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Does anyone cut the tops off their pepper plants?
Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 2:06 pm
by Gary350
I have heard if you cut the top off your pepper plants they turn into a bush and make more peppers too but I have never tried it. I know this method works with other plants. I trim the top and end off all the limbs of my Basil plant it grows 2 new limbs where place it is cut.
Re: Does anyone cut the tops off their pepper plants?
Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 3:13 pm
by jeff84
it does work, but increased yield is debatable.
Re: Does anyone cut the tops off their pepper plants?
Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 4:47 pm
by PaulF
With peppers you are removing a good portion of the fruit producing area if you prune. The plants may get bushy but you most likely will have a decrease in production.
Re: Does anyone cut the tops off their pepper plants?
Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 10:04 pm
by Gary350
PaulF wrote:With peppers you are removing a good portion of the fruit producing area if you prune. The plants may get bushy but you most likely will have a decrease in production.
That is what I figured, that is why I have never tried it. My bell pepper plants usually get 6 feet tall and make a few peppers before temperature gets 100 degrees and very little rain for 3 months. Oct the plants will each produce about 50 to 60 large peppers. 1 or 2 plants is all I want. This year I am going to experiment with shading the plants in hot weather.
Re: Does anyone cut the tops off their pepper plants?
Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 10:06 pm
by imafan26
I only cut my peppers after the first flush of peppers, if the top is crooked or broken, or I have a lot of mite issues. I don't prune them if I don't have to.
Re: Does anyone cut the tops off their pepper plants?
Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2017 3:48 am
by rainbowgardener
I think people usually prune and top pepper plants if they want to bring them in to over-winter.