Capsicum ‘Alma Paprika’
Botanical name: Capsicum annuum
- Heat and drought tolerant.
- Good disease resistance.
- Highly productive.
Alma Paprika is a Hungarian heirloom capsicum variety that looks like a persimmon. This thick-fleshed, round capsicum starts off creamy white, then turns orange before finally turning shiny red. It is traditionally used by Hungarians to make paprika, an important spice used in goulash. It is versatile in the kitchen, for eating fresh in salads, grilled, stuffed, or made into relish.
Alma paprika peppers are generally considered to be very mild, typically ranging from 0 to 500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). They are primarily used for their sweet flavor rather than their spiciness. However, individual peppers can vary in their heat level, so it’s always a good idea to taste a small piece to gauge its spiciness before using them in dishes.
Growing Instructions
Plant Type: Warm season, frost-tender annual
Plant Height: 50 cm
Sow When:
- Temperate: Early spring – inside with extra heat; outside after frost danger has passed (Spring)
- Subtropical: All year but avoid January – February
- Tropical: All year but avoid January – February
Germination:
- Depth: 6 mm deep
- Sow Where: Into seedling pots, transplant when soil is warm
Soil Type:
- Fertile well-drained soil
- pH 5.5 – 7
Position:
- Full exposure to sun.
- Choose a position that is protected from high winds.
- Summer thunderstorms cause more damage to this variety than disease or pests.
Support: Support the plant with staking, or a trellis, to protect the limbs from breaking, particularly in heavy rain.
Rows: 45 – 90 cm apart
Spacing: 40 – 50 cm between plants, stake
Details:
- Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers
- Keep moisture constant
Harvest: 70 – 80 days: pick early fruit green to encourage fruiting; in fruit fly areas, the fruit should be protected by bagging.
Climate zones:
In Australia, the climate zones suitable for growing Alma Paprika peppers would generally be regions with a warm to hot climate, such as zones classified as subtropical (climate zone 2) and tropical (climate zone 1). Specific zones will vary depending on factors such as local temperature ranges, rainfall patterns, and length of growing season. Areas with mild winters and long, warm summers are typically ideal for growing capsicum like Alma Paprika.
For cooler regions, start capsicums indoors and plant outside when the risk of frost has passed and the plant is at an advanced seedling stage. For good fruit development, the optimum night time temperatures are 15– 17°C and day temperatures 24–30°C.
