Pepper Seedlings Flowering Prematurely??

Jimche · April 28, 2009

We are seeing flower buds already on our Jimmy Nardello and Tolli's Sweet Italian seedlings. The plants are about 4 or 5 inches. Just wondering whether this is normal, or if there is anything we should do. None of the other dozen pepper varieties are doing this. Any help will be much appreciated!

Jim

Wi-sunflower · April 29, 2009

Many peppers will flower at a rather small size. Especially if they are root bound. Hot peppers with a smaller fruit size do it all the time in the greenhouse.

I never do anything about those early sets tho they will often make a smaller or deformed pepper.

Carol

outsiders71 · April 30, 2009

Normal. I personally would pick off the flower buds and have the plant focus its energy on growing.

Cherokee_Motley · April 30, 2009

I agree with carol, I generally cut those small flowers off and wait for the next set.

Blueaussi · April 30, 2009

A lot of times those early buds drop on their own, but pinching them back is fine, too.

Jimche · April 30, 2009

Thanks, everyone, for the great responses. My fiance, Galina, informed me that she already pinched the buds off, a day or so ago. One less decision to make...ok with me

Jim

April 28, 2009	#1
Jimche Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 58	Pepper Seedlings Flowering Prematurely?? We are seeing flower buds already on our Jimmy Nardello and Tolli's Sweet Italian seedlings. The plants are about 4 or 5 inches. Just wondering whether this is normal, or if there is anything we should do. None of the other dozen pepper varieties are doing this. Any help will be much appreciated! Jim

April 30, 2009	#4
Cherokee_Motley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 18	I agree with carol, I generally cut those small flowers off and wait for the next set. __________________ To grow a heirloom tomato is to grow a little taste of history.

April 29, 2009	#2
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Many peppers will flower at a rather small size. Especially if they are root bound. Hot peppers with a smaller fruit size do it all the time in the greenhouse. I never do anything about those early sets tho they will often make a smaller or deformed pepper. Carol

April 30, 2009	#3
outsiders71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 150	Normal. I personally would pick off the flower buds and have the plant focus its energy on growing.

April 30, 2009	#5
Blueaussi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Zone 8a Posts: 1,205	A lot of times those early buds drop on their own, but pinching them back is fine, too.