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Capsicum (Shimla Mirch)RabiOpen-pollinatedUpdated 6 September 2026

California Wonder

The classic introduced open-pollinated variety that most Indian bell-pepper types trace back to — a compact plant with thick-walled, 4-lobed, blocky green fruit that ripens red.

SeasonRabi
Maturity periodFirst harvest ~70–75 days after transplant
Expected yield15–20 t/ha (open field)
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Capsicum (Shimla Mirch)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Rabi
Maturity period
First harvest ~70–75 days after transplant
Seed rate
400–500 g/ha for nursery sowing (about 160–200 g/acre)
Expected yield
15–20 t/ha (open field)
Suitable soil
Loam

About this variety

California Wonder is the long-established open-pollinated bell pepper variety that most Indian capsicum breeding traces back to. The compact, medium-tall plant carries thick-walled, four-lobed, blocky green fruit that ripens to red if left on the plant, and because it is open-pollinated, seed can be saved from a healthy crop. It remains widely grown for the open-field green-fruit market and is often the reference type used to describe other capsicum varieties.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    MaturityFirst harvest ~70–75 days after transplant
    Yield potential15–20 t/ha (open field)
    Disease resistanceNo special resistance; standard virus and mildew watch
    SoilLoam
    SeasonRabi

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeNursery sown September; transplanted October–November in the plains
  • Seed rate400–500 g/ha for nursery sowing (about 160–200 g/acre)
  • Spacing60–75 cm between rows, 45–60 cm between plants

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

First harvest ~70–75 days after transplant

Expected yield

15–20 t/ha (open field)

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • No special resistance; standard virus and mildew watch

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Open-pollinated — seed can be saved from a healthy crop
  • Widely available and well understood by growers and buyers alike
  • Thick-walled, uniform, blocky green fruit

Things to consider

  • No special resistance to leaf curl virus or bacterial wilt — standard vector and drainage management still needed
  • Lower yield than the modern F1 hybrids

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra
  • Punjab