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Growing Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Peppers in the Vegetable Garden
Starting pepper seeds is straightforward but requires a bit of forethought. Around two months before the last spring frost in your area, start your seeds indoors with grow lights, heating pads, and growing cells or trays. Fill the trays with a well-drained seed starting medium, such as coconut coir, and thoroughly water it. Insert the seeds into the medium about one-quarter of an inch deep and cover-up. Mist the seeds to ensure they stay in place but are sufficiently saturated. Keep the seeds consistently moist. A humidity dome can help reduce water evaporation.
As soon as the seedlings emerge from the soil, they should be exposed to 8-14 hours of light daily. Without enough light, they will become leggy and not turn into healthy plants. A sunny windowsill can sometimes be enough, but most growers find supplemental light to be the most effective solution. Heat mats are also useful in this process to ensure the medium stays at a toasty 70-80 F, ensuring proper germination.
Consistently care for the pepper seedlings with light, moisture, and proper ventilation. After the true leaves have appeared, you may lightly fertilize with a balanced feed. When the threat of frost is close to passing in your zone, begin hardening off the seedlings gradually by placing them outdoors for a few more hours each day. Incrementally increase the time they spend outdoors to gradually get them used to temperature fluctuations, light intensity, and wind. Be sure to bring them indoors if temperatures dip below 55 F.
Once all threat of frost has passed, and the seedlings have been hardened off, transplant them into the garden. Prepare the garden bed by incorporating compost and any other amendments your soil needs. Place the plants 18-24 inches apart, allowing for proper ventilation. Continue to care for the plants throughout the season by regularly watering them deeply, checking frequently for pests and diseases, and keeping the area weed-free. Mulching the base of the plants can reduce water loss and weed prevalence.
Harvesting Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Peppers
These unique and small peppers are just beautiful on the plant as they are delicious to eat. Harvest them when fully red and shiny by snipping or slicing the fruit from the plant, leaving about a half inch of stem attached.
About Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Pepper Garden Seeds
The Pretty N Sweet Hybrid pepper won the 2015 All-America Selections (AAS) National Award in the Edible Vegetable category for its dual uses as both an ornamental and culinary plant.
Fruits average 1-1.5 inches long and weigh approximately an ounce each. Plants are compact and well-suited to containers. Similar to Sweet Pickle but earlier, sweeter and more substantial.
Sometimes lovingly called “ornamedible,” Pretty N Sweet is delightful to the eyes and tastebuds. Despite its classic hot pepper shape, it lacks any heat, measuring at a zero on the Scoville Heat Scale.
The outstanding variety is resistant to Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and is ready to harvest in 105 from seed or 60 days from transplant. It even does well in slightly dryer conditions! Capping at 20 inches tall at most, it is perfect for containers and patio gardeners.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"When this plant is smaller, it looks stunning as an outdoor patio table centerpiece. When it gets a bit bigger, it can be a background plant or bedding focal point."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Pepper Seeds Per Package:
- 250 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 30 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 3,360 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 13,440 Seeds
Non-GMO Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Pepper seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
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ATTRIBUTES
Basic Info
Latin Name: |
Capsicum annuum
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Pepper Type: |
Sweet - These peppers (think Bell Peppers) are almost all at 0 on the Scoville Scale, meaning that they have no heat at all. A handful of sweet peppers do register very low on the Scoville scale but are still classed as sweet peppers. For example, Pepperoncinis are sweet peppers but usually rank around 100 to 500 on the Scoville Scale. |
Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Pepper Color: |
Red, Purple |
Pretty N Sweet Hybrid Pepper Flavor: |
Sweet and mildly zesty |
Growing Info
Hardiness Zone: |
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 Technically a tender perennial, but commonly grown as an annual. Perennial in zones 10 and 11. |
Days to Maturity: |
100-109 (from transplant) |
Days to Germination: |
7-10 |
Seeding Depth: |
0.25 inch |
Plant Spacing: |
18-24 inches |
Row Spacing: |
24-36 inches |
Plant Height: |
18-24 inches |
Growth Habit: |
Upright |
Soil Preference: |
Well-draining, loose (sandy loam), slightly acidic (6.5 pH), and moisture retaining. Too much nitrogen in the soil may lead to more foliage production and less fruiting, similar to tomatoes. Peppers also need sufficient amounts of phosphorus and calcium. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer for the best results. |
Temperature Preference: |
Warmer (70-85 F). During high heat, foliar and flower development slow or pause until temperatures return to the preferred range. |
Light Preference: |
Full Sun |
Other
Direct Sow: |
No |
Start Indoors: |
Yes. Start Indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Harden off and transplant when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall. Bury the stem slightly deeper than the root ball. Avoid planting hot and sweet peppers right next to each other, as they can cross-pollinate, potentially affecting the flavors of your harvested peppers. |
Pepper Pollination: |
Peppers have perfect flowers (male and female parts) and will self-pollinate. However, wind and pollinator activity may increase success rates of fertilization and fruit production. |
Plant Width: |
18-24 inches |
Deer Resistant: |
No |
Scoville Heat Units: |
0 |
Heat Level: |
Sweet - Peppers with no heat. 0-99 on the Scoville Scale. Example: Bell Peppers |
Growth Speed: |
Late - Ready for harvest around 91 days or more from transplant. |
Germination Temperature: |
80-90 F |
Pests and Diseases: |
Peppers are commonly susceptible to cutworms, aphids, flea beetles, bacterial spot, Phytophthora, sunscald, and blossom end rot. To avoid or reduce problems with pests and diseases, stick to a regular watering schedule (drip irrigation is preferred), plant into well-draining soils, and utilize practices such as crop rotation. When taking pest control measures, consider utilizing integrated pest management principles by using mechanical removal, biological control, and other cultural practices before turning to chemical agents. |
Garden Size: |
Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container |
Pepper Use: |
Salas, salads, and stir-fries |
Climate Tolerance: |
Heat, Drought |