Last year was my first year growing peppers - Hungarian hot wax - and I've included a link to that older Thread (which also has quite a few pics). At the end of the season, I selected one plant to over-winter indoors. Then, this spring, I planted it out in the garden. (I also grew Thai chilis, but that's another Thread entirely!).

Two days ago, I finally dug the Hungarian back up, and put it into a one-gallon container for winter. The foliage was pruned 1 - 2 weeks ago, and already new growth is forming. Once some of that new growth has hardened off, I'll remove the older, ratty-looking leaves.

As you can see, my mix is bark-based, with ample Perlite for excellent drainage. I also use sharp quartz gravel for weight, drainage, and stimulation of root development.

On with the pics!

Josh

Be sure to take pics of your indoors setup!

Josh

Also, where did you get them?

When I saw this post the other day I meant to ask a question, but forgot. So, here it is.

Why do you plant the pot in the ground?

I've posted before about how much better my plants do when planted in the ground versus in a pot. I've had plants from the same seed pack struggle to reach three ft in a pot, but approach five feet in the ground. But that's just me - others disagree.

So, anyway, I'm just curious as to your reasoning is all.

Thanks

Rick

Thanks, Buzzsaw! This potting mix can be watered thoroughly without staying too wet during the winter months. It's lightweight but structurally stable, and it allows for good root-development. Since the pruned peppers might as well be rooted cuttings, I focus on healthy roots - as opposed to big foliage - for the Spring transplant.

Hey, Rick! Thanks for the question.
The plastic pots are to protect the roots from gophers, and to allow me to water/feed the root-zone efficiently. Those are just old nursery containers that have the bottoms cut off. I might try drilling a few holes around the outside next year, to allow roots to grow further, laterally.

My largest pepper plant, this year, was indeed free-range. It was the runt, and I didn't care if the gophers got it or not. In July, a deer got into the garden and ate my pepper plants in half - Hungarian, and two Thai's. The runt plant was reduced to about eight inches. Then, in response, it shot up new growth and became the largest of my plants. Its peppers took the longest to ripen, however. Today, when I pruned it down, there were 76 peppers in varying stages of ripeness on the plant.

Josh

This winter, I kept my Hungarian in a much drier soil-mix, and I fertigated a few times with dilute 9-3-6 fertilizer.

Anyhow, the proof's in the pudding, as they say. This was my first chili, now going into its third year:

This April, the plant is flowering much more than last year. I pluck all flower buds, but left them on for the pic:

Containerized plants will almost always be smaller than in-ground plants...unless you use a container
that is very large, essentially acting as a raised bed.

If the container mix is evenly moist - not too hot or too cold - a dose of Calcium might be indicated.
Also, continue to lightly fertilize plants.

A picture would give a better idea of what you're describing.

Josh

Josh

Sweet peppers can be over-wintered. I've never tried a tomato, though.


Josh