Help a newbie to pepper-growing?

LindyAdele · December 31, 2014

Hi! I have only grown one variety of pepper for many years (chinese 5 colour) which has been fun because I bring him indoors in the winter where he flowers and fruits for me (usually). Very hardy as a small ornamental that grows peppers I can eat!

I would like to expand to grow maybe 4 different peppers this year which I can can for pickled pepper rings, and salsa. I am accustomed to tomato growing (normally 15-20 varieties). I have been hesitant about pepper because I don't have a large growing area and have been worried about crossing them. Will a 'cross' between hot and sweet peppers result in peppers that year that are less hot or more sweet than they should be? Or can I just not save seeds from them? Is there anything I need to know about soil preparation that is different than for tomatoes? Do you have recommendations for varieties to start with?
I was thinking Jalepeno, Hungarian Wax and Lemon Drop....

December 31, 2014	#1
LindyAdele Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 323	Help a newbie to pepper-growing? Hi! I have only grown one variety of pepper for many years (chinese 5 colour) which has been fun because I bring him indoors in the winter where he flowers and fruits for me (usually). Very hardy as a small ornamental that grows peppers I can eat! I would like to expand to grow maybe 4 different peppers this year which I can can for pickled pepper rings, and salsa. I am accustomed to tomato growing (normally 15-20 varieties). I have been hesitant about pepper because I don't have a large growing area and have been worried about crossing them. Will a 'cross' between hot and sweet peppers result in peppers that year that are less hot or more sweet than they should be? Or can I just not save seeds from them? Is there anything I need to know about soil preparation that is different than for tomatoes? Do you have recommendations for varieties to start with? I was thinking Jalepeno, Hungarian Wax and Lemon Drop....