Peppers indoors: how to pollinate?
Stevans
Im growing sweet bell peppers indoors this winter, each one has a 1 to 1
1/2- gallon pot (about 8 plants). The reason is the deer mowed ALL of
them this summer, so I brought the stems in, and now each is a foot
tall, and bearing flowers!
The question is: how do I properly pollinate the flowers? How do I
tell the male flower from the female? (no jokes, please ;P ) Ive tried
a few things, my first attempt made two flowers shrivel and fall off,
but my second attempts worked, and I have a fruit developing on one
plant! :)
How can I keep this up? What should I look for in the flower? Thanks,
Dan
Gandy Dancer
After careful review of your situation, I would offer the following:
You know the second attempt (the one that was successful)? Repeat that as
many times as necessary for all 8 plants. But I really think you need to
decide what you want - fruit or flowers...and when we're talking about
peppers, well, quite frankly I don't see you getting too many apples or
banannas off those plants. I'm actually pretty surprised that you found a
fruit growing there, and I'd be really curious to know what it was.
So I guess what I'm saying is, be satisfied with the flowers, and just
consider it a plus if you also get a pepper or two. And in fairness, I
think you ought to consider sharing the peppers with the deer; after all,
they found'em first.
Re what to look for in flowers: Generally I look for nice symetrical
petals, good robust color, and nice scent. (I know, you're going to say you
can't SEE a fragrance, but I was speaking more or less figuratively - if you
get my drift.) Also, I like to look for anything that's moving, because
whatever it is doesn't belong there and should be removed - not to get too
scientific about it.
Finally, Dan, we never EVER joke about the gender of our plants...insects,
however are a different story (except for bees). Didja hear the one about
moth balls?
Gandy
Stevans wrote in message <37EC2BB8...@vtacs.com.net>...
Stevans
> I really think you need to
> decide what you want - fruit or flowers...and when we're talking about
> peppers, well, quite frankly I don't see you getting too many apples or
> banannas off those plants. I'm actually pretty surprised that you found a
> fruit growing there, and I'd be really curious to know what it was.
>
A fruit contains the reproductive items (in this case, seeds) of a plant. But
I'll check to make sure they're not growing on the stem.
> So I guess what I'm saying is, be satisfied with the flowers, and just
> consider it a plus if you also get a pepper or two. And in fairness, I
> think you ought to consider sharing the peppers with the deer; after all,
> they found'em first.
Excuse me for actually trying to get something useful out of an already
nice-looking plant. Luckily I only shoot the deer, they prove useful in their
own way (walking sacks of food).
> Re what to look for in flowers: Generally I look for nice symetrical
> petals, good robust color, and nice scent. (I know, you're going to say you
> can't SEE a fragrance, but I was speaking more or less figuratively - if you
> get my drift.)
Theyre white, they dont smell, and they dont talk back. Luckily the wind isnt
blowing this way, so I cant say I got the drift.
> Also, I like to look for anything that's moving, because
> whatever it is doesn't belong there and should be removed - not to get too
> scientific about it.
I'll make sure to squish the tiny vans they're packaging furniture into, luckily
most have homeowners insurance.
> Finally, Dan, we never EVER joke about the gender of our plants...insects,
> however are a different story (except for bees). Didja hear the one about
> moth balls?
>
No, but I heard the one about the ladybug and the aphids...they said "eat
me"....Thanks so much for the tips
>:(
* leaves nwsgrp
Bill Morgan
[snip]
> The question is: how do I properly pollinate the flowers?
Back to that in a minute...
> How do I tell the male flower from the female?
Peppers have perfect flowers: both male and female in the same bloom. So
you just need to be able to tell the male organs from the female in the
same flower. The male organs are stamens. A stamen consists of long
filaments ending in an anther, which should be yellow in color. There are
normally 5 stamens in a pepper flower, and these will be between the petal
and the center. You would collect the pollen from the anthers by using an
artists paint brush, a q-tip or even your fingertip.
