Staking Pepper Plants - How To Support Peppers - Pepper Geek

Staking peppers is important to prevent wind damage. As the pepper plants grow taller, they become more susceptible to strong winds. Broken branches and even knocked over plants are possible if you don't provide a sturdy stake.
Also, attaching the plant to the stake at multiple points is important to ensure that each part of the plant has the support it needs. As your plants begin to fruit, the peppers can weigh on the branches, potentially causing damage if left unsupported.
So in this video, we show our simple method for staking peppers and discuss the various pepper species and how they need to be supported.
Chinense peppers require the most support, especially when grown in large pots. They can be huge and bushy with many large branches, benefiting from a tomato-cage-like support system.
Annuum peppers usually need just one central stake, while baccatum and pubescens grow tall and slender, requiring a tall, central stake for support.
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Products (affiliate links):
Velcro:
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Bamboo stakes (large):
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Read more on staking:
peppergeek.com/staking-pepper...
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#peppers #gardening #tips #staking

[@flyindonkeyodoom]

Thanks for the video Calvin!! Pumped for the bottom pruning video.

[@ijazh6790]

My chilli plant only has one fork and is about 3 foot tall. I used a single stake and used plant ties (the twist type). At the moment it has about 40 peppers growing. I've had a small harvest already taking off 12 large peppers. Thanks to this channel I learnt about pollination and how to water the plant. I saw on another KZbin channel of someone cutting the top of the plant forcing the plant grow sideways and bushy so to do away for the need for staking.

[@princessmarshmallo8595]

this is my first year growing peppers - purple beauty - and i feel like i understand what i should be doing now!! 🖤 thank you

[@tellyarce2432]

I could listen to you all day! So much valuable info thank you!

[@PepperGeek]

I’m glad you enjoy ☺️

[@Jardin-de-invierno]

Love the video. So much learning every year.

[@louisianaprepper13]

I like the 4 ft bamboo canes. You get multiple years use and they’re durable for the peppers. My cayennes tend to get multiple branches so multiple stakes suffice. Velcro is a good idea. I normally use nylon ties wrapped loosely or sometimes clips. Ty

[@nils5471]

Really appreciate this video, one comment: 1:54 i really recommend learning the "constrictor knot" for tying it to the stake.

[@davidniemi6553]

I independently just started using bamboo skewers earlier this year to support small pepper and tomato plants (left over from Thai food!). Very flexible and easy to use without damaging small plants. They are especially needed right when plants first go outside and when there is heavy rain or wind. Two other things I use on larger plants: 1) metal wire plant supports, these usually have a green coating and come in various lengths up to 30" high. These are great for peppers that only need a little bit of help. I also tried making my own smaller ones out of steel wire I had lying around, but found the bamboo skewers are better for small plants and easier to remove and move around. 2) biodegradable tomato clips from Fedco Organic Growers Supply (and many other sources). These are easy to clip on and take off and move, last several years, and are good for both large pepper plants and tomatoes as long as your stake has a diameter of 1/2" or smaller.

[@ObsessiveAboutCats]

Exactly what I needed to know, thank you

[@ZisoRegondo]

Fantastic work as always Calvin - I’m hooked on this channel and my peppers have come on massively with your easy tips and tricks!

[@PepperGeek]

🥰 Glad to be helpful!

[@ZisoRegondo]

@@PepperGeek Haha it’s epic! I’ve got flowers coming through; I’m tapping away at the main stem every day to encourage the pollination and I expect peppers ABOUND soon 😁 🫑 🌶

[@Aaron-mn8gw]

Just the info I've been looking for!

[@greatcolor]

The velcro is clutch, never going back to anything else

[@dannguyen2791]

Thanks Calvin, another great video,!

[@PepperGeek]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@borracho-joe7255]

Thanks for the info! I use small tomato cages for my peppers and it works well, but the bamboo skewers work well too!

[@PepperGeek]

Sure thing! Yeah I like the tomato cages for bushier peppers

[@VeggiePHARMing]

Good info! Thanks for the tips!

