How to Grow California Wonder Peppers Indoors

Fill a seed starting flat with seed starter potting soil.

Sow one California Wonder seed per cell. You can sow two seeds per cell, but if they both germinate, you will need to remove one seedling.

Cover the seeds with 1/4-inch potting soil. Tamp the soil lightly over the top of the pepper seeds so they have proper contact with the soil.

Spray the top of the soil with water. Using a spray bottle keeps the soil in place as you add moisture.

Fill a container with water and place the flat inside. The water level should be below the flat's rim. Allow the flat to remain in the water until the top of the soil is visibly wet. Remove the flat and place it on a drainage rack so the excess water can drain away.

Cover the starter flat with a clear sheet of plastic. Put the flat in an area that remains about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat mat or the top of the refrigerator works well for this. Check the soil daily for moisture. Water when the soil feels dry. It can take a week or more for the seeds to germinate. Remove the plastic when the seeds have sprouted.

Place the pepper plants under grow lights, keeping the top leaf 3 to 4 inches away from the lights. Run the grow lights 14 to 16 hours a day.

Prepare one 2-gallon container for each pepper plant. Cover the drainage holes with rocks, clay pot shards or an old window screen to keep the soil inside the pot each time you water, but allow the excess water to drain out.

Fill the container with well-draining potting soil that contains superphosphate and/or bone meal. You can use purchased potting soil or make your own by mixing equal amounts of composted soil, peat moss and perlite. Add superphosphate and bone meal to the soil according to label directions.

Dig a hole in the soil that is a little bigger than the pepper plant’s root ball.

Remove the pepper plant from its cell. Be gentle when doing this so you don’t damage or disturb the roots.

Place the pepper’s root ball into the hole. Fill in around the root ball with amended soil, but do not bury the California pepper plant any deeper than it was originally growing. Firm the soil around the root ball with your hands.

Water the pepper plant thoroughly until water comes out the bottom of the container. Stick your finger into the soil and check for moisture. Do not allow the soil to dry out, but keep it evenly moist. Check the soil daily for moisture. The pepper plant may not set fruit or the blossoms may fall off if the soil dries out.

Put the pepper plants back under grow lights, keeping the top leaf 3 to 4 inches away from the lights. Continue to run the grow lights 14 to 16 hours a day.

Inspect the pepper plants for aphids or spider mites. If you notice any of these pests, spray the entire plant with insecticidal soap or a mixture of 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap, 6 drops of hot sauce and 1 gallon of water. Do not spray the plant with the insecticidal mixture when the grow lights are shining on it. The leaves must be dry from the treatment before the grow lights are turned on or the leaves could burn. Spray the plant again in another four to five days. Inspect the plant in another five days to see if another application is necessary.

Feed the pepper plants a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer after the first batch of blooms has set fruit. After that, apply more fertilizer every six weeks. Mix and apply according to label directions.