Should I top off my pepper plants to get a higher yield? - Ask Extension
I have seen several videos on the Internet suggesting that I cut the tops off of my pepper plants to get a higher yield. Will this method work in Min...
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Should I top off my pepper plants to get a higher yield? #333053
Asked June 16, 2016, 3:08 PM EDT
I have seen several videos on the Internet suggesting that I cut the tops off of my pepper plants to get a higher yield. Will this method work in Minnesota? With our shorter growing season, does it make sense to do that? If so, how much off the top should I cut? Also, if there are some flowers at the top, is it OK to cut those off? Thank you very much for your help.
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
I have never heard of anyone - at least in Minnesota - topping peppers. Our growing season is shorter than in other parts of the country and topping them could compromise yield. I could see removing some smaller flowers to increase size of remaining peppers, but the plant will likely drop flowers on its own that it cannot support.
Here is our Extension publication on growing peppers as well as tomatoes an eggplants. There is no mention of topping.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/growing-tomatoes-peppers-and-eggplant/
Here is our Extension publication on growing peppers as well as tomatoes an eggplants. There is no mention of topping.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/growing-tomatoes-peppers-and-eggplant/
Thank you Julie! I will just let them be. Yes, I'm sure geographical location and duration of growing makes a huge difference in how to tend them.
