Pumpkin Queensland Blue

Basics

1. Capsicum (sweet/bell Capsicum) thrives in warm, sunny gardens.
2. Plant them in a spot with full sun (6+ hours) and rich, well-drained soil.
3. Prepare the bed by removing weeds and digging in plenty of compost or aged manure.
4. Use mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Seed Trays vs Direct Sowing

Seedling Trays:

• Raise seeds in pots or trays filled with seedling mix, keeping them warm (16-35°C) and moist.
• This protected start speeds germination and gives plants a head start on weeds and weather.
• You’ll use fewer seeds and get sturdy seedlings for an earlier crop.
• The downside is extra effort and cost (pots, mix, heat source) and you must harden-off seedlings before planting out.

Direct Sowing:

• Plant seeds 3mm deep in the garden soil 50cm between plants, 60–100cm once it’s warm and frost-free.
• Direct sowing is simpler and cheaper (no trays or special mix), but germination is slower and more vulnerable to cold, pests or heavy rain.
• Capsicum seeds can take 1–3 weeks to sprout at 16–35°C.
• Ensure the soil stays evenly moist (not waterlogged) during this time.

In short: use trays if you want the best germination and an early start; sow direct if you prefer simplicity and have already warm conditions.

Planting and General Care

Timing & Spacing:

• Plant or transplant capsicum after all danger of frost has passed.
• In tropical/subtropical areas, Capsicums can even fruit year-round, but in cooler zones treat them as an annual summer crop.

Soil:

• Use well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
• Work in compost or aged manure before planting.
• Capsicums prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (~6.0–7.0).
• In pots, use at least ~40L per plant.

Watering:

• Water deeply and regularly, so the soil stays evenly moist.
• Check soil moisture by pushing a finger 4–5cm down; water when that layer is just dry.
• Water in the early morning or late afternoon to minimize stress.
• Avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal disease.
• Mulch around plants to keep roots cool and reduce evaporation.

Fertilising:

• If the soil was well-prepared, you may need little extra feed.
• Otherwise, apply a balanced (e.g. 10-10-10 NPK) slow-release fertilizer at planting.
• Once flowers and fruit start, give a liquid tomato or vegetable fertilizer every few weeks according to label directions.
• This supports heavy fruiting. Avoid excessive nitrogen late in the season, as it can reduce fruit set.

Staking & Pruning:

• Capsicum plants can get top-heavy with fruit. Stake or cage them when planting.
• A simple sturdy stake beside each plant works – gently tie the main stem (e.g. with soft string) as it grows.
• This prevents wind damage and keeps fruit off the ground.
• Remove any low or damaged leaves to improve air flow.
• Many gardeners also pinch out a few early flower buds when plants are young – this encourages stronger vegetative growth and heavier later yields.
• Overall, little pruning is needed beyond this.

Pest & Disease Management:

• Monitor plants for pests like aphids, caterpillars, slugs/snails, and chilli thrip.
• Hand-pick pests or use organic sprays if needed.
• Practice good hygiene: remove weeds and crop debris.
• Rotate capsicum/solanaceous crops to a different spot each year to reduce disease pressure.
• Common diseases include blossom-end rot (from inconsistent watering or low calcium) and fungal spots.
• Regular watering and mulch help prevent blossom-end rot.
• Crop rotation and not overcrowding plants also reduce problems.

Chilli Thrips: What They Are & How to Deal With Them

1. Chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) are tiny, slender insects that can cause big problems in home veggie patches—especially for capsicum, chilli, eggplant, and tomato plants.
2. You might not see them easily (they’re less than 2mm long!), but the damage is easy to spot as leaves curl or look bronzed and scarred, buds drop off, and fruit can become deformed or scarred.
3. These pests feed by piercing plant tissue and sucking out the juices, which leads to silvery or brown patches on leaves and distorted growth.
4. They tend to hang out on the newest growth, flower buds, or the undersides of leaves—so grab a magnifying glass and check these spots first if your plants are looking stressed.

What You Can Do:

Prevention is key:

• Start clean – Avoid bringing in infested seedlings or cuttings.
• Attract beneficial bugs like lady beetles, lacewings, and predatory mites—they’ll help keep thrip numbers down.
• Plant flowers like alyssum, marigold, or dill nearby to draw in the good guys.

If they show up:

• Prune affected areas early to stop the spread.
• Hose them off gently with water to dislodge thrips from foliage.
• Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, covering all leaf surfaces, especially underneath. Repeat weekly as needed.
• Rotate your crops each year to disrupt their lifecycle.

Tip: Thrips love hot, dry conditions—so keep your plants well-watered and mulched to reduce stress and deter infestations.

Companion Planting with Capsicum

Good companions:

• Herbs & Flowers: Basil, dill, parsley, coriander, chamomile and other aromatic herbs as they attract beneficial insects and may repel aphids or whiteflies. Garlic, onions, chives as their strong scent deters many pests. Marigolds, nasturtiums, borage, lavender as these flowers lure pollinators and trap pests (marigolds are famous for nematode control).
• Vegetables: Carrots, lettuce, spinach as they occupy shallow roots and don’t compete much with Capsicums. These can provide light ground cover under Capsicum plants. Tomatoes are sometimes planted alongside Capsicums (both like similar conditions) but be aware they share some pests/diseases so give them space and rotate beds regularly.
• Fruits: Strawberries and cucumbers have been noted as decent neighbours (shallow roots and shade from cucumber leaves can protect Capsicums).

