California Wonder Bell Pepper – MIg

Description

California Wonder Bell Pepper is a classic heirloom variety prized for its large, blocky fruits, thick crisp walls, and mild, sweet flavor. The peppers mature from green to deep red and are excellent for fresh salads, stuffing, grilling, roasting, stir-fries, sauces, and cooking. This productive, compact plant is well suited to warm growing conditions and performs particularly well in the UAE when planted during the cooler parts of the growing season.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors in August.
• Outdoors: Transplant seedlings in early October, when temperatures begin to cool.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 7–14 days in warm soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 30–45 cm apart, with 45–60 cm between rows.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruit development, while avoiding waterlogged conditions.
• Feeding: Apply compost before planting and feed with a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks. Increase potassium once flowering and fruiting begin to support fruit development.
• Support: Provide light staking if needed, as the plants can become heavy with mature peppers.
• Harvest: Green peppers are typically ready approximately 60–75 days after transplanting. Allow an additional 20–30 days for fruits to mature fully to red.
• Harvesting Tips: Pick green fruits when they are firm and full-sized, or leave them on the plant until fully red for a sweeter flavor. Use clean scissors or pruners to avoid damaging the plant.