So, if I have a bed of peppers, each one about 2 feet from each other. How likely will they cross pollinate if I do not aid in the process. I want to harvest seeds from the peppers, but trying to figure out if I want to isolate pods or not. I'm not going to be selling seeds or anything, it will just be for trade and to keep my garden going for years to come.
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breeding How likely will peppers cross unassisted
- Thread starter Physics202
- Start date
i'd say you have a 100% chance of them crossing 50% to get a 25% of desired offspring unless a bear shits in the woods in which case you need to increase to 101%.
(pollenating depends on wind strength, wind direction, bugs, placement, obstacles blah, at 2 feet from each other it's highly likely they will cross, most people say 200ft+ (corn pollen shown to travel a mile in a few minutes in moderate wind))
(pollenating depends on wind strength, wind direction, bugs, placement, obstacles blah, at 2 feet from each other it's highly likely they will cross, most people say 200ft+ (corn pollen shown to travel a mile in a few minutes in moderate wind))
I have always grown peppers next to each other and no crosses that I am aware of. First annums will cross with nearly everything but the other peppers are more fussy and some will only cross with their own kind. If they are not blooming at the same time they won't cross. There should be a chart posted that shows which ones will cross. Most people just don't have the room to separate their peppers. IF peppers cross it will only show up in the seeds that affect next year's crop, not this year's peppers.
If different varieties remain separated by 2 feet when fully grown, chances of a natural cross will be fairly low. If they grow into each other, as plants often do later in the season, you will increase the chances of a natural cross. But even if you get a natural cross, you'd then have to harvest seeds from that particular crossed pod and wait for next year to see the results. To reduce you chances of a natural cross, only take seeds from pods that are most distant from others varieties - some say use the pods near the center of the plant.
My plants end up touching each other toward the end of the season. I try to group similar varieties together but they do mix a bit. In 6 years, I've had one natural cross which in which I preserved the seed and kept it going.
I'm relatively new to intentional crossing, but I've only had about a 25% success rate (many flowers fail to pod).
My plants end up touching each other toward the end of the season. I try to group similar varieties together but they do mix a bit. In 6 years, I've had one natural cross which in which I preserved the seed and kept it going.
I'm relatively new to intentional crossing, but I've only had about a 25% success rate (many flowers fail to pod).
Seems it is debatable. Some are saying they will almost definitely cross, and some say it's not likely. I think I'm going to isolate regardless to be safe. Because they are so close, I plan to use wood glue to close the flowers shut. Does anyone have any other ideas to isolate peppers that are this close to each other?
I mostly grow annuums and chinense and find annuum-annuum crosses common and chinense-chinense common but not annuum-chinense, but they are separated into adjacent groups so most annuums are more than 10' away from the chinense. In other words the greater the distance the lower the cross rate.
I just grow more plants than I needed so I end up with enough of what I wanted and some surprises that don't taste bad either. In other words I end up with a little under 25% crosses with them 3' apart from each other in double rows.
I just grow more plants than I needed so I end up with enough of what I wanted and some surprises that don't taste bad either. In other words I end up with a little under 25% crosses with them 3' apart from each other in double rows.
I was fortunate to receive some OP seed from a few other growers, so far out of around 50 varieties I'm sure there are 3 crosses. Two of those strains I have more than one of and only one of each isn't growing true - primos and cumari do para. Excited for both. If you're harvesting from multiple pods you'll at least increase your chances.
I think as long as you are honest about the seed being OP most growers will be happy with trades, after all you are 100% getting at least part of what you want and it could turn out to be even better. That said, I plan to isolate a few flowers of favourites from this year for my own bank and/or trades as well.
I think as long as you are honest about the seed being OP most growers will be happy with trades, after all you are 100% getting at least part of what you want and it could turn out to be even better. That said, I plan to isolate a few flowers of favourites from this year for my own bank and/or trades as well.
I think the biggest crossing culprit with chinense is likely insects, they don't seem to produce as much pollen. In years past I used panty hose to cover a branch until the flower pollinates and haven't had any issues but this year I decided to build what I"m calling a "seed isolation chamber." It's really just a cage built out of PVC pipe and tulle fabric. The fabric weave is fine enough that it will deter most flying insects although it won't prevent windblown pollen transfer. If crossing with supers was as rampant as some people think we'd have a lot more cool crosses than we do.