How to Prune Cayenne Pepper Plants
Cayenne peppers are a favorite of gardeners who love some heat with their peppers. Long, slender and a fiery red when mature, the cayenne is used in Asian and Mexican dishes. Dried and ground into flakes or powder, it's a handy spice to have at the table for adding a little extra heat to a meal. Most cayenne are planted in a garden as an annual that dies at the end of the summer. It can also be kept as a houseplant and wintered through the season with proper pruning. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Snip the lower leaves from mature outdoor plants. This reduces the opportunity for soil-based fungus to infect the leaves and allows for greater air circulation through the garden.
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Pinch off the remaining flowers about four to six weeks before the first frost. Prune back any branches that do not have fruit. This forces the pepper plant to give all its attention to the fruit and ensures they will become mature before the frost.
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Cut back an indoor cayenne pepper plant to about 3 to 4 inches in late fall. They will grow back with new vigor if the proper potting medium, nutrition and water are provided.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wash your hands and cutting tools before and after pruning garden plants.
References
Resources
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