[@PepperGeek]

You bet! :)

[@ineedstuff8286]

YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!... omg i am ecstatic!!!!.. today was the day i could no longer go on w/ defeat. My broccoli plants are such a pain with their top-heavy nature. This is my second year growing anything, and these r most difficult for me. I thought a velcro would be perfect... but would regular velcro work?.. i chose this video, and BOOM... the plant velcro!!!. thank you SOOOO much!

[@PepperGeek]

Yay! glad we could help

[@rapinbatches]

I go hoop cage once they are big enough. Bamboo skewers before that. I find i get stronger stems. Especially living in South Louisiana where it gets very windy.

[@DivaGardening]

Great video friends

[@PepperGeek]

Thank you 🤗

[@maryzwierecki3304]

Hey, I use bamboo skewers too!

[@broadside8326]

at 2:51......what a nice plant☝🏾 we had the second warm sunny day after months of cloudy cold rainy days🤮 my topped plants picked up in growth and sideshootings are coming out of the stems now....🥰 nutrients should be plenty for the next weeks.... i just hope the weather stays warm now here in mid germany. i dont have to stake mine yet,the wind made the mainstems strong enough,as of now.

[@PepperGeek]

Thanks! Nice, we're in a cold-spell now with rain, should be ending in a day or two. Good luck with your plants!

[@broadside8326]

@@PepperGeek thank you,same goes out to your garden🤝🏾

[@busa89]

This should help out for my scotch bonnet. I didn’t pitch the plant off last year and it grew hella wild and huge. This time around I pitched so hopefully it’s shorter and bushier. But I know I’ll need to stake as they produce a lot of peppers.

[@DustyNonya]

I love baccatum plants. The first year I grew them I was terrified my Brazilian Starfish would get killed by the unpredictable wind gusts in our valley (bridge of two climate zones, 6a and 7)...until I realized the plant would just lay down! Quickly became one of my favorites for bucking our wind. Meanwhile my Reaper (chinense) plant broke even with a trellis and a thick bamboo stake...but it'd been fed entirely too much nitrogen at the nursery so it ended up super top heavy. Dig the video :D

[@PepperGeek]

Nice, yeah I'd like to try training a baccatum plant to grow in an unconventional way, like sideways or up a pergola (with peppers dangling down from above). Thanks for watching!

[@DustyNonya]

@@PepperGeek No problem. I imagine they would work well for it...mine ended up relatively bushy from the wind but they would just pop right back up after a storm. They're more sturdy than I would've ever given them credit for.

[@mytech6779]

I've only ever needed to stake C annuum and that was due to fruit weight. But I tend to plant them deep and high winds are rare here.

[@ebfromwyoming4118]

thk u sir

[@0xb1_]

Oooh new video nice!

[@PepperGeek]

:)

[@0xb1_]

@@PepperGeek you guys are legends

[@kingjames4886]

I've only ever really needed to stake peppers when I first put them outside sometimes, generally just tall varieties like seranos. I'd argue staking things doesn't give the stem a chance to properly strengthen in lighter winds so when you get a heavy wind it destroys it. also plant a tree or a hedge or build a fence or plant more sturdy things around it or add some other sort of wind-break if you have problems with heavy wind.

[@ska042]

2 years late, but I figured as a note for other readers: The problem where stems don't get strong because of the stake happens if the plant is attached overly rigidly to the stake. There needs to be enough room for the plant to sway in the wind, the stake should just catch it from leaning over dangerously far. If it's attached like that, the natural process of the stems getting sturdier will still happen.

[@blasermann1994]

My solid gold ghost was the slowest one to start but now it's doing very well. I've got them at 18" hopefully that's not to close.

[@PepperGeek]

Nice! I'm super excited for that variety

[@philippanuda]

I really needed this video! ❤️ My pepper's starting to lean a bit

[@BlackJesus8463]

At least you don't have rabbit problems! lol

[@0xb1_]

@@BlackJesus8463 Im lucky i have a high wall where no animals can reach

[@BlackJesus8463]

@@0xb1_ I want a greenhouse so bad.

[@0xb1_]

@@BlackJesus8463 Same lol

[@Manualv12sonly]

Is it possible to have 2 of them grow together and support each other? If so, what would happen if you transplant them together and let them grow old together?

[@henkschins]

Love your videos. I got a jalopeño plant from a friend and all the questions I have you have answered. Just a quick question, is it too late to start some new seeds? Would love to grow more seeing how good this one is doing. I live in a zone 6A.

