11/25/08
Six months ago, I planted two Red Beauty pepper seedlings in pots in my living room.
Today, with snow on the ground, I harvested my first fully ripe, perfectly formed red bell pepper.
What’s interesting about this is that normal ripening time is 60-70 days. These plants, unplagued by bugs, wind, rain, and wide temperature fluctuations, grew three times taller than their outdoor counterparts yet have produced fewer than a dozen peppers between them, taking 2-3 times longer to bear fruit. They had to be pollinated by hand, which might account for it, although my outdoor peppers haven’t done much better.
The living room is a pseudo-greenhouse: south-facing and floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. Temperature range 55 to 90, depending on season and sunlight. But less light than plants would get out in the garden. A set of sister peppers went into the lasagna garden at the same time, fruited at the usual time, and had to be thrown away because all were ruined by some insect predator. The peppers on my living room plants, growing in slow motion, are flawless.
At this point I’m curious to see how long I can keep them going. Is it possible to get fresh peppers in February?
Meanwhile, there’s something small and wonderful to appreciate for Thanksgiving.
Carolyn Haley
Author: Open Your Heart with Gardens
Posted by: Opening the heart, gardens, gardening, yard, plants, cultivation — Carolyn Haley
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