Planting Sweet Peppers with Hot Peppers

[Tommy Ryan]

Is there any problem with planting sweet peppers right next to hot peppers. I know that it could be a problem when collecting seeds, but I will not be collecting seeds. I just do not want to effect the taste of the fruit on the plant. I think the fruit of that year is fine, but the seed could be effected.

If I do need space between varieties of peppers, then how much space.

[charles]

Tommy you have answered it – only the seeds are affected by cross pollination.
Fruits of each variety stay distinct and true, the same as when you grow two varieties of squash together.

[Tommy Ryan]

Thanks Charles! I was thinking that was so. I did go through the forum and noticed a similar topic on squash, but did see some discussion on the impact of cross pollination on corn. Is corn the only crop that needs distance between varieties?

[charles]

Corn is the main veg where (a) our crop is the seed and (b) cross pollination happens readily. It could be an issue with some beans though I find that rare.

[Tommy Ryan]

Thanks Charles. That will help with my garden planning. I always wondered about this and was not sure about experiences where peppers were hotter than expected when planted near hotter varieties. One year I planted a scotch bonnet (habanero) next to a jalapeño and I thought it was the hottest jalapeño I ever grew (so it “planted a seed” in my mind that cross pollination could effect the taste of the fruit). Good to get that cleared up.

[Author]

Posts