[@PepperGeek]

Thanks! You should be able to get a smaller plant to produce - I would plant annuum varieties, as they tend to germinate and grow/produce more quickly. You could also constrain the plant to a smaller pot (1-2 gallons max) to encourage earlier fruiting.

[@valamaas]

You can also trigger fruiting by giving morning sun and afternoon shade. The plant thinks winter is coming (and you could be in the middle of summer). This makes the plant flower.

[@adnelyngstadnilsen5500]

If I don't have a garden, do I need to stake my chilli plants? Mostly annuum, but some chinense varieties too

[@Boleyn1895]

When you attach string/velcro just above a leaf stem what happens when the plant continues to grow, surely it would break the stem?

[@averagejoegrows]

what would you diagnose crinkly leaves ?

[@PepperGeek]

Crinkly leaves (brittle/crunchy) are usually caused by sun scald. If they are curled but not brittle, check out our video on curling pepper leaves: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn6ymYiehJ11p9E

[@rossvogt4884]

So what would your solution be for overwintered jalapeno plants, I cut back to the first y bend, and the plants have grown super long skinny branches off the sides?

[@PepperGeek]

Not sure, but it sounds like staking could help keep it supported until it is stronger

[@maryzwierecki3304]

What size container do you recommend for hot cherry peppers, jalapeños or bell

[@PepperGeek]

3-5 gallon pots are ideal, (10-12" diameter at the top). You can get away with smaller for jalapenos or cherries, but I'd go slightly bigger for the bell

[@mike.the.estimator704]

How do you the cloth pots like you have your larger plant in on this video? I have been thinking of buying these bags in bulk but have been hesitant since I'm use to traditional pots or ground/planters.

[@LuckyStrike-ov9cd]

Very informative article I'm new to gardening I started planting tomatoes and peppers this year I grew them indoors and they were doing so good once I planted them outside they just stopped growing Ive been feeding them with organic firtelizer nothing is helping anyone any ideas would appreciate it

[@PepperGeek]

Give them some time to adjust to the new soil and environment. Sometimes our plants will appear to be 'stunted' for 2 weeks or more after moving outside, but the root system is just getting established underground.

[@Belta-kw2bm]

but also this all depends on what climate you are in and which part of the world. Im in north England and the weather gets a bit rought a lot of the time

[@darylalonzo6348]

Hello Sir... Using 104 seed tray are good for Carolina reaper... Psss help me...

[@kyramccarthy2405]

Question, I bought a Dragon Roll pepper plant in a 4.5inch container. It's been watered, fertilized and grown in a greenhouse until I purchased it (I work at the greenhouse and planted it so I know it was well taken care of) but it had been tipping over like it's top heavy, is there an issue or is it just getting too tall?

[@anpanek]

Have you looked into the Mighty Crop?

[@PepperGeek]

Just did, seems pretty cool!

[@BigGymLad]

Hi guys I'm looking for a bit of advice. I'm currently growing some habaneros and they're doing well but I recently noticed one had small black spots on the leaves, mainly on the tip and edges. I've separated it from the others and I think it could be some kind of fungus. Should I get fungicide or some other treatment would appreciate any help

[@PepperGeek]

Hmm..if they are on the edges of the plant, it is possible that the plant has too much nitrogen. If this is unlikely, then disease is possible. Keep airflow good and consider bottom pruning - we have a vid coming out about this topic soon

[@carlbreeden9074]

Is there a miniature hot pepper variety? Fast growing season...this will be for a replacement in a bed where Im at the end of my lettuce cycle and looking for something tho plant. to clarify....Im looking for a dwarf plant stature wise...not a miniature fruit...Thanks

[@PepperGeek]

Many of the annuum varieties grow pretty small, like the Bulgarian carrot, fish pepper, etc. Not sure of any that are specifically “dwarf” varieties like with tomatoes

[@nunyabisnass1141]

Somehow i have insanely thick and sturdy stems and branches, and thoigh its been fairly windy for a summer i dont fear they'll have any problems unless we get a hail storm, which is rare in itself around here. Now the bell peppers yes we have to tie those off. They're just way too big.

