Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Alright so quick question for the gurus out there. I'm looking to grow 2 different types of peppers this winter, but do not want hybrid seeds, I know some level of cross pollination is likely to occur.

My question is this, say I grow the two plants for winter, then bring them out for the summer and seperate them by plenty of distance, how long give or take before my pepper plants will stop producing pods that contain hybrid seeds? Hope that makes sense, I can try and clarify if needed. Thanks in advance as always folks!

I don't know if anyone could give a time frame, but do know that they will cross pollinate and if you want to keep a certain variety for seeds, you should keep them separated. Not sure how far, but would think not in close proximity. My peppers bloom all year, so cross pollination could occur anytime. My Ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers, which I make sauce out of, always are separated so I can get clean seeds. I will try and cross the 2. But, I'll hand pollinate them.

I grew a Cayenne Chilli for a number of years, from fresh seed every year, and it stayed true to type. I then introduced a Hungarian Hot Wax into the yard, but kept them well separated, one was in the veg garden at the rear of my backyard, the other in a pot down the side of my house, a separation of about 15-20m. I kept the seeds from both, but lost the Hungarian Hot Wax seeds.

The next year planted the seeds collected from the Cayenne and the Chillies that formed were still red, but they were shorter and fatter, somewhere in between the Cayenne and the Hot Wax. They turned out to be a nice Chilli, so I've grown them every year since and they've always turned out true to their hybrid form. They haven't reverted back.

I have been saving seeds from my peppers. I have not been worrying about cross pollination. I think some crosses might be fun. The most interesting pepper I have is a lilac bell. It's skin is a light purple, but it's flesh is white. My purple bell's skin is purple, but it's flesh is green.

Crosses can be fun, but if you're trying to keep pure varieties, then you would need to take cross pollination into account. I want to cross my Ghost and Carolina Reaper and see what kind of evil pepper that will produce. Reapers are doing well, should have blooms in another 30 days.

Wow, a lot of chili heads here! I'm actually really interested in growing reapers and ghosts this winter, any tips would be awesome. We just moved our system indoors so I have virgin grow bed to plant. Love the feedback so far guys thank you.

Keep them warm when germinating, they like lots of sun and heat. The only problem I've had was whitefly- which seem to love them. I've used parasitic wasps and Neem to control them. The wasps should be purchased very early when you notice the whitefly. I waited too long and had to use the Neem to knock them down. Now the wasps are doing a good job. I pinch blooms off til the plants get over a foot tall. helps them get well established and able to support more fruit. If your growing them in AP, use a GB, seems to work better then a DWC. Also, they get big- over 6' easily. need some room. Feel free to cut them back if they get too leggy, they will pop out new growth and keep producing for years. I' don't know for how long...don't have enough experience yet. At least 3.

This is what mine are going into.

If I sell 200 bottles, I'll be close to a break even on my system.lol

Alright, seeds, for ghost and reaper in the US. Tried some from amazon, ibknow, a mistske, they were bell peppers.... any good vendors proven to have quality heirloom seed stock?

I bought my Ghost's on Ebay a few years back. I just got the new Reaper seeds. I'll try and dig up seller. I have some seeds if you need some. Ghost's no Reapers yet. Next Spring/Summer.
http://www.amazon.com/Carolina-Reaper-P ... B00BR3VFGW
That was my CR seeds. Germination was about 80% with no heat pad.