100% Certified Organic & Demeter Certified Bio-Dynamic Seed
Grown, harvested, dried and packed on Transition Farm
NOTE - If ordering from Western Australia, please check the POSTAGE page for further information
Capsicum 'Sweet Chocolate'
Capsicum 'Sweet Chocolate'
Capsicum annuum
Appreciated for its robust, sweet and savoury flavour by the chefs, farmers and growers will appreciate its earliness, heavy fruit set and tolerance to cool nights. Sweet Chocolate is a medium sized capsicum with a slightly tapered end that compliments Italian style capsicums. It has a thick wall which peels easily from the 7.5-10cm fruit. We have been impressed with this varieties cold tolerance and earliness to mature – providing some of our first sweet capsicums in early January.
This early bell pepper was bred by Elwyn Meader and introduced by the University of New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station in 1965. The chocolate color skin and the red flesh are beautiful raw in salads and roasted in other dishes.
A very popular variety among home gardeners for their small size, sweet flavor, hardiness, and prolific nature. This bell is a great choice for gardeners with short seasons.
When asked his feelings about obscure and heirloom varieties, Elwyn Meader replied, "I don't like the idea of seedsmen discarding old varieties because of a lack of sales volume. The loss of genetic diversity isn't healthy. After all, we're indebted to our ancestors, for the heirloom varieties we have, so I encourage individuals to carry on, growing their own seeds."
Dr. Meader passed away on July 19, 1996.
SEED COUNT: 25 approx.
Germination: Lot#16070 86% Apr 2024
Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information
| Plant Type | Site | Spacing | Height | Sowing Depth |
Days to Germination |
Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tender Perennial |
Full Sun | 30-45cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart |
50cm | 6mm | 7-10 days @ 30 degrees |
58 days (Green) |
TRANSPLANTS (recommended)- Sow seeds into shallow flats, 4 seeds/2.5cm about 8 weeks prior to transplanting. If possible, maintain soil temperatures at 27-32°C. Capsicum seeds germinate very slowly in cooler soil. When the first true leaves appear, transplant seedlings into 5cm cell-type containers or 10cm pots. Grow plants at approx. 21°C day and 16°C nights. Harden off plants by slightly reducing temperature to 15-18°C and reducing water for 2-3 days before transplanting.
Transplant out after frost when the soil is warm and weather is settled. Ideal seedlings have buds, but no open flowers. Set plants 30-45cm apart in rows 60-90cm apart, or 2 rows with 45cm between plants.
NOTE – 'Days to Maturity' are from transplant to green fruit. Fruit continues to mature on the plant to red, orange, yellow, or chocolate. The flavour also sweetens as the fruit fully matures.