[@alya4064]

Hi, do peppers need a stick twice as long?! What is the right length for a pepper stick?!

[@PepperGeek]

It can actually be pretty short for most plants. However, some varieties do make lots of branches that can also get heavy, requiring further staking

[@ralofwow2773]

I have cut a small pice of the main stick. My peperoni plant still is very small, but i have an emotional care for it. Is there any way to let it grow higher again, or did i just destroy it ? :(

[@ProwlersPit]

Any question for you I'm still growing a couple plants indoors with a grow light. They're jalapeno plants a few leaves on top will turn away quickly. What the rest of the leaves around it are fine. Just kind of curious why that would happen.

[@ska042]

Sounds like they're getting too close to the light and the top leaves are experiencing light stress.

[@unknown00truth]

Hi I live in the Central Valley of California I've have about a hundred plants on the ground pepper plants just a quick question how often should I water my plants in 95 to 110 degrees weather 🤔 we're currently at heatwave

[@PepperGeek]

If they are in the ground they should be able to last a few days, but I would keep an eye on them! Our potted plants need to be watered daily when it is in the 100s. Mulch can help, especially in-ground plants

[@danielmason260]

I noticed that on the 1st pepper plant (with the string) that you tied the plant just above the smaller limb. Now my question is , when the plant grows wouldnt it break the limb above it? The 2nd one with the velcro you tied below the limb. That seems a better way to me.

[@PepperGeek]

It usually doesn't, but it is easy to adjust if it looks like the stake is causing problems

[@carlbreeden9074]

I like using fish emulsion for my plants. In my raised garden it is completely caged in so no animals can get to it when they smell that fertilizer. But in my potted pepper plants I can’t do that because of the local raccoon population. What other type of water soluble fertilizer do you recommend for all pepper plants? Thanks

[@PepperGeek]

The Miracle-gro Organics granulated fertilizers are water soluble and work well

[@kimokahikolekalihi]

8 ft? Wow. I'm doing something wrong here in western Washington. Don't know what it is but I grew lots of peppers last year and they only got about 1 ft high.

[@wesmcfadden9860]

I just transplanted all my plants, only one I had issues with was my purple ghost. The root ball completely fell apart when I took it from the solo cup to its 1 gal pot. Didn't really worry about it until I noticed its not very stable, will staking it help or is it too far gone now?

[@PepperGeek]

You never know - the roots have a way of recovering from trauma, just give it some time and don't feed too many nutrients until it looks better

[@wesmcfadden9860]

@@PepperGeek the plant looks great just wasn't standing straight up, I steaked it and will keep a close eye on it in the next few weeks! Thanks!

[@lucphinney]

When you say 8' stake do you mean bamboo or a t-post? Seems like bamboo would be pretty flimsy at that length, unless you went up to 1/2" dia. ... Also, tomato clips work well in place of string, can easily be unclipped and relocated as the plant grows.

[@PepperGeek]

Good suggestion. For the 8' stake, we have tall metal/plastic reinforced stakes from home depot. They are 3/4" diameter and should last a long time

[@lucphinney]

@@PepperGeekThat does sound robust. Thanks. Don't think it's in my budget this year, will just have to see how my baccatums do. Have you had any issues with grow bags tipping over later in season?

[@dragonguise]

I grow in a DIY hoop house. What is the maximum temperature that pepper plants can tolerate before harm?

[@PepperGeek]

It depends on the variety. Some like it cooler, like rocotos, while others have been bred to handle higher heat and less rain, like some New Mexico varieties. We've seen many of our plants handle 100°F heat for several days, though it can impact flower/fruit production

[@dragonguise]

I grow Scotch Bonnets, Bhut, 7 pots, and some Aji varieties.

[@aussiebigbudz1254]

im growing bell peppers and jalapenos i started on march 22nd... i can grow outdoors till september 10th ish..... u think i can plant all out in the garden or will i not have time to get peppers...pls help me anyone i need some advice ... i have lots videos on my channel if u want a look the dates r accurate

[@codybevans4231]

This is my first grow so sorry if this is a stupid question. Does it not restrict growth by tying above a set of leaves? I have a couple serranos and red thais I'm gonna have to stake in there 5' pots.

