California Wonder Capsicum ( Capsicum annuum ) is an open pollinated, heirloom variety, that is one of the most popular in the world. It has large bell-shaped fruit, that is crisp and sweet. Can be picked early for green capsicums or left to ripen for that rich red colour.
There are loads of health benefits from eating capsicum, they are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and can assist with weight loss, anaemia, eye health, bone strength and even have cancer fighting properties.
Capsicums are getting very expensive these days at the supermarket; and let’s be honest, the flavour is never anywhere near as good as fresh from the garden. So, if you love capsicum in your salads, stir fries and on your pizza – why not grow your own; it’s quite an easy plant to grow and can also be kept in a pot.
Growth
The California Wonder Capsicum plant grows to around 75 cm’s tall, 60 cm’s wide and is a prolific fruiter. The fruit is quite large getting to about 10 cm’s in length. Its capsicums start off green and change to red as the ripen; you just pick to suit what you want. Harvesting will encourage more fruiting. Flowers are pretty with 6 white petals, harvest from seed takes 10-13 weeks.
Capsicum’s can be grown in pots and some people prefer to grow them this way in cooler climates. The species name for this chilli is annuum; meaning yearly or annual, however; in tropical climates where they thrive they can live for many years and grow quite large. In climates where temperatures get to below 12°C / 60°F they will die back and depending on how cold your climate gets; may grow back once the weather warms, but very often over winter will die. If you want them to survive over winter, they are best taken indoors and kept in a warm, sunny room.
We always recommend growing your food organically, so when fertilising or trying to keep pests under control, keep in mind that there are always organic options. Your body and family will thank you!
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Solanaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
12 to 40°C / 54 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Compost, nutrient rich soil, that must be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full sun, afternoon shade in hot summer to prevent leaf burn.
HEIGHT:
Up to 75 cm’s (2.5 feet) – can grow larger if in ideal climate.
WIDTH:
Up to 60 cm’s (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Technically it is a perennial plant but usually grown as an annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bisexual flowers. Pollinated by Bees and other insects.
MATURITY:
Average 70-90 days
GERMINATION RATES:
89%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 140
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Store at 4°C/39.2°F (fridge) for up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT CAPSICUM ANNUUM (Capsicum – California Wonder)
Capsicums are known in many countries as ‘peppers’. This name was given by Christopher Columbus, who was responsible for spreading the plant throughout many parts of the world in the 15th & 16th centuries. He gave the name pepper because it tasted similar to the fruit of the black pepper plant; however, they are no relation to the pepper plant at all.
The humble capsicum has been a staple in diets around the world for thousands of years. The largest producer of them is China!
