Chilli peppers

[anthonyjb]

hi All
My chilli peppers are about 4 ft tall do I need to cut the tops or just let them grow

Also they are all green. At what time should they go red

Many thanks

Anthonyjb

[rustylady]

Mine are still green too Anthony. I don't cut the tops off my chilli plants, but if they get very tall they sometimes need staking.

[veggiechicken]

I don't know much about chillies but wouldn't it depend on what variety they are?

[anthonyjb]

Thank you ladies

anthonyjb

[leonmc0708]

I have never nipped out the growing tip on a chilli plant myself.

Mine where all green a few days ago and are now starting to go red/yellow/purple now.

[JoeDaStudd]

Damn I thought mine were big at just over 2' tall.

[Philthy]

Depends what you're trying to achieve. If its about shape and structure, with a view to keeping the plants overwinter, or just tidy in their environment, I'd say yes. If its to encourage more shoots, and therefore more flowers / chillies, in my opinion its a bit late in the season to be thinking about pruning. You probably will get a few more fruits, but is there enough time left for them to ripen? You say your existing crop is still green. Also depends a lot on the variety, and the plants' location.

I'd go with rustylady; leave them to grow tall and stake as required.