do capsicum survive frost?

digitS'

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Peppers (capsicums) are such heat-loving plants.

I have hung green fruit indoors if there is a blush of color to them, they usually ripen. You need to pay attention to rotting since that is also possible.

Steve
 

wifezilla

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I bring peppers inside in the winter. They are perennials in their native climate. Years 2 and 3 are supposed to be the most productive. I got a great chiltepin pepper harvest off a 2 year-old plant.
 

hoodat

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Probably better off to devote the space to turnips and cole crops like collards and kale right now. Light frost won't bother them. How cold do the Winters get there?
 

Ariel301

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No, they probably won't survive a frost without some protection. They are a desert plant really, and they love heat. If you want to keep them alive through a freeze, cover them with some mulch, and then put a sheet of plastic or a blanket over them. You could also put a plastic milk/juice/soda type bottle over them with the bottom cut out, sort of like a mini-greenhouse, and then pile straw or dead leaves over that. But if it snows or freezes really badly, even that might now work.
 

rebbetzin

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I have a few pepper plants that are 10 years old or more, They are the native types, small bushes about 3 to 4 feet tall, very small red round and tear drop shaped peppers. Pretty hot. My Habeneros usually last 3 years or so.

But, this year it got down to 17 degrees a couple of nights,
breaking_cold.gif



Even being covered, they don't look like they are going to come back anytime soon. They may re seed from some dropped fruits. I will just have to wait and see, or buy some new plants.
 

wifezilla

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rebbetz, those are probably chiltepin pepper plants. That is the plant I bring inside every winter :D

Spider mites tried to get the poor thing but I hit it with a commercial neem oil solution so I think it will be Ok. I am starting to bring it outside on nice days and new leaves are budding. It is amazing how much heat is in those tiny little peppers!!!
 

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