Harvest the bell peppers literally anytime you want to. I harvested one that was not quite 2 inches because it had a small amount of sun scorch. I cut out the scorched part and added the rest of the pepper to my dinner and it was great. If you let it grow it will eventually turn red or yellow depending on variety. I don't trim my pepper plants.

Yes you can, and however much you want. I believe air-layering is the usual recommendation, but if you're not interested in propagating the plant, all you have to do is saw through it. New growth will emerge -- eventually -- from the new top of the cane, though until it gets itself back up to speed, the plant will use water much more slowly than you're used to, so you will have to be sure to cut back on water. Getting the plant in as bright a light as you can manage, up to and including dappled or filtered sun, may speed the process up. (Also, if you're not interested in propagating it, consider offering all or part of the old top of the plant for trade or postage on the exchange page. Dracaena canes aren't just falling out of trucks, you know.) If you *are* interested in propagating it, either air-layer, which is probably better in the long run but might be a long wait (around 8 weeks), or cut the top completely off the plant and then use it to create stem and cane cuttings. It's also not out of the realm of possibility that sticking the top directly into water and waiting might result in your plant rooting in water, though there's more of a risk of losing the top that way. In any case, the base will, again, generate new growth on its own, but you have to watch out for overwatering and get it in bright light if you can. Cane cuttings: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8700.html http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/houseplants/propagation_cuttings.html Air layering: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/houseplants/propagation_airlayer.html http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/ornamentals/airlayer/airlayer.html

I do think it is a Bromeliad. Did not know them to grow out side. Location, location ,location and you are way down there. The plant may be in a protected area. Their flowers are known (on that variety) to come out and as weeks go by - droop. You can see a different variety in grocery stores etc., with a a long single spike flower straight up. Some have purple leaves. I would go with the computer to see the different ones and maybe add more cousins to buddy with this one. Oh, by the way, I known a guy that WILL NOT have an orange flowering plant in his yard. ME ? , I love them all - never - found a trash plant yet. I do have a hit list tho. All in all you are having fun....you will learn where those water pipes are as you go. Don't forget your field lines and septic( if you have one) when planting those trees. Take a hammock break when needed. Your pictures are great.

Sure cutting them back will make them branch out.