Green Pepper Plants

[Stubbornhillfarm]

I have some green pepper plants in my garden. They are about 6-8 inches out of the ground and pretty bushy. They have numerous flowers and peppers starting on them. We have a relatively short growing season. Should I let them go or should I pinch them off? I read on someone elses post that they were encouraged to pinch them off. Completely different scenario, but wanted to check. Thanks all.

 

[lesa]

In Maine, I wouldn't pinch anything off!! You should be fine. The other poster had plants that looked quite stressed- if yours are bushy, let them go. Enjoy your harvest!

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah... if your short season is like my short season... I'd let all the flowers go on a bushy plant. If your plant had 3 leaves, I'd pinch, but in a short season area with a bushy plant, bring them flowers on! I figure I will NEVER see a human height tomato or pepper plant in the PNW that is grown in an outdoor garden.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Great! Thanks to you both! I will let them go and wait for some deliscious peppers.

 

[hoodat]

Most times peppers are pretty good at limiting themselves to the amount of fruit they can handle. When they have all they can mature at any given time they stop setting fruit till some are picked or they make enough new growth to be able to set more.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

hmmm...good to know hoodat. I love all these little tips. Thank you!

 

[journey11]

I wouldn't pinch. Peppers can go longer into the fall than most of the other things in the garden. They'll put up with a light frost. I always find the later season peppers to be a little juicier/thicker walled, once the heat of summer tapers off.

 

[silkiechicken]

I wouldn't pinch. Peppers can go longer into the fall than most of the other things in the garden. They'll put up with a light frost. I always find the later season peppers to be a little juicier/thicker walled, once the heat of summer tapers off.

Your summers must be hot... there is no such thing as a later season pepper in the years I've tried. LOL But I've since just given up...average day temps in the mid 70's for the hottest part of summer = waste of time/space/energy.

 

[IB4Fun]

I think your lucky! I planted several pepper plants and all I have left is one! LOL I believe a lil rabbit decided it liked them. I also have banana peppers and they are good and rabbit left them alone, it must have been something about the 'bell' hahaha

 

[lesa]

IB, the first thing I plant in a garden is a fence!!!