We've had a few abnormal cold snaps which I think stunted growth a bit here in North Texas 8A and I'm wondering if it would be better to let these plants grow a little larger and bushier before allowing them to fruit. Am I on the right track?
by I_Can_Haz
20 Comments
I’d just trust the plant to know what is best.
That’s what I do! Hard to make yourself do it, but I’ve noticed a big change in production of peppers since I started doing this. Plus my pepper plants usually end up being almost 3 feet tall in the end too.
Definitely pinch, lots of plants as a stress reaction produce flowers too young. When they do that they divert a lot of energy from growing larger and being able to produce great quantity peppers later in the season.
Yes, you should pinch them off.
I always do, that’s if you have an appropriately long enough growing season.
They look big enough to support 1-2 peppers each. I’d pinch all but those.
No
The only study I know of that covers this suggests no evidence for a difference in production. If your season is long it is probably a waste of time. If your season is short you’re reducing the first harvest when you likely won’t get more than a couple harvests.
I am not a fan of anecdotal evidence because there are far too many variables at play to properly assess the difference. Year over year changes, soil, sunlight, random variation when comparing a couple plants to one another, etc…
You can find the study by googling “FLOWER THINNING ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BELL PEPPER HYBRIDS”
You could top the entire plant and come out ahead in the long run.
No point to pinching them. Just feed them.
I’ve done both in the past — half pinched off, half left alone — could not tell any difference. Now I don’t bother. The best technique I have found that I swear by and practice each and every season: Plant extra. Every time I’ve planted only what I thought I would need, nature flings a curveball — pests, disease, weather, whatever. Plant extra so you have wiggle room. You can always give excess to family, neighbors, friends, etc.
Zone 6b. I have had success with pinching my peppers.
I pinch and also did an experiment where I headed a few and not the others. The ones that were headed off were way better off.
I read that green peppers don’t need pinching
I’m around Toronto and have a relatively short season. I’m not picking off any flowers!
It probably depends more on sunlight, fertilizer or rather availability to nutrients, and water than it does pinching flowers. It’s not a bad idea but depending on your resources you may be able to adjust your inputs!
I pinch them off until I think the plant is strong enough to grow them. Peppers bloom so abundantly I don’t feel bad about it at all.
This year I have a plant I overwintered. I’ve been lengthening the photoperiod as the foliage develops. At about 13 hours, blossoms have formed, but the foliage is still scant. It might be another few weeks before it goes out to the greenhouse. It might be another month before I let fruit form…unless the foliage grows like ~~bindweed or bamboo~~ I’ve never seen it grow.
When my pepper plants have 3 pairs of true leaves I top my plants. It allows them to bush out more. Makes the branches stronger and they produce more peppers without running the risk of snapping the main stem.
Last year I pinched my plant and then it didn’t flower again for like 6 weeks. So this year I’m not doing it 🤷🏼♀️. I’m curious to see how it impacts the yield.
Yes and YES, SERIOUSLY.