Capsicum annuum
Family: Solanaceae
Common Name: Sweet pepper, red pepper, chilli pepper

These peppers from tropical South America are very different from the black and white peppers (Piper species) used as spices. They are mostly grown as annuals and are cultivated in a similar way to tomatoes and eggplant. Capsicums are grown for their fruit which comes in many shapes, sizes and degrees of pungency, ranging from the sweet or mild flavored to the very hot. Mild capsicums are used as vegetables and in salads, and today are very popular roasted. They are also used in stuffings, seasonings, sauces and pickles. Chilli peppers are used frequently in Mexican and Asian cooking. Paprika, the Hungarian name for red pepper, is obtained from the less pungent, pointed variety and cayenne pepper, or red pepper, is the grounds of the small, pungent varieties. Several species of this genus of perennials can be grown as ornamental annuals in pots or in garden borders.

Varieties

Seed catalogues list a range of both culinary and ornamental varieties. Culinary peppers are derived from Capsicum annuum, an annual or short-lived perennial; the ornamentals are from this species and also C. frutescens.

Cultivation

The edible peppers are grown as summer annuals, either in an intermediate greenhouse if summers are cool, or outdoors in areas with warm or hot summers, planting out when danger of frost is over. Sow seeds in mid-spring in seed trays or pots and germinate them in a temperature of 20°C (68°F). Pot seedlings individually into small pots and eventually plant 45-60 cm (18-24 in) apart in a soil border, or pot into 25 cm (10 in) pots. Pinch out young plants to encourage bushiness. 'Autumn varieties may need staking. Water moderately, and in summer feed with tomato fertilizer once every two weeks. Provide a humid atmosphere under glass. The fruits can be picked green, or left to ripen and change colour. The ornamental capsicums are raised in the same way and potted on until they are in 12.5 cm IS in) pots. They can be grown in an intermediate greenhouse and make good house plants.

Climate

Zone 10, but grown in all climates as summer annuals.