How to Grow Capsicum
Capsicum grows well in warm temperatures in direct soil but may also be grown indoors as seedlings. They require good watering and frequent fertilizing to ensure healthy produce.
These are just few of the things that you need to learn when growing capsicum.
Capsicum is usually associated with the sweet pepper but may also be used to describe hot peppers as well. They grow slowly and sometimes take more than five months until you can harvest them. They require high temperature and are very sensitive to salt. They are initially grown in seed tray and are planted out in a month or so. The ideal soil temperature is between 18 degrees and 35 degrees C. It is usually harvested in 10-12 weeks and may be cut from the plant with a sharp knife.
The growth of your capsicum depends on the climate of the area you plan on planting it in. In warm climates you may plant capsicum in the soil direct, in cold climates you may want to keep your seeds indoors and transfer them to larger pots once they grow bigger. When they are big enough to plant into the ground, do so when it is warm enough and be able to keep the plants at least eighteen inches from each other. Water regularly and it will also be a good idea to keep them well fertilized. Make sure however not to water them too much since they must be dry for a while between your watering. Prune them to concentrate the nutrients on particular branches, and to ensure a healthy and good harvest.
Add fertilizer at least once a month when you see that the fruit is starting to form. You may start harvesting your crops once the peppers are at least 3 inches in diameter. Continuous harvest will make the plant create more produce.
The peppers are initially green, as they mature they turn yellow, then red and finally orange. Harvest according to what type of peppers you need or prefer.
There comes a time thought that the capsicums become less productive over the years, therefore you may have to replant with new seedlings. They are also perennial plants, meaning that during the winter season they go dormant and they resume their growth and development in the spring. They have similar requirements to tomatoes however do not require as much phosphorus as they prefer calcium.
The plant is best positioned in clear view of the sun or at slight shade. They may be grown inside as seedlings, in pots or outside in direct soil. They are heat tolerant yet not frost tolerant. When harvesting one may twist the fruit off the branch however since they are very sensitive and brittle, it may be best to cut off the fruit with a sharp knife or scissors. They bear many fruit yet not all may be of ideal health, so it is best to prune some flowers or fruits to keep the nutrients flowing to particular produce only. Aphids, other pests and common bacteria should be taken care of immediately upon identification.
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ganeshnursery2000@gmail.com || Capsicum Farming Consultant
1. how can i protect my capsicum and cucumber from above 40 degree heat in high tunnel.
2. sowing time of nursery of pepper and method of sowing in gujrat in summer.
3. can i use spun bonded(non woven) material for high tunnel.
4. how much height of tunnel make role in reducing heat.
5. do colour shaded cloth play any role to reduce heat please guide me
1. For controlling temperature, please use three thermometers. One for ground temp, second for air temperature inside your greenhouse or tunnel and third for outside temperature. Temperatures inside the greenhouse above 33-35 c can be damaging. To bring the 40 degrees temp down, you can use dark green mesh on roof for shade and also proper ventilation( small battery operated exhaust fans near the roof of green house) can be helpful. Also align your greenhouse during construction in North South direction to avoid Afternoon Sun through roof. The dark mesh can be used on sides in this case.
2. Aug sept and also march can be ideal for sowing if using two crops a year otherwise plan it in a way that transplantation takes place after peak summer in Gujrat.
3. Non woven material can also be used if you have proper ventilation planned. Aim is to regulate temp.
4. Height > 15 feet is ideal but higher the roof, better is it though it is more costly to go higher. So it will depend on budget if you are using only one layer crop.
5. Dark green cloth can be useful to reduce heat with ventilation. You have to balance it with provision of sun light. Though dark colors absorb more heat but can be used for shade purpose if greenhouse is ventilated by exhaust fans. All the best,
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@Galvani ankit, Gujrat has very good structure for agricultural produce marketing. For beginners, its better to sell it the conventional way in local vegetable markets to commission agents and wholesale buyers. Later on, one can undertake direct marketing and supply to retail chains like Bharti walmart, Reliance fresh etc. Also Gujrat has big tourism industry and most hotels would be happy to get regular supply of fresh vegetables from a farmer like you. Regards,
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@rajesh, It seems from your email that you really have a nice piece of fertile land with proximity to river water. 10 acres is ideal size land holding for cultivation of vegetables on commercial scale. You have not mentioned about the returns you are getting from wheat and pulses cultivation but going by general knowledge I would say that you can almost double your profits by switching to vegetable cultivation using scientific methods. Its not difficult at all since you already seem to have the basic farming knowledge. If you do not want to convert whole of 10 acres into vegetable farming, you can do it in phases i.e you can start with just 2 acres to begin with and gain experience and expertise and also compare your efforts and profits as compared to conventional wheat cultivation. You can write here giving more details about the area which you would like to begin for vegetables(capsicum in particular) and what kind of budget you got? Also mention about the soil quality? Please get the soil tested if not done yet? Also if you have a source of electricity and water pump etc and how much labour you can put in( self and also hired contractual)? Since you already growing pulses, that piece of land would be better for vegetable plantation for soil quality. All the best. Regards,
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@saiendra sahoo, You can definitely grow capsicums in Orissa. But I am only doubtful about coastal areas or wetlands like Chilka lake in your state. Best would be to get the soil tested and send in the results and then I can say with more authority about the success of capsicum farming. Please mention about location, type of soils, water quality, irrigation method and area on which you want to establish this farm. All the best. Regards,
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@babu, Being a farmer myself I understand your plight about declining profits. I do not want to make a Political statement here but no govt has done something CONCRETE AND MEANINGFUL for FARMERS. I will try and answer your question although you have not given sufficient information.