Bad Companions

• Other heavy feeders or close relatives.
• Do not grow next to eggplants, potatoes or tomatoes in succession, as they share pests/diseases.
• Stay away from beans/peas and plants like fennel or dill, which can inhibit Capsicum growth.
• Squash and pumpkins (deep-rooted cucurbits) can out-compete Capsicums for nutrients.
• In short, pair Capsicums with light-feeders and pest-deterring plants, and keep them apart from other nightshades and big gourds.

Seed Saving

Saving your own Capsicum seeds is easy if you follow a few simple steps:

Select plants:

• Pick the healthiest plants with strong, typical fruit.
• If growing multiple types, isolate them (e.g. bag flowers or keep 20m+ apart) to prevent cross-pollination.

Harvest ripe fruits:

• Wait until Capsicums are fully ripe on the plant which is usually when they’ve changed to their final colour and just start to soften or wrinkle.
• Allowing fruits to over ripen a little ensures the seeds are mature.

Extract seeds:

• Cut the Capsicum in half and scoop or twist out the central core.
• Scrape out the seeds and remove as much of the inner flesh and pith as possible.
• Rinse the seeds in clean water to wash off any remaining pulp which helps them dry cleanly.

Dry seeds:

• Spread the seeds in a single layer on paper towels or a clean plate in a dry, shaded place.
• Let them dry completely over several days.
• They’re ready when you can crunch a seed in your fingers and it snaps rather than bends.
• Moisture is the enemy of seed storage, so make sure they feel fully dry.

Store seeds:

• Transfer the dried seeds to a paper envelope or small jar with a tight lid.
• Label with variety and date.
• Store in a cool, dark, dry spot (a refrigerator works well).
• Properly stored Capsicum seeds remain viable for about 3–4 years, so you’ll have plants for many seasons.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Climate:

• Pumpkins thrive in warm climates and prefer temperatures between 20°C and 32°C.
• It’s best to plant in early spring or early summer. In cooler areas, wait until after the last frost.

Soil:

• Pumpkins prefer well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
• Aim for sandy loam or a mixture with plenty of organic matter such as compost. A soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal.

Sunlight:

• Ensure the growing area receives full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
• This helps with healthy growth and fruit development.

Planting Techniques

Seed Preparation:

• Soak seeds for several hours, or even overnight, to enhance germination.

Planting

• Direct Sowing: Plant seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep in well-prepared soil. Space seeds about 1 meter (3 feet) apart to allow for sprawling growth.
• Transplanting: If starting indoors (2-4 weeks prior to planting out), transplant seedlings when they have 2-3 leaves, and ensure all frost has passed.
• Row Spacing: If planting multiple rows, space rows 2 meters (6.5 feet) apart for air circulation.

Care and Maintenance

Watering:

• Keep soil moisture consistent, especially during flowering and fruiting stages.
• Drip irrigation is preferable to prevent wetting the foliage and to conserve water.
• Fertilisation:
• Apply a balanced fertiliser every few weeks or use compost for an organic approach.
• A side dressing of potassium-rich fertilizer during flowering can enhance fruit development.

Weeding and Mulching:

• Regularly remove weeds by hand or with a hoe.
• Apply organic mulch like straw or grass clippings to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Beneficial Companions

Corn:

• Benefits: Acts as a natural trellis for vining pumpkin varieties. It also provides shade, helping to retain soil moisture.

Beans (especially bush beans):

• Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing plants that improve soil fertility.

Nasturtiums:

• Benefits: Attracts beneficial insects and can discourage pests such as aphids and squash bugs.
• They also serve as a trap crop, drawing pests away from pumpkins.

Marigolds:

• Benefits: Their flowers attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on pests.
• They also repel nematodes and some other harmful insects.

Radishes:

• Benefits: Can deter cucumber beetles and other pests, while occupying soil space for the shorter growing season.

Garlic and Onions:

• Benefits: Natural pest repellents that can help to deter aphids and other common pests, without negatively affecting pumpkin growth.

Squash and Melons:

• Benefits: Other members of the Cucurbitaceae family can thrive alongside pumpkins; just ensure there’s adequate space to prevent competition for nutrients.

Plants to Avoid

Some plants can be detrimental to pumpkin growth:

Potatoes:

• They are heavy feeders and compete for nutrients, which may inhibit pumpkin growth.

Cabbage Family:

• These can attract pests that may harm pumpkin plants.

Mint:

• While aromatic and beneficial in many ways, mint can be invasive and compete aggressively with pumpkins for resources.

Pest and Disease Management

Pests: Aphids:

• Can be controlled with insecticidal soap or natural predators like ladybugs.
• Squash Bugs: Remove by hand if noticed early.
• Cucumber Beetles: Use row covers to protect young plants.

Diseases:

• Powdery Mildew: Manage with proper spacing, watering at the base of plants, and applying fungicides as necessary.
• Downy Mildew: Prevent by planting resistant varieties and ensuring good air circulation.

Harvesting Pumpkins

Timing:

• Harvest when pumpkins have reached their full colour, the flesh is hard, and the stem has turned brown and dried. This usually occurs 105 days after planting, depending on the variety.

Technique:

• Cut the pumpkins from the vine using a sharp knife, leaving 5-7 cm of stem attached to prevent rot during storage.