HOT PEPPER PLANTS

[uzlaguzla]

Are pepper plants self pollenating? I have a Ghost Pepper growing under the lights and need to know if it will need help after it flowers.

[KarenO]

Yes They are self pollinating. Shake the plants gently several times a day.
KarenO

[SuntannedSwede]

Gently vibrating the back of a flower with an electric toothbrush helps too- you'll know its worked when you see a puff of pollen (you might not see it if the flower has been open for a few days already)

[carolyn137]

But also know that hot peppers can and do x pollinate with almost any other peppers you might be growing. it's the main reason I gave up growing hot peppers since no way was I going to cage them to keep out the insects that do the X pollinating.

Carolyn

[Salsacharley]

This is one of the main reasons I am overwintering 14 pepper plants this year. All the plants but 3 came from seeds I purchased from known seed companies and the pods were true to form as much as I can determine. I did have one purchased variety that was supposed to be Purple Serrano but the pods were very much like Pink Tiger, so even best cross pollinating prevention efforts aren't guaranteed.

Originally Posted by carolyn137

But also know that hot peppers can and do x pollinate with almost any other peppers you might be growing. it's the main reason I gave up growing hot peppers since no way was I going to cage them to keep out the insects that do the X pollinating.

Carolyn