Author Topic: Peppers - What next? (Read 7528 times)

nuttycyclist · « **on:** 23 April, 2008, 01:52:17 am »

May 2007 - Plant the 14 seeds that came in a packet of peppers.

7 came up, but not much activity. Around 6 inches in height on average.

By end of 2007 forummers were telling me that that was it and I'd lose them over winter. I'm pleased to announce that two survived.

Over winter these two plants have changed from the light green of new plants to the dark green of mature plants.

But...

One plant is seven inches tall and has four leaves at the top, the other is 3.5 inches tall and has 5 leaves.

When Mrs Nutty realised these were plants that would be growing us pepper for salads, and that one plant was smaller than a pepper, she couldn't stop laughing at me.

So...

Where do I find second gear? How do I get these plants big enough to produce a pepper, and how do I get them to fruit?

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:05:02 am »

Here's a photo for your amusement and my frustration. The pepper is from the supermarket and the plants are a year old, they haven't changed size since Sep/Oct time.

marna · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:15:54 am »

Warmth and food! Have you anywhere that's cosy and bright to keep them? I'd repot at least the bigger of those into some tasty rich compost, and possibly put more of the stalk under the soil. (This works for tomatoes, at least.) Pinch out the tip at about a foot tall, if they get that big, to encourage fruiting.

Athough, we have almost given up on peppers, at least outdoors. They need a warmer climate for any sort of decent yield, I reckon. Or better allotmenteers.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:22:44 am »

Other than the cold overnight I'd put them back in the greenhouse for warmth (they've been indoors over the winter for warmth).

Repotting has been considered, but there's still plenty of room in those pots (hardly any root). They are also already in a very good compost, with added <bugger, forgotten the name, that inert substance that holds water and is recommended for seeds> to make sure they don't dry out.

As for pinching the top off at a foot tall? I'll mention that in my will, should the plants live that long

marna · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:31:48 am »

It shouldn't be that cold overnight if they're in the greenhouse. Where do you live? Harden them out over a couple of mild-ish nights? Tonight is almost balmy (possibly slight wishful thinking). A greenhouse would be ideal, I'd have thought. They do very much like light, and they're probably not getting enough of that indoors.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:38:15 am »

It seems pretty nipy out there tonight. i moved them out on Saturday, but in again in a few hours as i felt sorry for them.

marna · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:44:21 am »

No sympathy! My weather-ticker thing says 9c (for London), and peppers will be fine in that. And greenhouses have more shelter and warmth than the outside. I'd reckon that they need the light more than the warmth at this stage. Bring them in if it threatens to freeze again, sure, but I think they'll be happier in the constant sunshine.

juliet · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 April, 2008, 08:47:32 am »

I reckon pot them on even if they do still have room (and agreed that you should bury lots of the stem). And feed them!

Also, yes, agree with Marna about getting them out into the greenhouse.

hairyhippy · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 April, 2008, 08:59:37 am »

Do peppers form new roots like tomato plants then?

steveB · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 April, 2008, 09:19:38 am »

I've always found peppers right buggers to germinate, so they're worth keeping for sentimental reasons if nothing else; name them and love them.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 April, 2008, 10:34:57 am »

Quote from: juliet on 23 April, 2008, 08:47:32 am

I reckon pot them on even if they do still have room (and agreed that you should bury lots of the stem). And feed them!

Also, yes, agree with Marna about getting them out into the greenhouse.

re-potting will take place then.

What's the best food?

steveB · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 April, 2008, 02:43:55 pm »

Quote from: nuttycyclist on 23 April, 2008, 10:34:57 am

re-potting will take place then.

What's the best food?

Tomorite or similar will be fine, I always break down growbags for potting toms or peppers.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #12 on:** 03 July, 2008, 09:25:31 pm »

I thought it's about time for an update.

It's very exciting!!!

Over a year since this started, I don't know how much spent on seeds, compost, pots, food, and also man hours spent watering etc...

There are two peppers growing!!!! One per plant!!!!! At this rate I can stop shopping for part of one meal on one occasion

(but they work out ruddy expensive compared to shop bought)

little miss mac · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 July, 2008, 09:32:14 pm »

You won't be able to bring yourself to eat them, so much love and attention have you furnished upon them. They will become a part of your family, pet peppers with names who will answer to your call and cuddle up with you on the sofa of an evening.

Brings a tear to my eye, it does. *sniff*

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 July, 2008, 09:35:33 pm »

So have you met Peter and Paul the Peppered Pals?

Do their personalities show in the photo?

Si · « **Reply #15 on:** 04 July, 2008, 10:31:46 am »

Mine shot up to that size within a couple of weeks of getting them.

Then I planted them outside.

Now there have shrivelled right back dow again

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 May, 2009, 11:52:36 pm »

Just thought I'd update you.

Peter's pepper rotted on the plant.

Paul's pepper was harvested, but tasted shite.

Neither Peter nor Paul made it through the winter.

Shop bought peppers are the way forward

So why do I now have lettuce and cucumber plants growing

Watch this space... Christmas Salad is underway.

Regulator · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 May, 2009, 08:43:23 am »

You don't have kids do you Nutty? $:-\$

Kathy · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 May, 2009, 10:47:33 am »

Quote from: Regulator on 28 May, 2009, 08:43:23 am

You don't have kids do you Nutty? $:-\$

<Imagines Nutty with kids>

"GAH! This kid is defective! It leaks and is noisy, and it doesn't even walk yet! All it does is lie there and gurgle. IT'S SH!T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"

</imagine>

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 May, 2009, 12:18:25 pm »

Quote from: Kathy on 28 May, 2009, 10:47:33 am

...and it doesn't even walk yet! ...

I'm sure that with a bit of fettling I could resolve that issue.

nuttycyclist · « **Reply #20 on:** 05 June, 2009, 01:33:20 am »

Quote from: nuttycyclist on 27 May, 2009, 11:52:36 pm

...
So why do I now have lettuce and cucumber plants growing Watch this space... Christmas Salad is underway.

New thread

Lady Lucy Lettuce and her Lovely Ladies

MSeries · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 August, 2009, 10:20:18 am »

Mrs MSeries bought a chilli pepper plant from Morrisons for 75p it was about 4" tall. To date we've used 1 pepper, it currently has 16 more growing on it. We in on a windowsill in the house which gets the afternoon sun.

Author Topic: Peppers - What next? (Read 7528 times)

steveB

steveB