Overwintered Bhut Won't Stop Growing...cut back?

13 years ago

Last year I started some bhut plants from seed in February - by September I had more peppers than I knew what to do with. When the first frost was forecast in Chicago, I brought the plant in. Around October 20th, I cut the plant down to a 6 inch "stick". Very quickly, there was new growth. Almost 5 months later the plant continues to sit by the patio door and now sports a lot of small shoots ( 1-2 inches max ) but also 2 shoots that turned into massive branches. They are approx. 2-3 FT tall and have leaves at the top. As we near the growing season, should I cut these back and allow the main stick do the growing, or are these important for energy production? It would be a huge thrill to get another season of peppers out of the same plant. Thanks in advance for any help.

Comments (3)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years ago
I would cut it back.
As long as you leave enough foliage for photosynthesis it should be just fine.
I try to keep my overwintered peppers at a conservative size.

Josh
esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
13 years ago
Cool, I am going to try this next fall. I have 4 bhuts started this year and will take the best one and cut it back in the late fall and bring it in. I am probably a zone higher than Chicago so I will probably have to overwinter a bit longer. It sounds like a great activity for the winter months up here north of Madison, Wisconsin.
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tsheets
13 years ago
I'm no expert on overwintering / pruning (middle of second year of overwintering), but, I did just trim back several very long / thin branches that had grown out over this Winter. Last year, I pretty much left them, but, found that those spindly branches were too weak to support the fruit once Summer got here. So, I decided to trim them back this year. Oh, and not that it really makes much difference, but, it wasn't a bhut that I overwintered.