I don't bother topping my plants as my season isn't that long but this year I got better equipment and was able to start early. I know people top their plants to get it to split faster, in theory more yield.
I have some chinense plants (faddas white and others). The seedlings are tiny at the minute but there is loads of growth that I'm really happy with. One plant is producing side shoots already and I'm inclined to keep them on. Would you remove these now? Or aim to have a bushier plant for when i move it outdoors? It's also happening with my baccatum too.
My camera on my phone is bad, apologies for bad pics
by BeigGenetics
9 Comments
A bushier plant is better these aren’t tomatoes
Plants evolutionarily have grown on their own and besides humans for so many thousands of years. No it doesn’t need you to prune it at such a young age. Give it strong light and let it continue to grow.
I’d tear out the side shoots that are low to the ground. Wait until you get a little distance up from soil level. Similarly I tear off the first shoots on side branches. The stuff closest to the ground and closest to the main stem doesn’t get as much light and sucks energy from the outer parts of the plant. Plus a lot of branching close to ground level makes it more of a pain when you’re watering (assuming you’re growing in pots and watering by hand).
I would leave them on until it’s ready to transplant
Small peppers leave on, big peppers remove
It depends on what pepper and how long your growing season is. In my conditions super hots from off shoots never seem to ripen on time so I usually remove them.
Only time you want to remove the lower leaves are if you want to repot deeper or if they are too close to the soil, to keep it healthy and free of pests that want to get to the leaves.
Top it and you will get more growth?
Youre doing a great job. Keep the leaves off the ground to avoid problems and you’re good to grow!