Chili-plants remove side shoots
By “pinching out” gardeners mean the breaking out of side shoots on plants. An additional shoot forms between the boot and a branch. This side shoot is removed during the auscultation.
Many chilli growers ask themselves whether cutting back chilli plants makes sense for a better yield. After all, this leads to a juicy and lush harvest for other nightshade plants, such as tomatoes and aubergines. Chillies and tomatoes also have the same origin in America and were cultivated there by Mayas several thousand years ago. Therefore, the consideration is not absurd.
To Pinch out
Useful for tomatoes …
It makes sense to skim or pinching out tomatoes. However, with chili plants can be dispensed with. The reasons why chilies do not need to be planted are the growth habit of the plant and the chilies themselves.
… not necessarily with chilies
The growth habit of chili plants is rather bushy. The bigger the bush, the more chilies can grow on it. Tree tomatoes constantly form new side shoots, which reduce the yield.
The side shoots take a lot of strength from the trunk of the tomato plant. Fructose is branched off from the tomato fruit. This is why the shoots are broken out early on sunny days. This allows the injury to dry out more quickly than on wet days or in the evening. With closed wounds, the risk of fungal attack is lower.
In contrast to tomatoes, chili peppers have less sugar and juice. Chilies are lighter and do not contain as much water in the flesh. A tomato plant must put more energy into a tomato, which also consists mainly of water.
Yield
By auscultation plants are forced to concentrate strength into their fruits. With chilies, almost all growers agree that this is not necessary. Maybe even reduces the possible yield.
Since sweet paprika tastes better and more flesh needs to be moisturized, a sprouted paprika plant can contribute to a better harvest. The best thing to do is to test it yourself on several paprika plants. As an experiment, you may not be able to use some peppers. For others, only remove larger side shoots and, as a third option, a consistent plucking out.
Pruning
If you have had a positive experience on the subject of pruning back peppers, chili peppers or other capsicum varieties, please let us know.
The yield of chili plants can hardly be increased by pruning. Pruning is usually only recommended for wintering. However, the yield of chilies should be increased by cutting off the royal flower.
The first flower that forms in the uppermost branching is called the king flower. It often differs from the later chili flowers. It is smaller and withers quickly if it is not fertilized. If this flower is removed, the chili usually grows more bushy and tries to produce more flowers and fruits.