Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Peppers

Bell Peppers:

Virginia wrote~ I'm trying to figure out why my green and red peppers were about the size of golf balls this year. I took care of them the way I usually do, but the result was very different from other years. Any information would be appreciated!

A. All I can offer is that this summer was marked by unusual weather throughout the US from the East coast through the Midwest and into parts of the South and Southwest. So many gardeners have complained to me about their vegetable crop being so different [and displeasing] compared to years past, even though they had cared for them the same way as always. Mother Nature does control us more than we admit or even realize. Drought changes plant growth and the bearing of their fruits and seeds. Not too long ago, California suffered a seven year drought and we all learned how precious water is!

So, I doubt that the failure was due to your culture, but rather the causes of a very unusual growing season of 2001.

Jalapeno Peppers:

Q. I have two plants growing in a garden on my porch. They look like jalapenos which I had planted back in September, but no peppers yet. How long does it take? The package said 75 days.

A. I do not know where you live, as to the current and recent temperatures in your zone. It always helps me to know that basic info in suggesting alternatives. If the days are getting short [Northern Hemisphere] and the temperatures are dropping below 60 degrees F, then the plants will not likely bear fruit. In general, peppers and most vegetables are best planted in the spring, so that the lengthening days and higher temps will encourage them to set fruit and bear. The 75 days referred to from sowing to harvest is based upon growing from spring into summer.

Luise writes~
Can you please tell me if the purple pepper plant is an annual or a perennial?

A. There are several hybrids of purple peppers on the market, some with green foliage, but having peppers ranging from white-lavender to deep purple. All appear to be annuals. But, if you live in a moderate, non-frost climate, the plants will self-seed, so in the spring you will see seedlings popping up where the plants were the prior season. In any case, it is best to harvest several peppers at the end of the year, ripen the seeds in a cool, dry, dark place, keeping free of rot, then enclose in an envelope and later sow in the early spring as you would other garden vegetables.

Pretty in Purple (green leaves)
Purple Delight
Bolivian Rainbow (green leaves, seeds from Cameron)
Ornamental Rainforest Pepper, Trifoliate Pepper:
A spectacular container plant from the rain forests of Central America, the plant displays a never ending array of variegated foliage, each leaf will exhibit shades of white, green and purple with no two leaves looking alike. Also features purple stems and blooms. Bears loads of hot fruits that turn from deep purple to bright red when mature.