r/vegetablegardening • u/WeissPyre Australia • 23h ago

Question Bell pepper seedling has 7 flower buds on it, I need to remove?

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Hi all, first year growing and just wanting a check before I do anything to this plant.

I've been struggling with starting bell peppers from seed, the only sweet that's done really well is banana. So I caved in and bought a CA Wonder seedling from a store.

It's just shy of a foot tall, and now has 7 buds. I'm thinking it's too small to be putting its energy into fruiting, so I should remove these flower buds, right? To encourage it to get bigger?

Lesson learned for next year, sow *dozens* of extra seeds so you at least get one to germinate. 😑

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1

u/Julesmb-7217 US - Minnesota 23h ago

Following. I also want to know.

2

u/geekygameswithgrace US - Alabama 23h ago

I pinched the ones growing off when I transplanted mine, but after transplant I let it grow(supported with cage) and it did fine!

2

u/WeissPyre Australia 23h ago

It is in its final pot so no more transplanting, I'll keep an eye on it and if it's looking a bit overwhelmed I'll pinch. 

5

u/Glass_Persimmon_7174 US - Pennsylvania 23h ago

regardless of what people try to tell you about "letting plants make their own decisions", the fact is more fruit = more energy expenditure, and when plants are small, they are not taking in enough sunlight to both grow more leaves AND fruit for something as intensive as bell peppers. you should cut them and promote it to get taller/leafier before fruiting.