I tend to leave mine and here's why...
I live far enough north that i have a relatively short grow season compared to many of the growers here
*however i start my seeds early enough that what i am doing may not even be necessary
![Icon Wink ;) ;)](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
I have had multiple years back when i first started growing peppers here in us zone 4 that while i got many peppers on my plants, the cold nights came before they had a chance to ripen
( have since saved my faves and ripened them indoors under HPS lighting. This comes with it's own problems *see Aphids and other pests)
if i get a lot of rain and wind like i did this June
(more wind than rain this late in the year, than last year if I recall correctly)
I just hope that my extras bounce back and any late plants that hadn't even started acclimating yet can be put out, and may even become main plants, rather than late stragglers.
as far as pinching off flowers to grow bigger roots and a larger plant for long term gain
if you have the climate that can handle it and the commitment, then go for it! Trim them girls
but if you have a shorter grow season an don't want to have to bring a bunch of plants indoors (if it is even feasible) I say let em go
you will at the very least get enough peppers to try them and decide if they are even something you want to take the time with the next year
also see my Glog to show how Bonnet-Bell hybrid (
PL) among others
{though Dilapidated due to both weather and our schedules}
was grown to fruit in 6x6" square planter pots
![Icon Smile :) :)](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
indoors under T5 lighting
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/64878-gips-2017-oh-hail-no-glog/page-2
whichever you choose to do, i wish you the best of luck on your grow