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Organic Peppers - Growing and Seed Saving Info

PLANTING INFO:
Seeding depth: 1/4�; Plant spacing: 12-18�; Row spacing: 18-36" or double rows 18� apart on 5-6� centers.

CULTURAL INFO:
Peppers are long-season, heat-loving annuals

which require transplanting to reach full maturity in most areas. Start transplants 6-8 weeks before planting date. Sow seeds into flat ~4 seeds/inch and then pot up into 2� or larger cells after first set of true leaves appear. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 85�F. For growing transplants, maintain temperature at around 75�F during the day and 65�F at night. Harden off plants by slightly reducing temperature to 60-65�F and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting. Plant growth and fruit set is encouraged by use of plastic mulch to warm roots and soil, especially when used in combination with floating row cover. Remove row cover when temperatures are above 85�F to avoid heat damage. Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage. Colored peppers generally require 2 � 4 weeks longer. Store peppers at 50� - 54�F and 95% percent relative humidity. Chilling injury occurs at temperatures below 45�F.

DISEASE & PESTS:
Peppers are commonly subject to bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) manifesting as leaf lesions that turn dark brown to black with a central tan area. Affected leaves eventually drop off. Fruit spots are brown to black with a warty appearance. The disease persists on plant residue and seed, so practice strict sanitation and purchase only disease-free seed. Copper fungicides can be moderately effective, but for isolated outbreaks, it is best to pull up infected plants immediately and destroy. The several viruses that affect peppers can be difficult to distinguish from one another but should all be treated similarly: pull up infected plants immediately to prevent spread. In soils containing the verticillium wilt fungi (Verticillium alboatrum and Verticillium dahliae), practice long crop rotations to reduce severity of the disease. If plants are flowering but fail to set fruit, the culprit (at least in northern regions) is likely to be the tarnished plant bug, which particularly appreciates the sap of eggplant and pepper flowers. Consider planting under row covers, or where this is impractical, a spray containing several deterrents, such as Beauveria bassiana (such as Naturalis�, see Supplies), pyrethrin, neem oil, and/or an insecticidal soap (such as Safer Brand�) may be effective.

RESISTANCE KEY:
BLS: Bacterial Leaf Spot, TMV: Tobacco Mosaic Virus

SEED SPECS:
3,400-4,900 seeds/oz (4M avg). Seeding rate: 670 plants/1000� (~800 seeds, ~ � oz.), 9,000 plants/acre (~12M seeds, ~ 3 oz.), using 18� spacing, double rows, 18� apart on 6' center beds. M= 1,000, MM=1,000,000

SEED SAVING INSTRUCTIONS:
Self pollinated but can be up to 20% insect pollinated. 200-300 feet is sufficient for isolation between varieties. Peppers need to be red (or whatever color they ripen to) and can be cut open and the seeds dried on a plate or cloth. Use a 1/8" screen to help with cleaning. Pepper seeds can remain viable for 3 years under cool and dry storage conditions.