Harvest Stubby bell peppers

[parsonswife]

Trying to grow bell peppers for the first time. They have turned to the right color but are really flat, not "puffed" out like store bought. Also the red bells have one side that is weak walled and crepe like skin as if they been in the store too long. What should I do better for next year?

 

[summerthyme]

The size and shape is genetic... pick a different variety next year (Ruby Giant is a nice OP type that produces really *big* green peppers that ripen to red... they are rather long in shape, which only is an issue if you want to make stuffed peppers)

The other issue sounds like sunscald. Some shade cloth during the hottest months, or planting taller plants (sunflowers, corn) to the south of the peppers to provide some afternoon shade may help.

Good luck!
Summerthyme

 

[parsonswife]

Thanks! I was wondering about the sun as an issue

 

[Stanb999]

The short stubby peppers did not get properly pollinated. Off conditions at fruit set cause this. Try a pepper that is bred for your area.

 

[packyderms_wife]

The size and shape is genetic... pick a different variety next year (Ruby Giant is a nice OP type that produces really *big* green peppers that ripen to red... they are rather long in shape, which only is an issue if you want to make stuffed peppers)

The other issue sounds like sunscald. Some shade cloth during the hottest months, or planting taller plants (sunflowers, corn) to the south of the peppers to provide some afternoon shade may help.

Good luck!
Summerthyme

I bought some of those long skinny bell peppers, at Sam's Club of all places, and I cut them vertically and stuffed them like boats. OC seemed to prefer it that way so now I look for the really fat bell peppers to cut vertically when I cannot find the long ones.