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Paprika

The paprika is not very suitable for temperate regions. However in a sunny, sheltered spot or in a greenhouse, cultivation is possible.

Also known as:
Capsicum
Bell pepper
Sweet pepper
Mango

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recognize paprika
Photo: CC0 Public Domain

Paprika (Capsicum annuum), family of the pepper. The paprika is not very suitable for temperate regions. However, in a sunny, sheltered spot or in a greenhouse, cultivation is possible. Sow in March in a propagator on the warm window sill. Repot the young plants into a larger pot and let them grow on. Plants raised indoors or in a greenhouse can go outside in late May, early June. Plant them in a sunny, sheltered spot. The same goes for paprika plants from a garden center. Sometimes paprikas need a little support. Leave only a few fruits per plant and cut away the rest. That’s how you get big, healthy paprikas. Snails, earwigs and aphids are targeting the paprika plants.
It takes a lot of sun and heat for paprikas to ripen. Sometimes green paprikas simply do not discolor because they lack sun and heat in a cool summer – or because they are green paprikas.

Bugs

Leaf young plants are eaten: snails and slugs.

Shiny spots on leaf, on the underside are insects: thrips (Thysanoptera).

Red spider mite, photo: Rasbak – CC BY-SA 3.0

Dot-shaped spots on the leaves, mites on the underside: red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).

Curled leaves; in some places there is an aphid of about 2 mm in size: Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae).

Leaf shows holes, warty spots on peppers or paprikas: Common green capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus).

 

Earwig, Photo: CC0 Public Domain

Earwigs still like to hide in the hollow paprikas.

Recognizing damage to bell peppers
Paprika infested by larva of False moth, photo UK

Holes in the paprika; a larva of the False codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) is found inside.

Fungi & diseases

Gray mold, photo: Rasbak – CC BY-SA 3.0

Stems yellowing and weakening, gray mold fluff: gray mold (Botrytis ssp.).

Gray-brown colored rot on the stems: Sclerotinia disease (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum).

Small, irregular light green spots on the leaves: powdery mildew.

Wet, rotten spots at the base of the stem: Fusarium foot rot (Fusarium solani).

Leaf is affected, irregular small, pale green spots appear: powdery mildew caused by the fungus Leveillula.

Rhizoctonia, photo: Rasbak – CC BY-SA 3.0

Plant wilts, leaves then die and roots turn brown or black: root rot (Rhizoctonia solani).

Other

Leaf stalks grow from leaf axils: offshoots inadequately removed – thinning.

Paprikas affected by Blossom end rot, photo: Librarian Greens

Deepened, brown spots on the bottom or top of the paprika (blossom end rot): calcium deficiency.