How to Grow Supremo Pepper
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Supremo Pepper
Capsicum annuum 'Supremo'
vegetableSupremo is a large bell pepper variety known for its blocky, thick-walled fruit and exceptional yields. The plants are vigorous and disease-resistant, producing generous quantities of sweet, crisp peppers ideal for fresh eating and cooking. This cultivar is popular in both home gardens and commercial operations for its reliability and fruit quality.
When should you plant Supremo Pepper in your zone?
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Example Supremo Pepper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Supremo Pepper
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 Supremo Pepper
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Supremo Pepper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10 when grown as an annual; requires warm soil and consistent heat
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Get my Supremo Pepper timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with first true leaves emerging, typically 2-4 inches tall
Provide warm soil (75-85°F), consistent moisture, and bright light. Use grow lights if indoors. Thin seedlings to strongest plants.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksRobust growth with branching stems, developing thick foliage; plant reaches 12-18 inches tall
Maintain consistent watering and feeding with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Stake or support plants if needed. Harden off transplants before moving outdoors.
Flowering
3-4 weeksSmall white flowers appear in leaf axils; multiple flower clusters developing along branches
Reduce nitrogen, apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to promote fruiting. Ensure consistent watering to prevent flower drop. Remove early flowers for stronger plants if desired.
Fruit Development
4-5 weeksSmall green peppers forming and rapidly enlarging, developing characteristic blocky shape with thick walls
Maintain consistent moisture and steady warmth. Support heavy fruit clusters with stakes or cages. Mulch around base to regulate soil temperature.
Harvest
8-12 weeks ongoingPeppers reach full size (4-5 inches), turning from green to red/yellow when mature; fruit becomes sweet and tender
Harvest green for crisp texture, or allow to fully ripen for sweetness. Cut fruit with pruning shears rather than pulling. Continue harvesting to encourage production.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream, insecticidal soap, or neem oil; encourage natural predators
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Increase humidity, spray with neem oil or miticide; remove heavily infested leaves
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Use floating row covers on young plants, apply kaolin clay, neem oil, or spinosad if needed
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Remove and destroy infested fruit, apply spinosad in early morning, use pheromone traps
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Yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage predatory insects
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Remove infected leaves, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide; choose resistant varieties
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinarySupremo peppers have thick, crisp walls ideal for eating raw in salads, on crudités platters, or as snacking peppers. They also excel in stir-fries, fajitas, roasting, stuffing, and grilling due to their substantial structure. [source]
Preservation
CulinaryThe thick flesh makes Supremo peppers excellent for freezing, roasting and canning, or drying. They can be preserved as pepper flakes, powders, or pickled. [source]
Home storage
HouseholdSupremo peppers store exceptionally well in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks due to their thick walls and low water content. They maintain quality longer than thinner-walled varieties. [source]
Nutritional and health benefits
MedicinalRed Supremo peppers are rich in vitamin C, capsaicin, and antioxidants including quercetin and luteolin. Regular consumption supports immune function, reduces inflammation, and may improve cardiovascular health. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifePepper flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Growing Supremo peppers in your garden supports pollinator populations and contributes to a healthy garden ecosystem. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting when peppers reach 3-4 inches in length and are firm for green peppers (65-75 days from transplant). For maximum flavor and sweetness, allow peppers to fully mature to red or yellow color (85-95 days from transplant), though this reduces overall yield slightly. Cut peppers with a sharp knife or pruning shears, leaving a small stem attached. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production. Supremo typically produces 8-15 large peppers per plant in a full season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Supremo is an F1 hybrid variety, bred for superior vigor, disease resistance, and productivity compared to open-pollinated peppers. Seeds saved from Supremo plants will not produce identical plants.
- 🌱 The thick walls of Supremo peppers contain more placental tissue (the white ribs inside) than thinner varieties, which is actually where most of the pepper's nutritional compounds and heat are concentrated.
- 🌱 Pepper plants are perennial in tropical climates but are grown as annuals in temperate zones. A Supremo plant can continue producing for 2-3 years or longer if protected from frost and maintained indoors.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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