Mini Bell Peppers..

BackyardBirdGardner 6/20/2011, 11:02 pm

Help me harvest them. They are about golf ball sized and "should" be about ripe. They are a little tough to the touch. They have been this size for a few weeks now.

We took three to sample tonight. They seemed a bit tough, but chewy...almost rubbery. Decent pepper flavor, but the texture wasn't crisp.

Too early? Too late? Or just the mini pepper variety?

shannon1 6/21/2011, 1:25 am

Are they still green?

BackyardBirdGardner 6/21/2011, 10:59 am

**Furbalsmom** 6/21/2011, 5:43 pm

I thought the mini bells turned colors (red, yellow or something other than green) when they are ripe. Since my personal preference is for the sweeter colored peppers, I would not pick them green.

BackyardBirdGardner 6/21/2011, 8:47 pm

This is what I am hoping for. But, I don't remember seeing anything on the package about them being red....just green.

I'll keep waiting. I have plenty still coming.

shannon1 6/24/2011, 1:49 am

It took what seemed like forever for my full sized bells to start to go red. Now that they have started I think they will be ready to pick in a few days. My neighbor swore they were not going to change color but the proof is in the pudding.

FamilyGardening 6/24/2011, 3:01 am

thank you for asking this question, because im wondering when i should pick mine as well.....mine are green right now and are suppose to turn yellow....the problem im seeing is three of them are growing so close together....when should i pick them?....will they keep growing larger the way they are so close together?...thinking back and knowing what i know now....i think i should have only let one flower bloom to fruit.....what do you all think?

hugs
rose

Mini Bell Peppers.. 06_19_24

shannon1 6/24/2011, 4:53 am

I would wait if they were mine, but that's because I like the sweetness of the ripe peppers much better than the green.

littlejo 6/24/2011, 7:44 am

Sometimes peppers don't crisp up in this heat. As long as it is shiny it is ok, but will taste better if the weather cools off some.

Jo

Squat_Johnson 6/24/2011, 8:56 am

I have grown bell peppers for a few years, but mine don't seem to get very big. Anyone know the key to big bell peppers? Mine are about 1/3 the size I see at the store.

Ha-v-v 6/24/2011, 9:27 am

Im growing red, orange, yellow, green and chocolate bell peppers. I plan to let them all ripen on the plant even if they are close together. I read some where that folks have digestion problems with bell peppers (green) because they arent ripe. I myself have eaten green bell peppers store bought and my stomach always was say blech. So wish I could find that article. (when I do I will post it) Green bells in my garden will stay until they have a hint of red. I have a yellow bell starting to turn yellow now, Im excited about this!! Will take some pics of them today while down there Smile

Ha-v-v

quiltbea 6/24/2011, 10:07 am

All the colored peppers are green to start. You can pick them any size that suits your cooking needs but by all means, pick several of them green.
If you wait for them to change color, they will stop producing more peppers, knowing they are at the end of their growth period. If you keep picking, they keep making babies.
When the season is near its end, that's when you should allow peppers to change color and stop producing.

In a cluster, pick one to make room for the others to grow larger.

Bell Peppers are known for their thick walls. Its how they were bred. If you want thinner walls, try other varieties.

PS....I grew mini-bells before and picked them really small.
Mini Bell Peppers.. 09-19-12

Here's a mini-bell allowed to get red. They really are mini.

BackyardBirdGardner 6/24/2011, 10:42 am

QB, is the timing of the green pepps critical? I like green, but the "rubbery" was not a great texture for the mouth, even though the flavor was pretty much the same. If they take forever to change color, will they crisp up a little if I wait? Or, is earlier better?

The last thing I want is for them to stop producing. Thanks for the tip.

The Old Creak 6/24/2011, 11:53 am

Place your peppers in a paper bag with a fresh banana, they will turn to their final color in a few days. I tried this a couple of weeks ago, and it really works!!

jwbryson 6/24/2011, 12:10 pm

I pulled all of my scallions and planted 2 mini-bell peppers about 2 weeks ago. How long until you get fruit? Rolling Eyes

Hyzleyes 6/24/2011, 4:35 pm

jwbryson wrote:I pulled all of my scallions and planted 2 mini-bell peppers about 2 weeks ago. How long until you get fruit?

I planted three bell pepper plants on May 11. They've all flowered, but I've only noticed one pepper so far. It looks like it's about half the size I'm expecting. Not sure how typical this is, but for what it's worth, it's what I'm seeing so far.

MasonGarden 6/24/2011, 5:27 pm

I don't have mini bell peppers, but have a related question. I planted sweet bell pepper transplants on May 9th: Red Beauty, Admiral (yellow) and Better Belle (green). They are only about 12" - 14 tall, but all are producing flowers. They seem pretty small to hold the weight of full sized peppers. Is it too soon for them to flower? Should I pinch the blossoms off and let them grow a bit more (how much?) before allowing them to flower? Thanks!

jwbryson 6/24/2011, 5:36 pm

I dunno. :?:

I'm no expert, but if I were you, I don't think I would pinch off the flowers at this point. I would give them time to grow and thrive and keep an eye on them. If the plant gets too heavy there are ways to support it.

Wish I could offer more.

MasonGarden 6/24/2011, 5:44 pm

Thanks, JW! You just saved the lives of about a dozen peppers! You're a step ahead of me, so I appreciate it. I joined the forum just over a year ago, but I didn't get my garden in until April 30th. I'm quite the rookie at this, but loving the whole process of planting, and nurturing, and seeing tiny seeds (and little transplants) turn into food!

thanks

BackyardBirdGardner 6/24/2011, 7:02 pm

When it comes to peppers, I'm a rookie, too. However, I have let mine flower from day one, MG. Mine were like you are describing...about 14 inches high. I can't remember when I planted them outside.....about 2 weeks post frost date here.....so about May 1. They took awhile to get going because of the cool spring, but they are doing great now....both growing AND flowering.

I thought peppers could be difficult, so when I first saw flowers, i thought I'd let them go not knowing what I was in for. A few weeks later, I've had a great year for flowering and even setting fruits.

I would be patient and give myself license to play around a bit. Let some go. Harvest some when you feel like they are ready. The best teacher is experience, and if you are getting fruits from flowers, take the opportunity to learn this season for next.

Good luck!

MasonGarden 6/24/2011, 7:18 pm

Great advice BBG. One thing that I unexpectedly am having to learn through my SFG is PATIENCE! Thanks for the reminder. flower

BackyardBirdGardner 6/24/2011, 9:43 pm

MasonGarden wrote: One thing that I unexpectedly am having to learn through my SFG is PATIENCE!

Me, too.

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