[Clare~Bear]

Does anyone on TSR like gardening?

And in particular, has anyone grown peppers before?

If so, have you got any tips?

This next bit applies to most/all plants I think; when you pot them into induvidual pots, why do instructions say to put them in small pots, then moved them into larger pots?

It might take up more room than necessary to begin with, but it saves the faffing of having to re-pot them again. And the way the isntructions are usually worded makes it seem like you're meant to put them in a small then big one, as if it's better for them. But how/why?

And they have to be kept indoors anyway, so eventually the big pots are going to be inside anyway.

[THESHade]

Peppers, right...



Nah, I keed...
but curious question... where do you wanna plant them? Are you a student?

[Clare~Bear]

I can't plant them outside, so I'll have to keep them on windowsills inside.

I like gardening, and I like peppers. My dad came home with a packet of pepper seeds one day, so I grew them. I've separated them into small pots each. But I wanted to see if anyone had some tips for the best harvests.

I wouldn't be on this site if I wasn't a student

[PhoenixFortune]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Does anyone on TSR like gardening?

And in particular, has anyone grown peppers before?

If so, have you got any tips?

This next bit applies to most/all plants I think; when you pot them into induvidual pots, why do instructions say to put them in small pots, then moved them into larger pots?

I think the reason for smaller pots first is so the plants aren't so exposed/competing for space/likely to get weeds growing around them.

I have a few bell pepper plants, which I started growing in February, and they've been flowering well. Unfortunately, probably because the plant isn't big enough yet to sustain a growing harvest, all the flowers just die and fall off, so they probably need nurturing for at least one whole growth cycle before they have enough stem strength and stored nutrients to grow actual peppers.

[Pawsies]

I grew some peppers last year from seed. They did well, peppers did grow (albeit tiny) initially however they didn't grow enough and died shortly after. I would recommend making sure they have plenty of plant food/compost and light.

However a lot of UK plants have been suffering with this weather so many have not done very well. Peppers are not native to the UK so I believe they also struggle. I would aim to put them in bigger plant pots once they have become bigger seedlings and make sure each one has enough nutrients to avoid competition/lack of nutrients.

[g.k.galloway]

i'm quite a keen gardener and have grown both peppers and chilli's inside and outside. Inside was much more successful especially this year with the summer we are having.
Once they start flowering pinch off any new small shoots - this ensures the plant puts all its energy into the roots and fruit production. Also, with the first two or three the plant makes pick them quite small - this encourages the plant to grow more fruits.

its important to start them in small pots as for germination and the start of growth they require quite a lot of humidity. i find that planting them in small pots and putting a cloche over it really helps with fast germination
(if you can't buy a small tank or cloche then cut a large lemonade/pepsi bottle in half and put the top of it over the pot - ensuring you have unscrewed the lid!)

once they are larger and transplanted they should not need a cloche. I have never had to use any fertiliser or special compost for my plants, i think this depends on the quality of the seeds you have, and the weather.

hope this helps in some way...sorry for the essay

[Clare~Bear]

(Original post by g.k.galloway)

Thanks Shame that my reps don't have any power.

One thing that you didn't mention was watering them. I know some plants need a lot of water and others can easily be over-watered. What about peppers?

[Suzanathema]

I am growing peppers

Keep them indoors with plenty of light - windowsills are ideal. They do best when the roots get warm, so I have mine in black pots that get warm easily.

I water mine once a week. I was doing more but they got a bit sad looking. The internet recommends feeding when the soil feels dry on top, it'd probably be more frequently in this lush weather!

Finally, feed them tomato food. i got some baby bio tomato food for aomething like £1.50 from Sainsburys, which is suitable for peppers and chillies. This is important because once you start getting fruits, a lot of the nutrients in the soil get sucked up by the plant.

Good luck!

[Rakas21]

Subscribe - Going to watch this thread with ease (lets treat it as a gardening society)

I have over the past two years become very interested in growing my own food as my uncle sorted his garden out and now grows tonnes of stuff which has inspired me a bit. I intend to grow a number of vegetables and also start growing stuff on the windowsills in my accommodation (think i can easily get 3 pots).

Not sure what i shall grow yet but will definitely do something.

[robo donkey]

If this is going to be the gardening society, I'll join.

I repotted my aloe vera today, it's a nice new pot with a nice outer pot too for drainage. Feels good, man

[Dinnes]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Does anyone on TSR like gardening?

And in particular, has anyone grown peppers before?

If so, have you got any tips?

This next bit applies to most/all plants I think; when you pot them into induvidual pots, why do instructions say to put them in small pots, then moved them into larger pots?

It might take up more room than necessary to begin with, but it saves the faffing of having to re-pot them again. And the way the isntructions are usually worded makes it seem like you're meant to put them in a small then big one, as if it's better for them. But how/why?

And they have to be kept indoors anyway, so eventually the big pots are going to be inside anyway.