The female part is the pistil, which is the central portion of the flower.
It consists of the ovaries at the base, and a sort of ascending tube (the
stile) which ends in a sort of sticky landing pad (the stigma), which is
where you need to deposit the pollen.
A quick examination of the flowers should show you where these parts lie in
relation to one another.
>(no jokes, please ;P )
Ok, but just this one time. At least until I get you an anther, er answer
to your quethtions.
> Ive tried
> a few things, my first attempt made two flowers shrivel and fall off,
> but my second attempts worked, and I have a fruit developing on one
> plant! :)
Well, now you know how to do it. But there are a couple of things to be
aware of:
1) peppers are self-pollinating to some degree. They will often set fruit
with or without a bee (or human) to do the pollination. This ability varies
a lot from variety to variety. Some of the ornamentals set quite heavily in
this way. Since you have so many plants, you might consider leaving one or
two untouched to see how they do. If they set lots of fruit, you might be
wasting your time trying to manually pollinate the flowers.
2) Don't get greedy. If you wind up with too many fruits on the plants,
they (the fruits) will grow slowly and not get very large. Some may even
abort. The plants have a certain amount of "fruit load" that they can
manage, and it is best not to overload them.
> How can I keep this up?
Well, you could try dialing 1-800-BOB-DOLE for information of that kind...
But seriously, getting the peppers pollinated is something you'll get good
at pretty fast.
> What should I look for in the flower? Thanks,
Just the stamens and the pistil. It's pretty easy, really. I doubt that
you'll even need a hand lens to see these parts.
Regards,
Bill
--
Bill Morgan <wtmo...@pilot.msu.edu>
"Those who do not learn the lessons of science fiction are condemned to
live them."
C. A. Owens
Stevans wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Im growing sweet bell peppers indoors this winter, each one has a 1 to 1
> 1/2- gallon pot (about 8 plants). The reason is the deer mowed ALL of
> them this summer, so I brought the stems in, and now each is a foot
> tall, and bearing flowers!
>
> The question is: how do I properly pollinate the flowers? How do I
> tell the male flower from the female? (no jokes, please ;P ) Ive tried
> a few things, my first attempt made two flowers shrivel and fall off,
> but my second attempts worked, and I have a fruit developing on one
> plant! :)
>
> How can I keep this up? What should I look for in the flower? Thanks,
Use a watercolor paintbrush. Dabble it in one flower on the plant, and
just keep going until you've painted every flower twice.
Chris Owens
Steven Cangemi
> Both plants have approx. 4 -5 inch peppers, not really large enough to
> harvest. My ?? are: should I fertilize them and let them grow a bit more?
> Whether I pick the peppers now or in a few more weeks, if I let the plants
> continue to grow - would they flower again? Just curious about the
> latter -- my first time growing peppers in pots.
I you expect more warm weather, put the peppers back outside, bringing them
in when the forecast is threatening. Once the weather turns consistently
cool, little additional ripening will occur, and you may as well harvest.
I've never been thrilled with my indoor pepper crops. The flavor just
isn't there. I do however like over-wintering peppers. It gives them a
nice head-start on the next growing season. Keep them in a sunny window or
under lights. Any fruit that I get during the winter is just incidental.
I really want to learn if I can let the peppers go dormant, but I've never
done that.
--
Steven Cangemi
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
USDA Zone 5
Glenna R. Chapman
Steven Cangemi wrote in message ...
>
>I you expect more warm weather, put the peppers back outside, bringing them
>in when the forecast is threatening. Once the weather turns consistently
>cool, little additional ripening will occur, and you may as well harvest.
>
>I've never been thrilled with my indoor pepper crops. The flavor just
>isn't there. I do however like over-wintering peppers. It gives them a
>nice head-start on the next growing season. Keep them in a sunny window or
>under lights. Any fruit that I get during the winter is just incidental.
Thanks for the " potted pepper primer", Steve. I appreciate.
Glenna in Colorado zone 4/5