{"id":41232,"date":"2024-09-30T11:41:06","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T09:41:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/?p=41232"},"modified":"2024-09-23T11:53:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T09:53:45","slug":"colourful-blooms-and-fiery-capsicums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/highway-berea\/blog\/2024\/09\/30\/colourful-blooms-and-fiery-capsicums\/","title":{"rendered":"Colourful blooms and fiery capsicums"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the month for chilli-heads to sow some heat. Capsicums<\/strong> germinate best in warm soil (minimum temperature 20C) and the varieties available from seed are mind boggling. For newbies in the chilli stakes, a good variety to start with is Hungarian Hot Wax – they won\u2019t burn your mouth to smithereens, or the mild to hot Cubanelle, Chinese 5 Colour or Shishito green chilli pepper. Only the very daring should opt for Trinidad Scorpion or Carolina Reaper. The names are a warning!<\/p>\n

\"\"To grow: Sow seed into small 10cm pots to allow seedlings to grow into sturdy plants before being transplanted into a bigger pot or into the ground. Sow two to three plants per pot. Seeds will germinate within seven to 20 days (depending on variety) and the soil must be kept moist during germination. When the first true leaves appear and are big enough to handle transplant the seedlings into bigger pots or into the soil spaced 40cm apart.<\/p>\n

Chillies need full sun, well-drained soil and regular watering, especially when flowering so that they don\u2019t drop their flowers (which means no fruit). Most chillies grow 50 to 60cm tall and the fruit should be ready for harvest within 120 to 160 days. Details: kirchoffs.co.za or rawliving.co.za<\/p>\n

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We\u2019re planting \u2026 Zinnia Zesty<\/strong> because it displays huge, vibrantly coloured flowers throughout Summer into Autumn. The fully double blooms are reminiscent of traditional zinnias.<\/p>\n

These sun-loving plants are neat and upright, growing up to 60cm tall, and will brighten borders and mixed plantings as well as looking good in containers. Pollinators love their flowers. Plant in soil that drains well, water regularly but don\u2019t over-water and fertilise once a month during Summer.\u00a0 Details: ballstraathof.co.za<\/p>\n

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\"\"There is something so summery about Peperomia Watermelon<\/strong>. Its rounded leaves look as crisp and cool as mini-watermelons and plants stay rounded and compact, perfect for table tops, counters and office desks.<\/p>\n

Bright, indirect light is perfect for these plants. Water when the surface of the soil feels dry but don\u2019t let the pots stand in water. Feed with a liquid fertiliser once a month in Summer to encourage new leaves. Details: lvgplant.co.za<\/p>\n

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October garden tasks<\/strong><\/p>\n