsaicin, which is also known as "capsicum." Capsaicin helps reduce pain and inflammation.

Capsaicin has been shown to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. It also helps prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 

Capsaicin may also help prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other conditions. It may even help fight obesity. Capsaicin works by stimulating certain cells in the body that release substances that block pain signals.

Capsaicin stimulates neurons in the spinal cord and brain that send messages to the rest of the body. These nerve endings are called nociceptors. They detect heat, pressure, and sharp pain. When capsaicin activates these receptors, it triggers the release of chemicals that cause pain relief.

Capsaicin stimulates the production of gastric juices. This helps break down protein and fat in your diet. It also reduces appetite.

Capsaicin stimulates the secretion of bile and enzymes in the liver. Bile is an important substance that breaks down fats into smaller particles so they can pass through the digestive system. Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. Both of these substances help digest foods.

Capsaicin increases blood flow to the skin and mucous membranes. This improves circulation and speeds healing after injury or infection.

Capsaicin stimulates the respiratory tract, helping to clear mucus and phlegm from the lungs. It also helps keep the throat moist.

Capsaicin stimulates the kidneys to produce more urine. This helps flush out toxins and waste products.  

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Extra reading 

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Vegetable seed online

 

Happy Gardening!

Dr. Vandana K.