Peppers , like many other plant , swear on pollination for successful reproduction . However , unlike some self - pollenate plants , capsicum pepper plant are preponderantly transverse - cross-pollinate , which means that they require pollen from a dissimilar plant to bring forth viable seeds . This cross - pollination can pass off through the transport of pollen by wind , insects , or other means .
When it comes to growing peppers , it is significant to consider the potential for crisscross - pollination , especially if you are develop multiple diverseness or strains of pepper in close propinquity . Cross - pollenation can result in come that dissent from the parent plant life , potentially lead to undesirable trait in future generation . For instance , if you have a sweet bell capsicum pepper plant plant and a hot chile pepper plant growing nearby and they cross - pollinate , the resulting seeds may bring out capsicum with variegate degree of heat , compromise the desire characteristics of each variety .
One effective room to foreclose interbreeding - pollination is by using netting or other strong-arm barriers . Netting can be used to create a barrier between different pepper plants , forestall the transfer of pollen between them . This is particularly important if you are produce heirloom or open - pollinated varieties that you want to preserve true to their original trait .
veiling should be installed before the Madagascar pepper start to flower , as this is when pollination hap . The netting should be ok enough to prevent the entrance of insect like bee , which are the primary pollinators for peppers . However , it should still allow airflow to ensure proper breathing and prevent disease .
Here are a few primal points to regard when using net for pepper plants :
1 . Choose the good veiling : Look for clear with a mesh size of it small enough to keep out bee and other insect , typically around 1/8 inch . There are unlike materials available , such as nylon or polyethylene , so choose one that suits your needs and budget .
2 . add the gauze properly : plug the netting around the margin of your pepper bed or case-by-case plants . ensure it is tightly sealed to foreclose any crack that insects could enter through . you may use stakes or hoops to make a framework for the netting to lie on , ensuring it does n’t come into verbatim contact with the plants .
3 . supervise and exert : Regularly check the netting to ensure there are no bout or holes that could let dirt ball to enter . Keep an eye out for any signs of cross - pollination , such as pepper with unexpected characteristics . If you do note cross - pollenation , it may be necessary to discard the affected plants or take steps to forbid it from happen again in the future .
While netting is an effective method to foreclose hybridization - pollination , it is worth bring up that it may not be necessary in all situations . If you are growing only one multifariousness of pepper or if there are no other compatible pepper industrial plant in the vicinity , the danger of interbreeding - pollination is minimal . However , if you want to ensure the purity of your pepper assortment or if you are raise different strains nigh together , using gauze is a smart precaution .
While pepper do not necessarily take netting , it can be a valuable instrument for preventing cross - pollination and maintaining the desire traits of your pepper plants . By using netting , you could help secure that each pepper plant life produces seeds that are true to their parent plant , allowing you to continue growing your favorite varieties year after year .
Caroline Bates