Sweet pepper plant flowering and setting fruit... again
Is it usual for a container grown pepper plant which has been overwintering indoors to flower and start setting fruit so early. There’s still snow falling outside here and getting enough light is a problem with north facing windows. The plant is covered in flowers and I can see the tiny fruits. I’m not complaining, it looks like it will be a bumper harvest from this plant I just wondered if its normal. I was also considering pruning it a little but I’m scared as it is a beautiful plant and I don’t want to harm it. Any advice? I’m in upstate NY if that helps. Thanks, very nice site!
Posted
by: Jess Haines
(1 point)
Posted: February 22, 2013
Answers
I wouldn't say it is abnormal. Pepper flowering is regulated mainly by daylight hours, heat and phosphate availability. Different cultivars flower at different times and conditions. If you haven't fertilized with phosphate recently and haven't turned up the heat in your house, then I'd say your plant is realizing the days are getting longer, although it does seem a bit early. Pruning it a little will not hurt it, don't worry. I've tried pulling off flowers to prevent fruits from forming but the plant usually doesn't listen very well and just regrows more flowers. If it grows too many flowers or forms too many pods, it will abort them on its own.
Posted
by: Matt Peoples
(7 points)
Posted: February 22, 2013
Jess Haines commented,
Matt, I think you got it! I had totally forgotten I had given it a food stick a few weeks ago! Thanks for all of the information, extremely helpful about 11 years ago.
Matt, I think you got it! I had totally forgotten I had given it a food stick a few weeks ago! Thanks for all of the information, extremely helpful about 11 years ago.
Most peppers are subtropical to tropical plants so they're not going to follow the seasons as strictly as we might expect. I have a habenero in my greenhouse right now with peppers and buds on it. They're also perennials, so if you take care of it you could have peppers for a long time. As for pruning, an occasional thinning won't hurt it - plants usually like it and come away from a light pruning re-invigorated. That said, I've never pruned my pepper plants back except when they're suffered frost damage or had branches die off. Sometimes when they grow indoors they can get really leggy, so if you're having problems in that regard, raise the light levels as much as you can. Enjoy your harvest!
Posted
by: David Goodman
(69 points)
Posted: February 23, 2013
Jess Haines commented,
Thanks David, its a beautiful looking plant and I intend to keep it for as long as I can, peppers or no peppers. I was just confused by finding myself with peppers when it was snowing! about 11 years ago.
Thanks David, its a beautiful looking plant and I intend to keep it for as long as I can, peppers or no peppers. I was just confused by finding myself with peppers when it was snowing! about 11 years ago.
David Goodman commented,
I think you should be darned proud of yourself, honestly. Good work.
"The weather outside is frightful... but my capsicum annuum looks delightful..." about 11 years ago.
I think you should be darned proud of yourself, honestly. Good work.
"The weather outside is frightful... but my capsicum annuum looks delightful..." about 11 years ago.
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