Seed of the Week: Peppers

Perhaps if I had used this photograph, you might have been able to guess the mystery seeds from last week.

The seeds were from a chili pepper plant, Capsicum annuum. Varieties of this pepper include the bell, the jalapeno and the poblano pepper.

The plant originated in the New World, although now it popular almost everywhere.

The flowers are white. Peppers are self-pollinating plants.

The fruit, in this case a jalapeno, may contain capsaicin and some related compounds that burn the mouth when consumed.

Because they are self-pollinated, you can grow peppers from seeds you gather from the store or save from plants you grow yourself.

Peppers are warm season plants. Here in Arizona that means planting in the spring after the danger of frost has past.

What is your favorite kind of pepper plant?

2 Comments

  1. Peter

    If they were not self-pollinated, wouldn’t we be able to grow the seeds? Why not?

  2. Roberta

    Peter,

    If the plants were hybrids, then the seeds might not grow true to their parents.

    Another issue that might determine germination that I didn’t mention is whether or not the seeds are mature.

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