Orange Sun

Family: Solanaceae Sweet Pepper

Sun-warmed and aromatic, Orange Sun bell peppers ripen into a vivid, glossy orange that feels almost luminous against the garden’s greens.

The flesh is crisp and thick-walled with a balanced, sweet pepper flavor and a gentle, fragrant lift that shines in fresh salads and colorful roasting trays. Grow Orange Sun for dependable, uniform fruit that turns from green to a rich orange at about 70 days—an eye-catching harvest with pollinator-friendly blooms that keeps the beds buzzing.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Bush

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Aug 29th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bush
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Orange Sun bell peppers bring a crisp, thick-walled bite with a sweet, aromatic lift that stands up to acidity and heat. Roast or grill them hard for caramelized, jammy edges, then balance with lime and briny cheese so the sweetness doesn’t tip sugary.

Best Uses

raw julienne for crunchy, sweet bite in salads
hot roasting for charred edges and jammy-soft interior
quick sauté for peppers that stay snappy, not waterlogged
grilling or broiling into glossy, spoonable strips for bowls and tacos

Flavor Profile

sun-warmed sweetness crisp, thick-walled crunch bright, fragrant pepper aroma clean finish with mild acidity

Kitchen Pairings

olive oil garlic lime black pepper feta chicken or shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common problem for Capsicum annuum (bell/pepper type) in home gardens, and how can I prevent it?

A frequent issue is blossom-end rot, caused by inconsistent moisture that leads to calcium uptake problems in Capsicum annuum fruits. Keep soil evenly moist (especially after flowering) and mulch to reduce drying swings; avoid letting the top layer dry out between waterings. If you notice black, sunken ends, remove affected fruits and correct watering consistency—new growth can still recover.

How often should I water Capsicum annuum during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set, water deeply enough to keep the root zone evenly moist—typically about 1 to 2 times per week, depending on heat and soil texture. Aim for consistently damp soil 2–4 inches down, not soggy; peppers in Solanaceae like steady moisture, and dry-stops followed by heavy watering can trigger blossom-end rot. Water in the morning and avoid wetting foliage to reduce disease pressure.

How do I tell when Capsicum annuum ‘Orange Sun’ is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach full size and turn a uniform orange color (not just partly colored). Use days to maturity as a guide—around 70 days from transplant/setting out—and check daily once plants begin coloring. Peppers can be picked earlier for a firmer fruit or left on the plant for deeper orange color and sweeter flavor, but they should not stay past full color for long if you want best texture.