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I've been given a few peppers plants a few weeks ago, which I'm now trying to grow inside, on my sunnier window ledges. While trying to find out how to care for them, most advice I've found seems to indicate that I should "pinch out" the top when the plant is ~30 to 40cm tall (the tallest is current;y about 30cm now, so I'll need to do something with them soon).

I understand why we do this, and think I know approximately what I should be doing, but I'm a complete novice and have never tried to do this before, and would rather not accidentally kill them early on.

So, exactly how do I pinch out a pepper plant?

Lisa
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DMA57361
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3 Answers3

8

I assume this is to stop it getting too big? I've grown a lot of peppers and I've never pinched them out, but I grow mine outside.

I find a healthy pepper plant with a good root system will readily put out new shoots from lower down as it gets bigger or is under attack - e.g. broken branch; defoliation by horn worm; falling over and gravity is suddenly in the wrong direction; etc.

So I think you should be fine with whatever you do. 30-40cm sounds a reasonable size and it should be mature enough to do put out new growth quite quickly. Two days ago I staked up some ancho plants about that size that had fallen over, and they were already putting out new shoots after less than a week in that condition.

winwaed
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5

I've never pinched out peppers, but when I pinch out small tomato suckers or the tips of basil (especially if I'm removing a flower), I literally use my fingertips to pinch the stem and it comes away from the plant.

However, if I'm pruning a thicker stem that I know isn't going to just pinch away from the plant, I will use scissors. This avoids a ragged/torn stem that is going to damage the plant and may invite disease and/or pests.

You can try pinching your peppers with fingertips. If you don't get a clean cut this way, go get scissors and snip just below where you pinched so you have a clean cut.

As with so many things, this is one of those activities that's easier when you keep up on it. Pinching suckers with your fingertips is quicker and easier than pruning stems with scissors.

bstpierre
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2

As noted, pinching is for small tender stems. Use your thumbnail to cut the stem, pressing the stem into your index finger - using your finger as a "cutting board". It's a very natural action - it's not like using chopsticks or something!

Ed Staub
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