Perpetual peppers, how to grow chilipeppers

Step 5 Flowers and fruits

This is just a step to show how mother nature takes care of things: first there are tiny white flowers and then small green peppers.

Comments

[airexurb]

I'm glad you posted a picture of the flowers. Mine just started to flower and I was worried because they are pointing downward.

[gardenpat]

Just keep in mind that if you are planting more than one variety of pepper to keep them away from the other varieties. They are highly promiscuous and you can end up with some that look like your bell peppers and taste like your jalapeno! Ask me how I know! LOL!!

[Rotten194]

That's awesome, unless you're like me and can only eat bell peppers.... "Hey look! A bell pepper! Om nomnom. ARGH!"

[kitsuken]

That would be an awesome prank XD

[poi_pai]

I dunno, I kinda want giant jalapenos...

[catman529]

It's called pollination...peppers are in the nightshade family, all of the members of which I believe are self-pollinating. That's why it's so easy to grow them, because no insects are needed to pollinate. Peppers are related to tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, groundcherry (tomatillo), and some others.

[romaine]

yes, they are self pollinating (outside the wind or insects is enough but if you have your plants inside you have to help the process by shaking the flowers lightly) but they can still cross-breed, I've had some weird looking fruits, especially in the tomatoes.

[catman529]

Some people use a motorized device like a vibrating toothbrush to pollinate tomatoes. As far as cross pollinating, I've seen plenty of heirloom tomato varieties that were accidental crosses that were stabilized over the course of a few years. I haven't grown peppers yet but I would like to sometime soon. Maybe under my grow lights this winter. No more room in the garden this year, it will all be taken up by tomatoes, cukes, beets, and some herbs.

[romaine]

Greenhouse tomatoes are vibrated every day to get a bigger yield. As for 'no more room in the garden', mine is going to be expanded with a 'earthbox' . I have always grown herbs because they are easy to grow in pots. This year I am trying runner beans, more peppers and globe artichoke in old paint buckets.

[catman529]

I am going to fit as many tainers as possible (mostly regular pots, but I want to try an earthbox). Maybe I can sneak in a pepper plant. Only problem with that is that I prefer to grow from seed, but it's too late to start peppers now and I would have to buy a plant that someone else grew. That's just my own problem though, I might pick one up at our farmer's market if I get the urge.