Bell Peppers.

[zabado]

I'm new to gardening (just retired) and I have some bell pepper plants growing in a large tub. They are only about 6 inches tall but have now started producing flowers. These flowers will turn into the fruit I know, but the plants don't seem to be growing tall enough yet. Surly these plants should be a lot taller before they flower. Or am I rushing things ?.

[Clanad]

Bell peppers ripen fairly slowly... depending on the temperature, (especially at night) they can take 3 weeks at 65 to 70 degrees (F) day time temps, but can take 4 to 5 weeks at 55 degrees (F). It also depends on what color you want them to ripen to... longer if you want vibrant reds and yellows rather than pedestrian green...

Those estimeates are for larger fruits... not from flowering...

[hammerman]

As Clanad said, Peppers love it warm. They will produce fruit outside but much prefer a hot greenhouse. I used to close the doors on mine last summer and the temp used to get up to 40 degrees.....best crop of peppers ive ever had.

If the plants aren't growing, are they in a big enough pot ? and are they being fed ? It is still fairly early too...mine don't usually fruit until August

[zabado]

Thanks guys.