Hi, I've grown peppers with my mum for the last few years now, and they're really easy to grow once you sort out a few things:

• For all plants: It's best to start small with pots and move up, because otherwise there will be too much moisture held in the soil around the plant and it will rot. There's always a lot of talk about big pots 'shocking' plants, and I think that's the same thing.
• For peppers generally: They're generally pretty reliable, the key things are to keep them warm, and not to over-water them. They actually like being mildly dry from time to time: so long as they aren't soaking you'll do fine with them.

The reason I say that about the peppers is that watering too much can cause several problems - if you water them in midday and cover the leaves with water, if it's hot the leaves can burn and this obviously isn't good for the plant. Also if it's cool and damp and you overwater, you risk rotting. Finally, when there are peppers forming, if you over-water the ends of the peppers will start to rot, causing Blossom End Rot.

So long as you aren't too over-the-top with the watering peppers are one of the easier crops to grow. If you are watering your peppers too much a good sign is if the joints between the stem and the leaves will go black. In that case then give them less water.

If you follow all of that then each pepper plant can produce numerous peppers. They start off green, then the longer you leave them the more vivid their colours will become and the sweeter they will become also. They'll go green->yellow->orange->red. Red ones are delicious ^_^

Sorry if that was a bit long, I thought it'd be best for me to mention every single thing that could go wrong just so that you'll be sure to get a great crop.

Hope it goes well!
Dan

[robo donkey]

If it's possible on a tiny scale, I used to work in an industrial greenhouse that grew small batches of peppers (and mostly tomatoes) and they drip water everything directly into the compost bags where they were planted into, seemed to work quite well, sunlight seemed to be the biggest problem, getting enough of it that is

[g.k.galloway]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Thanks Shame that my reps don't have any power.

One thing that you didn't mention was watering them. I know some plants need a lot of water and others can easily be over-watered. What about peppers?

soz for the late reply - been making the most of the nice weather!

if it hasn't already been answered - just keep the compost quite moist until they start to produce fruit, then give them more water - probably every day (in the evening). this ensures you get plump, juicy fruit

[Clare~Bear]

(Original post by g.k.galloway)
soz for the late reply - been making the most of the nice weather!

if it hasn't already been answered - just keep the compost quite moist until they start to produce fruit, then give them more water - probably every day (in the evening). this ensures you get plump, juicy fruit

Thats the opposite of what Dinnes said

[g.k.galloway]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Thats the opposite of what Dinnes said

oh right...well that's how i've done it. it is true that if you give too much water then they rot though...that's happened to one of the plants i have in a smaller pot I suppose everyone will have their own ways - you'll just have to find the way that works for you It might also depend on the type of peppers you are growing.

[Clare~Bear]

The tomatoe feed says to start using it when the first truss has set then change how much you give it when the second truss has set.

Mum says that a truss is like a vine/bunch of tomatoes, but peppers don't grow like that. So when should I start using it?

[Herr]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Does anyone on TSR like gardening?

And in particular, has anyone grown peppers before?

If so, have you got any tips?

This next bit applies to most/all plants I think; when you pot them into induvidual pots, why do instructions say to put them in small pots, then moved them into larger pots?

It might take up more room than necessary to begin with, but it saves the faffing of having to re-pot them again. And the way the isntructions are usually worded makes it seem like you're meant to put them in a small then big one, as if it's better for them. But how/why?

And they have to be kept indoors anyway, so eventually the big pots are going to be inside anyway.

I am into gardening and foresting, though primarily did foresting and aqua gardening. I don't really do much of it these days though due to work commitments.

As for planting peppers, I've done it before and but did more of aubergines instead. They are fairly easy to take care off just don't over water it and ensure your potted soil is quick draining.

If you are planting peppers indoors and the light is insufficient you could supplement it by using some artificial light usually by placing a CFL bulb 2ft away from it.

[kka25]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
Does anyone on TSR like gardening?

And in particular, has anyone grown peppers before?

If so, have you got any tips?

This next bit applies to most/all plants I think; when you pot them into induvidual pots, why do instructions say to put them in small pots, then moved them into larger pots?

It might take up more room than necessary to begin with, but it saves the faffing of having to re-pot them again. And the way the isntructions are usually worded makes it seem like you're meant to put them in a small then big one, as if it's better for them. But how/why?

And they have to be kept indoors anyway, so eventually the big pots are going to be inside anyway.

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
I can't plant them outside, so I'll have to keep them on windowsills inside.

I like gardening, and I like peppers. My dad came home with a packet of pepper seeds one day, so I grew them. I've separated them into small pots each. But I wanted to see if anyone had some tips for the best harvests.

I used to! I had a garden of my own when I was 13! I planted quite a few veges; I also planted sunflowers

But, not anymore; I've abandoned the garden and it has turned into ruins
One day maybe, I'll do it again.

[Rakas21]

Any updates, fellow gardeners?

I've decided to grow indoors a rose, a tulip and an orchid because they look great (well i'm growing a few of each actually, may try flog some). I'm also going to grow some fruit or veg but haven't decided what yet.

[kka25]

(Original post by Rakas21)
I've decided to grow indoors a rose, a tulip and an orchid because they look great (well i'm growing a few of each actually, may try flog some). I'm also going to grow some fruit or veg but haven't decided what yet.

Sounds great