Sweet Bell Peppers

[Scoot]

I started these quite late, about the end of April i think. when they grew to a few inches high, i cut the main stem to encourage 2 main stems to thrive which is exactly what has happened. Anyway, they weren't doing very well outside in my growhouse due to the rubbish weather and cool nights we've had this summer, so i fetched them indoors at the end of July and since then they have shot away. They aren't in the biggest of pots about 4 or 5 litre pots, and i was just wondering because i have quite a few peppers on now, do you snip off the growing point on each stem and the new flowers so the plant directs all it's energy into the peppers which formed first?

Or do you just let them carry on producing?

[WendyC]

The issue from now on is going to be light levels, the equinox is next week! Unless you can maintain really good light levels, I think I would cut my loses and focus on the ones I have got. Having said that I know some people overwinter the plants by just keeping them ticking over ready for any early start in the new season. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you some tips as to how you might do this.

[jacob]

They self-limit and will stop flowering when they decide they've set enough. Though as WendyC says, your running out of light...

For overwintering, just keep them as a houseplant, keep warm, out of drafts, with as much light as you can find. Don't water too much. Some people prune, but I just remove anything that looks unhealthy.

[Scoot]

Will i still get some peppers this year off them by doing this? And some next spring once light levels start to increase again?

[Scoot]

I'd rather just get as many peppers this year. So like i said, would it be right in thinking to cut off the top flowers to get the first peppers that formed to get bigger? Like you do with Tomatoes basically.

[bramble]

Yes Scoot, i would cut the developing flowers off now if you want to get some ripening fruits now.
When you have picked all the peppers you could prune it back and care for it as other peeps have suggested.

[Scoot]

Thanks bramble, I will cut them off tomorrow and accept what I have for thus year. I will try and keep the plant going over winter ready for spring.

[Scoot]

Disaster. I rotate my plants from the front of the house to the back of the house everyday to get them as much sunlight as possible. Just now when I was about to transfer them to the back windows, when moving one of them, I hadn't realised a vase was leaning on it so when I've moved it the vase has fallen on it and snapped it clean off at the base. They're very brittle plants. Down to one plant now. I've took the peppers off the one that has snapped.

[Scoot]

What would people suggest for over wintering these?

Cool bedroom (will sometimes have radiator on) facing West, so not much light or warm downstairs window in room with log burner facing East.

[Thelma Sanders]

What would people suggest for over wintering these?

Cool bedroom (will sometimes have radiator on) facing West, so not much light.

That's where mine go The rad only goes on if people come to stay over.

[Scoot]

So, as I'm going to over winter this plant once the peppers have been picked, how much of it should i prune?

[Scoot]

Anyone? Please lol.

[vixylix]

opinion seems to be divided between whether to prune or not prune at all. As its quite a small plant anyway I think I'd leave it as it is. Its a bit hit and miss whether they make it through the winter anyway, so I'm not really sure pruning makes a difference!!

**I should caveat this that I'm attempting overwintering for the first time (I'm not pruning) - so the above is from lots of research and reading, rather than real world experience!!

[Thelma Sanders]

I prune mine to about 10in high - but I think it needs to be above the fork in the main stem at whatever height that is.
Yours looks as if it forked quite low down, not all of them do.

[skeggijon]

If it was me, I would cut them right back to about 6inches high. The important bit for overwintering is whats underground, rather than whats above.
Overwintering is hit and miss at the best of times and the plant may end up looking like a dead stick, but give it a chance to come back to life.