Bell pepper

Bell peppers are a type of Capsicum and actually belong to the same species (Capsicum annuum), which also includes hot chili peppers, jalapeño peppers and cayenne peppers.

This page provides some basic information about Bell peppers, together with some bell pepper photos, and some recipes with bell peppers.

Basic information on bell pepper

Scientific name:	Capsicum annuum
English:	Bell pepper Capsicum Sweet pepper
Dutch:	Paprika
German:	Paprika
Other:	Peperoni
	Note that this same species (Capsicum annuum) includes other but very different types of peppers such as hot chili peppers, cayenne and jalapeños.

Family:	Solanaceae (= nightshade family)
Order:	Solanales

Distribution:	Bell peppers are found worldwide in areas with suitable (tropical or warm) climate.
Annual, biennial, or perennial:	Bell peppers are grown as an annual plant.
Flowers:	Flowers develop about 3 months after planting. Flowers are white.
Leaves:
Fruits:	Depending on the cultivar, ripe bell pepper fruits can be red, yellow, orange, purple or green.
Climate and weather:	Requires a warm (tropical) climate. Cannot tolerate frost. Bell peppers like hot and dry weather for fruit ripening.
Pollination:	Pollination by bees.
Height:
Blooming period
Type of soil:	Prefers a well-drained, sandy or silt-loam soil.
Preferred pH:
Moisture:
Light:
Growth rate:
Spacing (close range)
Spacing (wide range)
Propagation:	Direct seeding or transplanting.
Insect pests:	Various aphids, Thrips, Fruit fly, American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)
Diseases:	Phytophthora blight, Bacterial spot, Bacterial wilt, Various virus diseases
Fruit development:	Fruits are first green, when ripening they turn yellow, orange or red.
Harvesting:	Fruits are picked by hand when green or ripe.
Uses:	Bell peppers can be eaten raw, for example in salads, or cooked, for example in stir-fried dishes.