[@ska042]

No, as the plants grow they mostly add new nodes at the top, the existing nodes/forks pretty much stay where they are.

[@johnadams7701]

Is your ebook, Growing Perfect Peppers available in a printed form?

[@PepperGeek]

Unfortunately it is not

[@ytho7618]

🙏😎

[@meggo329]

My ghost Peppers haven't grown I'm getting concerned. I got some tomatoes /pepper plant food and worked it he gently into the soil. 🤞🙏 The nights have been cool and there was that may 28 when I woke up to it snowing.

[@PepperGeek]

Oof snow?! We had some cold weather but no snow..good luck!

[@brentlygill3534]

at 2:05 you explain that baccatum grow 8 to 10 feet tall. Not that many baccatum varieties which ones grows even close to 8ft let alone 10ft?

[@PepperGeek]

We don't have ideal conditions for them, but if you train them and have a long enough season, most can grow at least that tall. Here is a pic of Jukka Fatalii with some of his Aji Cristal plants: instagram.com/p/CVFMCcVozNN/?hl=en

[@Spencer_Plant_Projects]

thanks for reminding me, I got burned by this last year. I

[@rachelk4805]

How are your pepper plants so big? Why are mine so small... Idk how to fix it. 🥺

[@PepperGeek]

Hmm, that big plant I showed was planted March 1, and was transplanted twice at the perfect time so there was no interruption to the growth. Also, indoor grow lights & organic fertilizer are key!

[@valamaas]

Chemical fertilizer. Ph 5.5 to 6.5. Half strength and watered slowly to soak till a little bit of run off. Always remove runoff from the tray and give run off to other plants like citrus. Water / feed the root zone. Use the water and dry method to force roots to grow. Once roots are grown, water/feed to keep moist in a well drained (perlite mix). You dont need to dry out anymore because you have drainage (roots have oxygen). Increase to 3/4 strength weekly ferts with plant size. Switch to higher phosphorus/potassium once fruiting. Chemical ferts are the same as bacteria producing the same stuff from organic. Its just how you responsibly use this concentrated mix vs waiting for bacteria to make.

[@royhughes1331]

Wait..... What??????... Hold up for a sec. "chinenz" pepper? how do you spell that so I can look it up? Can you please list the peppers you talk about in your "show more" section below? I am new to growing hot peppers and want to learn from you. thanks!!

[@PepperGeek]

It is spelled "Capsicum chinense" and the species is home to the ghost pepper, habanero, scotch bonnet, and many other superhot varieties. We have a video about the 5 species here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKXWmqh3bKqHmpo

[@royhughes1331]

@@PepperGeek THANK YOU so much!!! I'm linking to it now to watch it!!!

[@ottoman4r]

How do you stop peppers from cross breeding?

[@valamaas]

Find an unopen flower and place a small zip lock bag carefully over it. Zip. You may remove leaves and adjacent open flowers. Once the flower opens, a shake can self pollinate. Position the bags so they dont fill with rain water and have shade so the flower doesn't bake.

[@ottoman4r]

Hi @@valamaas , thank you for your answer. When I place the peppers in the sun, doesn't a zip lock bag increase the heet? Is it still advised to do it like that. (1) I thought about putting a net around the pepper plant were insects can't enter. or (2) to kill some of the young peppers so I don't have the same breed and the problem is gone. Much appreciated. Cheers, Alexander

[@valamaas]

@@ottoman4r zip lock bags. Just do 1 or 2 per plant. Fruit/flower fails? , move to another flower of the same plant. Success, mark the fruit with string tie and still move the bag to another flower for another go. Dont worry about the sun too much (im in Australia). Just move the bags on the same plant as you go. Don't reuse the bags on another plant. Hence using only 1 or 2 bags per plant. You can use cloth bags to stop insects. Or cover the whole plant. Wind can polinate but normally the plant will self polinate. I found a bag i missed. It was full of water and had a perfect fruit stretching inside. (it pollinated itself). It was funny to see. I use small zip lock bags 5cm x 7cm. You will get seeds 15 to 50 per fruit. Pleasure to help you.

[@Mike-Eye]

📸📸📸

[@muffemod]

4:47 YO WTF! Why is the background blurred out?

[@VillagransPitStop]

I use chopsticks 😂