How to Grow Blitz Crimson
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Blitz Crimson
Capsicum annuum 'Blitz Crimson'
vegetableBlitz Crimson is a hybrid sweet pepper variety bred for early maturity and rapid fruit development. It produces medium-sized, blocky red peppers with thick walls and excellent flavor, making it ideal for gardeners in short-season climates. The compact, bushy plants are prolific producers that set fruit quickly even in cooler conditions.
When should you plant Blitz Crimson in your zone?
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Example Blitz Crimson timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blitz Crimson
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Blitz Crimson
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blitz Crimson dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 5-10; excellent for short-season zones 3-4 when started early indoors
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-3 true leaves, pale green coloring, and delicate texture
Provide 14-16 hours of bright grow light daily. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Maintain 70-80°F. Thin to strongest seedling if multiple emerge. Begin fertilizing with half-strength liquid fertilizer at 2-3 weeks.
Transplant/Establishment
2-3 weeksPlants 4-6 inches tall with 4-6 true leaves, developing stronger stems and deeper root systems
Harden off gradually over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors. Space 18 inches apart in garden. Water well after planting. Install cages or stakes early to avoid root damage later.
Vegetative/Growth
3-4 weeksBushy plant 12-18 inches tall with multiple branches, abundant foliage, and developing flower buds
Ensure consistent watering and full sunlight. Apply 2-inch mulch layer to retain moisture. Begin weekly fertilizing with balanced fertilizer. Pinch off first flowers if transplanted late to encourage root establishment.
Flowering & Fruiting
4-5 weeksWhite or purple-tinged flowers on branch tips, followed by small green fruit developing into larger blocky peppers
Maintain even moisture to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking. Switch to potassium-rich fertilizer to support fruit development. Provide consistent warmth (70-85°F). Pollinate flowers by hand or ensure bee access.
Maturation/Harvest
2-3 weeks (ongoing until frost)Full-sized blocky peppers 3-4 inches long, firm and glossy, transitioning from green to deep crimson red
Continue watering and fertilizing every 2 weeks. Harvest green peppers for tenderness or wait for red color for maximum sweetness and nutrient content. Plant produces continually; harvest regularly to encourage more flowering.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.
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Increase humidity and mist foliage; use sulfur dust or neem oil spray. Remove heavily infested leaves. Ensure adequate irrigation as stressed plants are more susceptible.
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Remove infested fruit immediately and destroy. Apply spinosad or neem oil. Maintain sanitation of fallen fruit and plant debris.
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Use sticky yellow traps to monitor and control. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Encourage natural predators.
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Hand-pick visible larvae. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sprays when caterpillars are small. Ensure adequate insect diversity for natural predation.
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryBlitz Crimson peppers have thick, crisp walls and sweet flavor making them excellent for fresh consumption raw in salads, slaws, and vegetable platters. The early maturity means home gardeners can enjoy fresh peppers throughout the summer. [source]
Cooking and roasting
CulinaryThe thick walls hold up well to roasting, grilling, sautéing, and stir-frying. Red peppers develop a richer, sweeter flavor when cooked and are ideal for sauces, soups, and side dishes. [source]
Nutritional and immune support
MedicinalRed peppers are exceptionally high in Vitamin C (up to three times more than green peppers), antioxidants, and other phytonutrients that support immune function. They contain capsaicinoids with anti-inflammatory properties. [source]
Preservation and storage
HouseholdBlitz Crimson peppers can be frozen whole, diced, or roasted and frozen for long-term storage. They dry well and can be made into pepper flakes or powders for year-round use. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe white and purple-tinged flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, supporting garden biodiversity while improving fruit set. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest peppers when fully grown and glossy, typically 60-75 days after transplanting. For green peppers, harvest at full mature size (3-4 inches). For red peppers, wait additional 2-3 weeks after peppers turn red for maximum sweetness, Vitamin C content, and deeper flavor. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers leaving a short stem; do not pull or twist to avoid plant damage. Blitz Crimson is an indeterminate producer, so regular harvesting encourages continued flowering and fruiting until frost. Peppers store 1-2 weeks in refrigerator; they will continue ripening slightly off the vine.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blitz Crimson was specifically bred to mature in 60-75 days, making it one of the earliest pepper varieties available and allowing gardeners in zones 3-4 to successfully grow full-sized sweet peppers outdoors.
- 🌱 Red peppers are simply mature green peppers left on the plant longer. The color change is accompanied by a dramatic increase in Vitamin C content (doubling or tripling) and development of complex sugars that create sweeter flavor.
- 🌱 Peppers are actually berries botanically, not vegetables. Each pepper develops as a fruit from the flower's ovary and contains seeds within a hollow cavity.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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