How to Cut Peppers Back for Production

When pepper plants are left intact, the excess branches and leaves use energy that could be used for growing fruit. As a result, fruits tend to be smaller and lower quality, with a reduced fruit production in subsequent years.Some gardeners cut young pepper plants down to two stems to increase future fruit production and improve the size and quality of each fruit. Unfortunately, this practice can stress plants grown outdoors in cooler climates, causing the plant to weaken or die in the first frost. Depending on the location of your pepper plant, you can try several strategies to safely increase fruit yield.

Pruning shears
Trellis
Twine

Instructions

- 1
  Allow the pepper plant to grow until it produces 10 to 12 leaves.
- 2
  Select the two strongest, healthiest stems in early spring and prune off all other branches, if growing the pepper plant in a greenhouse or in a southern climate with consistent temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If growing the plant outdoors in a cooler climate, skip to step 5 for safe ways to increase production.
- 3
  Prune lateral branches off of the two main stems after the second leaf node.
- 4
  Wrap twine around the branches and secure them to a trellis. Wrap the twine firmly, but not so tight as to cut into the plant and reduce circulation.
- 5
  Pinch off flower buds to restrict fruit production and conserve plant energy until four leaf axils develop. This practice results in increased, higher quality fruit production later on.
- 6
  Prune off any stems, leaves and branches that are old, diseased or severely infested with insects, as well as stems that cross other stems. Crossing stems can decrease airflow and cause fungus to develop.

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