First Time Growing Peppers

Hey folks,


I decided I'd take a stab at trying to get some plants to grow, particularly bell peppers. This is pretty much my first time trying to grow anything from seeds.

I planted orange bell pepper seeds a few days ago in some party cups and I have been keeping up with watering. I live in central Arizona just outside of Phoenix and I guess this region is zone 9B.

My question is, being early September is this the wrong time of year to be trying to get bell peppers started from seeds? Or will I just not have fruit for a while as the plants endure the winter months?

 

Does it freeze where you are? Altitude may come into play. Do you have some place for an indoor garden?

 

Normal day and night temps?

 

Nope, it rarely freezes here. At worst maybe 2-3 times a year lol. It's a pretty big deal when it does because of how rare it is.

 

Freezing would be a big issue. Give it a try. The next question is critters. Anything around you that likes peppers?

 

Id say in Phx, keep the plants inside or they will dry out

 

Right now we're hitting 105+ for highs and lows probably low 80's. I have them inside right now as they're sprouting.

During our coldest months low to mid 60's is common for highs and low to mid 40's for lows.

 

I'm not sure lol, this is my first time. Possible lady bugs, caterpillars or aphids?

 

Hot is fine as long as you water them and as the peppers are growing, they do like their water.

40's and 60's, forget it.

 

I've tried them the last couple of years in a small raized garden. Each plant needs space, and my results have been 2 small peppers per plant. I would do them again if I had a large garden, but it takes a better gardener than me to get enough peppers to make it worth it in a couple of small raised beds. I've had good luck with jalapenos, though.

 

The good news is that 40's and 60's won't be till December and January. The cold season doesn't last long here in the desert.

 

Good to know. I may try jalapenos next...

 

If you get a bumper crop like I did one year and decide to can/pickle them, DO NOT look into the pot and get a face full of steam. Ask me how I know . . .

 

But it cleared up your sinus.

 

My Pinos did great this year, many were the size of tennis balls. I had many a stuffed Pino wrapped in bacon this summer.

 

That sounds delicious

 

I had a jalapeño and Thai hot pepper plant in raised beds in Sacramento. We get triple digit summers and I had them in direct sunlight. I got more Thai peppers than I knew what to do with, so I gave them to the neighbors. I'd say you could grow bell or other peppers, but would need to make sure they get enough water, and if the sun starts to burn the leaves, stick a patio umbrella over them during the middle of the day.