You can let it grow this season without topping it but next season you can top it at the height you intend to keep it. If you're concerned that it won't form branches below the current top you can take off about six inches from the top at about tight cluster to bloom. This will encourage lower branching, but you'll want about 4' between tier scaffolds that are similarly oriented direction-wise, unless it's on something less vigorous than M7.

Hi Westcoastj - My pepper crop here in the Seattle area is looking great so far. Much will depend on whether we have a rain-free August or not. A little rain would be nice, but too much will cause disease. I forget what the disease I get in the fall is - I think its Phytophothora. It causes upper leaves and branches to turn black and die back, and then some fruit die also. I've got my fingers crossed that doesn't happen too soon. I have 64 plants of about 38 varieties this year. I'm big on Italian sweet peppers and have 'Corno Di Toro', Giant Marconi', 'Atris', 'Palladio' and Jimmy Nardello'. These are all loaded with fruit this year. Nothing red (or yellow in Palladio's case) yet. I also have about 5-6 Thai or Chinese hot peppers which are all setting fruit. They're fairly long season so I will need at least a month, and better two, for good ripe fruit. I have Kung Pao, Orange Thai, Orange Fogo, Red Demon and Thai Dragon growing. Other than that I have a variety of Jalapenos (3 kinds), Poblano/Anchos (4 kinds), Pasilla, Pimiento (2 types), Paprika Supreme, Spanish Spice, Key West Cubanelle, etc. I'm impressed your habaneros are doing so well. Mine have just barely set fruit. Its barely even visible through the faded flower petals. This is despite starting them in a greenhouse and having a warm summer so far. Good luck with your pepper efforts!

The only time I've seen them fledge completely I did notice signs. The parent birds kept landing on the housing with food, but would not give it to the young. They appeared to be enticing them out, landing at the entrance, then quickly moving up to the roof of the house. I thought it looked like they were trying to encourage them out, so I sat and watched with binoculars and sure enough, I got to witness all five fledge. Hopefully you'll see some sign of it. Most of the time I miss it because they fledge too early in the morning, too late at night, or when I'm at work. I sure hope you get to witness it. It is really fun.

Just because your oranges are orange doesn’t mean they are ripe! When growing citrus, tasting the fruit is the only sure way to know its ripe.