I hav been growing my peppers indoors due to the wether change and i started them a little late in the year but now they have little red bugs on the flowers and leaves. They are not eating the flowers but they are eating the leaves. Also they havent caused any major damage but i am afraid if i let them continue to stay then they will destroy my plants. What can i do to get rid of them?

Hi Dee – It will depend on whether the banana peppers you are growing are heirloom (open pollinated) or hybrid varieties. If they are heirloom you can save the seed by freezing. Generally, freezing the seeds is used for long term storage – like 5 – 7 years. If you plan on using them next season then storing them in a brown envelope or similar container in the refrigerator should be fine. You can still freeze them if you prefer.

If it is a hybrid variety then there’s really no point in saving the seeds because they may not even germinate and if they do the seedling will not grow to be exactly like the parent plant.

I hope this answers your question.

Hi Dee – Wasps can be beneficial towards pollination, but bees are the most efficient.

Also, can you freeze just the seeds to use for planting next spring? If so, what’s best method?

I notice red wasps all over my 4-5 banana pepper plants in the heat of Mississippi afternoons. Are they polinating? They are the only insect I seem to see on them.

Hi Lynda – Yes, you can freeze banana peppers. Cut off the tops and clean out the seeds and membrane from the inside, then blanch the hollowed peppers before freezing.

can u freeze banana peppers?

Hi Nancy – I’m not sure why the banana peppers are growing up. Some peppers, like Tabasco, do grow up but I’ve never seen a banana pepper do that. I don’t think it will hurt the plant though. Very interesting!

Pepper plants self-pollinate, but what I like to do to help them along is to slightly flick the bottom of the plant when the plant is pollinating. By flicking or doing a slight shake, it seems to help the pollen dust the flower.

We have seen in a friend’s garden a banana pepper plant with the peppers growing up rather than hanging down. Have you ever seen this and what is the reason for this?