Organic 'Dolmalik Biber' Pepper Seeds (Capsicum annuum). It is a Turkish variety producing ancho-type fruit approximately 10 cm long and 5 cm wide. Fruit changes from light green to reddish brown and then dark red. The flesh has a sweet, smoky flavour with mild to medium heat that varies with growing conditions. The packet contains 20 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada according to Gaia. Keep the packet and growing notes until harvest to confirm the variety and compare results between seasons. For practical seed starting, growing from seed succeeds best when the verified product depth, moisture and temperature guidance is followed.
Start seeds indoors eight to ten weeks before planting out, approximately 0.6 to 1.3 cm deep. Gaia advises starting at least six to eight weeks before planting. Keep the medium at 27 to 31°C for even emergence, usually in 7 to 21 days. After germination, provide bright light and transplant carefully into individual pots. Avoid waterlogging the mix and let roots develop before moving plants outside. Reserve a warm, wind-sheltered site in full sun. Harden plants off over several days and plant after all frost danger has passed at the same depth as in their pots. Use the product details as a clear guide on how to start seeds while keeping the growing medium evenly moist, never saturated. For indoor seed starting, count back from local conditions and frost dates to decide when to start indoor seeds. Give every pepper seedling bright light after emergence and harden plants off gradually before outdoor planting.
Cut fruit with clean pruners, leaving a short stem. Do not pull because branches break easily. Harvest some fruit as soon as it reaches the desired stage to spread the plant’s workload. For the fullest colour and flavour, allow fruit to ripen completely. Harvest continues while warmth remains adequate; bring in the final peppers before frost. Record sowing and emergence dates and observed conditions to adjust future crops to the local microclimate. Check foliage, soil and growth regularly and adjust care to the site.
Light and life cycle
In the garden
Exposure
Full sun.
Life cycle
Annual.
Hardiness
Cultivée comme annuelle après le dernier gel.
Sowing and germination
Sowing guide
Sowing & germination
Sowing depth
0.6 to 1.3 cm (0.24 to 0.51 in.).
Spacing / density
40 to 45 cm (15.7 to 17.7 in) between plants; 60 cm (23.6 inches) between rows.
Germination temperature
27 to 31 °C (80.6 to 87.8 °F).
Germination time
7 to 21 days at 27 to 31 °C.
Propagation
By seed; isolate plants if saving seed to preserve varietal purity.
Growing method
Harden seedlings off gradually and transplant only after nights are reliably mild. Space plants about 40 to 45 cm apart with 60 cm between rows in compost-rich, well-drained soil. A small stake can support branches carrying several fruit. Cold nights slow establishment even without frost. Maintain even moisture without saturating the soil, especially during flowering and fruit set, and water at soil level. Raise each pepper seedling with steady warmth and bright light before moving it outdoors. This seed starting sequence supports reliable growing from seed while preserving the product-specific depth and temperature facts.
Soil and care
Soil and care
Soil & care
Soil pH
6.0 to 6.8.
Moisture
Evenly moist soil with no standing water.
Minimum temperature
Frost-tender; plant after the last frost once nights remain mild.
Care level
Moderate.
Watering
A light mulch reduces moisture swings after the soil warms. In containers, check the root ball frequently during hot weather because it may dry well before garden soil. Prolonged drought can cause blossom drop and limit pepper size.
Soil type
Choose fertile, loose, well-drained soil that holds even moisture without remaining saturated. Incorporate finished compost before planting and avoid cold or compacted ground. In containers, use vegetable potting mix rather than garden soil alone. Effective drainage keeps air around the roots and reduces problems caused by standing water.
Fertilization
Incorporate finished compost at planting. Supplement with a vegetable fertilizer according to its label and the soil’s fertility, especially in containers where frequent watering leaches nutrients. Avoid excess nitrogen, which favours leaves over fruit. Water a dry root ball before fertilizing and adjust applications to actual growth.
Seasonal care
Start seedlings warm in spring and move them promptly into bright light. Transplant without burying the crown and wait for mild nights before hardening off. After planting, monitor establishment and protect plants temporarily if temperatures fall. In summer, maintain moisture, weed near plants and support loaded branches. Check young shoots for aphids. Harvest with clean scissors, remove damaged fruit and bring in the last peppers before frost. In Canada this crop is grown as an annual.
Growing in containers
Container growing
Container growing
Recommended pot size
20 to 30 L, one plant per container.
Grow one plant in a 20 to 30 L container with drainage holes and vegetable potting mix. Place it in a warm, sunny site sheltered from drying wind. Check moisture with a finger, water slowly until excess drains and empty the saucer. Fertilize according to the product label as container nutrients decline. Add support when the fruit load increases and harvest regularly.
Growth and harvest
Size, flowering & harvest
Mature height
60 to 90 cm (23.6 to 35.4 in).
Width / spread
45 to 60 cm (17.7 to 23.6 in).
Flower color
White.
Foliage color
Green.
Foliage type
Herbaceous annual.
Growth rate
Varies with warmth, light and growth stage.
Growth habit
Bushy and branching.
Edible parts
Fruit; do not consume foliage.
Bloom period
White flowers appear in the hollow of the branches and precede the fruits. They are mostly self-pollinating, but insect visits can contribute to pollination. Overly cold nights, excessive heat or water stress can cause flowers to fall. Regular growth and warm location promote sustained fruiting.
Days to maturity
80 to 100 days.
Garden companions
Garden associations
Companion plants & uses
Companion plants
Basil, oregano and low flowers such as marigolds can grow nearby if spacing still allows good air circulation. Peppers can share a bed with other sun-loving vegetables that do not shade them. Choose companions according to mature height, water needs and available space; no pairing guarantees pest protection.
Plants to avoid
Avoid overcrowding and do not grow Solanaceae in the same location year after year. Potatoes and tomatoes can share certain diseases, so crop rotation, clean garden practices and good air circulation are more important than a universal list of enemy plants.
Garden use
Halve the peppers, remove seeds while wearing gloves and fill them with cooked rice, onion, tomato and herbs. Bake covered at 190 °C until tender, uncovering near the end to brown lightly. Adjust the amount used to the fruit’s actual heat. For pepper powder, dehydrate pieces completely before grinding and avoid inhaling the dust.
Wildlife and pets
Wildlife & precautions
Attracts or supports pollinators
Reported toxicity
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Small flowers can be visited by bees and other insects. The pepper pollinates mainly itself. A diversified flowering border around the vegetable garden further supports pollinators without competing with plants for light.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How many 'Dolmalik Biber' Pepper seeds are in the packet?
The Gaia packet contains 20 seeds. Store unused Dolmalik Biber pepper seed in its labelled packet in a cool, dry, dark place.
How long do 'Dolmalik Biber' Pepper seeds take to germinate?
Emergence generally takes 7 to 21 days at 27 to 31 °C (80.6 to 87.8 °F). Keep the growing medium evenly moist but never waterlogged, and provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge. When growing from seed, keep conditions stable for the full stated germination window before disturbing the mix.
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