On Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:47:18 +0100, "PK" wrote:


"brian mitchell" wrote in message
...
I have four sweet pepper plants in the greenhouse which are only now
coming into flower. I wonder if I should do anything to try to make sure
I get a few peppers (are they called fruit?), it being so late in a dull
season? Should I limit the number of flowers? Should side shoots be
removed as with tomatoes? And are these self-fertile or do they need
assistance? Any other tips or instructions?

Brian Mitchell

A little assisted conception might not go amiss, other than that leave them
be

pk

Peppers aren't self fertile so need insects, or a child's paintbrush.
Chillis are perenials so if you can bring them into a conservatory,
they can get an early start next year. Probably drop all their leaves
due to low light levels. Worth trying are they aren't big plants and
don't stink like tomatoes. The latter won't ripen if it gets below
55 F. No idea if peppers are the same. Also supposed to be no value in
letting red peppers go fully red before picked.

They are meant to bush. No pinching out of shoots or tips.

Quite a few pepperheads swear by spraying the plant with 2% epson salt
solution at flowering time. Supposed to increase the crop.

I was late in putting my peppers into pots this year. Those pots are
mostly outside and even they are making peppers now.