Capsicums and for that matter, other vegetables like tomato, brinjals, onions, garlic can definitely give higher returns than conventional wheat, paddy, sugarcane. But a lot depends on the location of your farm, your marketing setup, weather, soil quality, irrigation and also area of farm and of course your budget. vegetable farming is more difficult( time and regular supervision needed) and would need more personal attention by farmer. While conventional crops are easier to manage and sell and as we call it in local language that it can be done by ABSENTEE FARMER ALSO because of less efforts and organised purchase.
If you are willing to work hard and commit more time, you can SURELY make better profits from these alternative options specially small farmers. I can give detailed inputs if you write here with complete details of your farm and intentions. All the best.
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@priya, Since you mentioned that the 75 mango trees have been planted recently, there is possibility to set up green house for capsicums and vegetables but in next 3-4 years you might face problems with space management when the trees will be growing taller. I would suggest setting up of green house in the eastern part of your farm and the length of green house in north-south direction. These capsicum plants need good sunlight of proper cultivation. Alternatively you can go in for shade loving plants under mango trees till those trees are still growing. All the best. Regards,
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@santsh kumar pathak, The cost can be anything from Rs.125/sq yard to Rs.1500/sq yard depending upon the type of Green house( i.e Poly green house, Fibre green house, energy generating solar Synthetic greenhouse etc) and it also depends on location as each state has a different policy for subsidy( States like Punjab offer upto 50% subsidy)...and also the kind of crops you intend to cultivate, weather, irrigation method, size....etc. Since you already work in agri company, I don't know if you asked the question for business or self set up?
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@Aditya yaga, yes, you can determinately start capsicum cultivation on your 5 acres. But its not clear if you want to go in for greenhouse or open conventional cultivation? And also your previous exp as farmer, soil quality and irrigation available. If you write with these details, I can provide more specific information. All the best, Regards,
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@Aditya yaga, It seems you do have some farming knowledge and experience. Capsicums can add on to your income for sure. But they are a bit delicate to grow as compared to sugarcane and Palm trees which you mentioned you grow. One way to begin can be to buy capsicum saplings from a good nursery or a capsicum farmer and start by transplanting them on your farm.
Other option can be to sow the seeds yourself in small trays using manure and organic compost under controlled environment like a Poly tunnel. Please ensure that temperatures do not go below 20 celcius and above 35-38 celcius. Once they are 3-4 inches tall, transfer them to pots or larger trays for roots to have enough space to grow. Once they are 8-12 inches tall, you can transplant them to your fields which should have been plouged a number of times and well fertilised. Since I am not aware of temperature conditions at your farm, I cannot suggest time. But ideally in North, we plant the seeds in Jan-feb in poly tunnels and transplant the saplings in summer i.e march and get the fruits by June July till Nov.. Capsicums do not like extreme cold and do well in hot conditions with good irrigation.You can use sprinklers for irrigation in open fields and also drip. It can help conserve power and water and also give good returns by giving sufficient water to plants. Treat the soil with vermi manure before transplanting and first watering. If you have enough vermi manure, you do not need chemical fertilisers. For pests, you can prepare your own neem spray if you have those trees around and avoid the pesticides. Regular inspection of plants and pruning the diseased branches and leaves can help control pests too. I hope this helps, if you need more info, please write the specific questions and I will try and answer. If you happen to travel to North to Punjab, you are welcome to visit our farms and get first hand information for free. All the best, Amarjit Singh Bhattal
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@sohinderpal, Dear Sohinderpal jee, You have not mentioned the location of your land, type of soil, irrigation source and your budget in your question. In general I would say that vegetable farming is tough and technical as compared to wheat/paddy cycle but with dedication and hard work with right knowledge inputs you can earn much more from the same piece of land than wheat/paddy.
You are right about the demand of these vegetables. Floriculture is totally a different field and the set up required and also inputs needed vary a lot as compared to vegetables. Marketing your produce of vegetables and flowers is very important and your profits depend on how well you market your produce because unlike wheat/paddy and few other crops which are regulated by Govt by MSP, vegetables and flowers have very fluctuating prices and demand depending upon the season, location and marketing set up. I suggest you start small experimental farm on small piece of land of couple of acres and before trying any exotic flowers or vegetables, you should grow those vegetables which you have experience in and are confident of. lady finger, karela, tori are much more sturdy than capsicum. After some time you can expand as much as you can handle and you will definitely get good returns. Start with getting your soil tested in a lab, also get water quality inspected. Also decide if you want to grow them commercially or want to grow them organic( jaivik). Accordingly is the treatment and further operations. You can write back with more specific details and we shall definitely share whatever inputs we can for your help. All the best. Jai Jawan, jai Kissan. Amarjit Singh Bhattal
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@NILESH PATEL, Please email me with details about the size of greenhouse you want to establish, approx budget for this, your farming experience and also all the information about location of farm, soil type, infrastructure existing on your farm and what kind of labour you have or can be managed? Based on this I can suggest the viable options.
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert
@h s mohanty, The income target you have mentioned is possible in that size farm. But firstly you have to budget your investment and decide accordingly to go in for open cultivation or green house? Growing capsicum in controlled environment gives much higher returns than open cultivation but one has to invest in infrastructure first and most state govt give incentives to promote it. Once you decide, things will fall in place with dedication and patience. All the best.
captbhattal@gmail.com || Farming Expert