Would this be a bad idea?

Woodenzoo · February 25, 2006

This year I'm planning on growing the following peppers in 5 gal. containers and was wondering if you all thought I could get away with two plants in each 5 gal. container? Or would that be pushing my luck?

California Wonder
Chocolate Bell
Grand Bell
Anaheim Chile
Jalapeno
Thai
Zimbabwe Bird
Pimento

Thanks!
Cathy

montanamato · February 26, 2006

I put 3 or 4 plants in 5 gallon containers. I have always had very good yields with peppers that were crowded. They offer some protection to each other from the sun and wind.
I do not plant the same variety together. I try to stagger them for size. For example I plant a small bushy type like Franks or Trinidad Seasoning with a tall leggy Thai or Italian type and place a few medium size around those. Each plant has his own zone and the containers are really attractive too.
Looks aside, peppers seem to like crowding. One year my Anaheims got taken over by some Mortgage Lifter tomatoes. The plant that was completely covered by the tomatoes produced 3 times what the other peppers of the same variety produced. It could have been the shade factor, as that was a very hot year, but I have been planting them closer ever since and only seen better yields.

Jeanne

**nctomatoman** · February 26, 2006

I am of a differnt camp on this - I give my plants their own container; however since I've not done the multiplant thing, can't really comment. From what I've seen, Bell sweets have the biggest issues with yield, so wouldn't crowd them.

Woodenzoo · February 26, 2006

Hmm...
Well, maybe I'll try a few and see how things go.
I'm planning on two pots for the sweet peppers anyway, so will try 1 pot of each with two plants and 1 pot of one each and see which does best.
Thanks for your thoughts!

Cathy

February 25, 2006	#1
Woodenzoo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio z6 Posts: 141	Would this be a bad idea? This year I'm planning on growing the following peppers in 5 gal. containers and was wondering if you all thought I could get away with two plants in each 5 gal. container? Or would that be pushing my luck? California Wonder Chocolate Bell Grand Bell Anaheim Chile Jalapeno Thai Zimbabwe Bird Pimento Thanks! Cathy

February 26, 2006	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	I am of a differnt camp on this - I give my plants their own container; however since I've not done the multiplant thing, can't really comment. From what I've seen, Bell sweets have the biggest issues with yield, so wouldn't crowd them. __________________ Craig

February 26, 2006	#2
montanamato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,038	I put 3 or 4 plants in 5 gallon containers. I have always had very good yields with peppers that were crowded. They offer some protection to each other from the sun and wind. I do not plant the same variety together. I try to stagger them for size. For example I plant a small bushy type like Franks or Trinidad Seasoning with a tall leggy Thai or Italian type and place a few medium size around those. Each plant has his own zone and the containers are really attractive too. Looks aside, peppers seem to like crowding. One year my Anaheims got taken over by some Mortgage Lifter tomatoes. The plant that was completely covered by the tomatoes produced 3 times what the other peppers of the same variety produced. It could have been the shade factor, as that was a very hot year, but I have been planting them closer ever since and only seen better yields. Jeanne