Grown Sweet Pepper 'California Wonder'?

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Sweet Pepper 'California Wonder' — Peppers

70-75days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant when soil reaches 60°F and night temperatures stay above 50°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Green maturing to bright red
Size: 4-5 inches long, 3-4 inches wide
Shape: Blocky, four-lobed bell shape with thick walls
Flavour: Sweet, crisp, no heat (0 Scoville), classic bell pepper flavor

In the kitchen

Stuffed peppers, stir-fries, salads, grilling, roasting, fresh eating

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, pepper hornworms, flea beetles, cutworms
Diseases: Bacterial spot, blossom end rot, anthracnose
Resistance: Good resistance to tobacco mosaic virus

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	May	July – August	—	September – August
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	August – October
4	March – April	June	—	August – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	July – September
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	June – August
9	January	March – April	—	May – July
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 4 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

TomatoesSimilar growing requirements and can share space efficiently, both benefit from same soil conditions

OreganoRepels aphids and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on pepper pests

CarrotsHelps break up soil for pepper roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

OnionsRepels aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects that damage peppers

MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing them away from peppers

Avoid

Black Walnut TreesReleases juglone toxin that stunts pepper growth and can kill plants

FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit pepper growth and development

BrassicasCompete heavily for nutrients and can stunt pepper growth due to different soil pH preferences

Apricot TreesCan harbor verticillium wilt which easily spreads to peppers

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 1.66
Fat (g): 0.45
Carbohydrate (g): 5.35
Fibre (g): 3.4
Sugars (g): 1.95
Vitamin A (µg): 17
Vitamin C (mg): 82.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.69
Vitamin K (µg): 9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.357
Folate (µg): 29
Calcium (mg): 14
Iron (mg): 0.46
Magnesium (mg): 17
Phosphorus (mg): 32
Potassium (mg): 256
Zinc (mg): 0.25
Selenium (µg): 0.3

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Sweet Pepper 'California Wonder'?

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