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Growing Peppers In Containers
Most varieties of peppers can be grown in containers with relative ease. The important thing to remember about peppers is that timing is everything. If you plant your peppers too early, then frost will possibly kill them. if you plant them too late, then they will never mature in time for you to pick them at a reasonable size.
Pepper seeds should be started about eight weeks before they need to be transplanted. They take about two weeks to germinate, and they require temperatures of at least 80 degrees F. After they germinate, it will be six or eight weeks until they reach the proper size for transplanting.
They can be transplanted into outdoor pots when nighttime temperatures are consistantly above 55 degrees, and daytime temperatures are at least 70 degrees. Buying seedlings is probably easier, because starting your own can be fairly tricky.
When choosing plants from a local garden center or nursery, look for thick, compact, bushy plants. Tall, skinny plants will probably not do well. Also, don't be tempted to buy plants that already have small fruits on them. These plants may never recover from early production, and may never bear truly mature fruit.
It is important to keep peppers warm. They need full sun and very warm weather. Move pots around if necessary to keep them in as much sun as possible.
They love fertilizer that is rich in phosphorous. Superphosphate and bone meal are good for peppers, and should be mixed into the soil when you transplant them into their large pots. Other nutrients that are beneficial for peppers include calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. Do NOT give them too much nitrogen, or you will end up with beautiful plants and no fruit.
Your biggest potential problems are probably going to be aphids and flea beetles. These can be dealt with by using a spray made of soapy water and a bit of tabasco sauce. Pepper plants can also be harmed by some of the same things that harm tomato plants, including tomato mosaic virus.
Peppers can be harvested any time you like. Earlier in the season, you can pick the green peppers. Then later you can leave them on the vines until they ripen to a lovely red.
Most pepper varieties will do well in containers. You can grow bell peppers of any color, and hot peppers including jalapeno, cayenne, chile, Thai Dragon, and habanero. Pretty much any type of pepper will do fine in containers if taken care of properly.
Peppers will need a pot that is at least 8 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter. Most varieties will grow to about 12-16 inches, so plan for a decent sized pot. |
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