Bellboy Peppers

[jollyroger123]

Hi

I finally have some peppers.  Now im wondering how big they grow before picking, I really love em green.

Also is it possible to overwinter my pepper bushes, as they are lovely plants and it would be a shame to just shove them in the compost bin.

(will they fruit again?) :)
Thanks again

[jollyroger123]

[amphibian]

Hi

I finally have some peppers.  Now im wondering how big they grow before picking, I really love em green.

Also is it possible to overwinter my pepper bushes, as they are lovely plants and it would be a shame to just shove them in the compost bin.

(will they fruit again?) :)
Thanks again

If you want them green pick them when they are no longer growing, but before they change colour, not the easiest thing but green peppers taste at their best at this point.

Peppers can be overwintered, some just put the plant somewhere warm and bright, a heated conservatory, a bright windowledge. While others will prune the plant back hard, to only 6" or so, and put it somewhere mild and with little direct light, forcing the plant into dormancy.

People have had excellent results with overwintered plants, many claim far higher yields.

I am planning to over winter a rocoto, just because it is a stunning plant.

Oh, and indoors, watch out for aphids, they're a right pain.

[philandjan]

We've got six different varieties of chillies going nicely in the greenhouse and 3 different capsicums.

It's the first time that we have grown any and are going to have a go at overwintering them, though we lack any decent windowsill space indoors and the greenhouse isn't heated - so maybe we'll try wrapping them up in fleece.

[amphibian]

We've got six different varieties of chillies going nicely in the greenhouse and 3 different capsicums.

It's the first time that we have grown any and are going to have a go at overwintering them, though we lack any decent windowsill space indoors and the greenhouse isn't heated - so maybe we'll try wrapping them up in fleece.

Personally I would hard prune them and put them inside, they won't need much light over winter. Come spring they will sprout new stems and grow anew.

The only chilli I am going to try and get through the winter intact is my Rocoto bush, it is beautiful and I want to see how big I can grow it.

[Mrs Ava]

I am an overwinterer of chillis and yes, once they have finished fruiting, I cut the plants back by half.  They start to produce a good month to 6 weeks before fresh sown plants.  Also, by bringing them in, you can still be picking fruits right into winter altho they don't want to fully ripen, I guess because of lack of sunlight.

[Gillian]

Hi everyone,

I'm growing bell peppers with some success this year - they are about 2 - 3 inches long, quite fat and green.
I picked one last week but it didn't taste good at all. It was quite bitter. Should I wait longer? Will the flavour improve if I leave them longer or did I do something to affect the flavour somehow.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks
Gill