Q&A for How to Grow Bell Peppers

It could be due to either a lack of water or nutrients. Try watering your peppers more frequently. If that doesn't correct the problem, add some nutrients to the soil.

Add some fertilizer! The lack of water/pollination can contribute to bad flowering, thereby rendering your peppers unable to grow.

If you are in a green house, your plants may not be being pollinated. Try pollinating by hand.

Just wait, they will ripen and turn color.

It depends on the strength of the plant. Not all bell pepper plants will require them, though some may.

Bell peppers and tomatoes make good companion plants, as the tomatoes keep the soil free of harmful soil nematodes and ward off beetles. Crunchy carrots and cucumbers are also ideal companions for bell peppers.

You can grow the peppers in a greenhouse if you have one. Or, you can grow them inside if you keep them near a windowsill, so they still get sunlight. If you do either of these options, you should hand-pollinate.

Start your plants indoors about 8-10 weeks before transplanting, which should be done 2-3 weeks after the expected last frost. Most pepper seeds sprout in about a week at a temperature of 70-80 degrees F., but germination can be spotty depending on variety.

Try giving the soil some nutrients or even pinching two or three flowers. In this way, the plant will be forced to produce more fruit. Also, avoid pinching leaves at this time or else the plant will change its focus to growing more leaves.

Just touch the soil. If it feels moist still, then don't water. If it feels neutral, then water. If it feels dry, then it means you are not watering it often enough, so you'll need to up the amount of times you water it.

There could be several reasons. Pests, diseases, over watering, or under watering, too much sun. Take a close look at your plant's stalk and leaves, as they are common targets of pests and diseases.

That happens when you water the plant too much. It needs to extend the surface area to lose all the excess water. And the fastest way to do that is to grow them long and spindly. Try not to water too much and make sure it gets the required sun.

As long as there's no frost, yes, and you have warm winters. But even then, you can plant them indoors in a small pot. Although, you won't get any harvest until the right season comes.

If store bought, they might be expired and if they are from the bell pepper from a vegetable store, they might be treated to prevent them from growing again. Try again with seeds from a reputable seed supplier.

The peppers will change colour if they are meant to without the sun reaching them. If you cut too many leaves off, the plant might stop working to produce fruit and start working on producing more leaves as they are its source of food.

It may not be a matter of days. Once your seedling seems healthy enough, having 3 or more healthy leaves, it is generally okay to transfer the plant.

Your soil may not meet the proper nutrient requirements. Check your medium and ensure the essential minerals and nutrients are located in it. You could also consider giving the plant appropriate fertilizer if you don't already. A lot of what you give your plant will be given back to you when you consume the produce.