Rocoto in zone5?

12 years ago

I have a hard time getting rocotos here in central IL. I will start getting peppers just at about the time of the first frost. So i plan to overwinter my rocoto. I have two questions:

1. Should i plant it in the garden so the plant will grow more and then dig it up before the first frost or should i just stick it in a pot from the get go so i can just easily transport it in the house?

2. Ive never overwintered a pepper plant before. How much can i actually cut back a pepper plant? Not even sure how much to cut back a plant. Pictures would be helpful if you have any. I know it will have aphids so i wanting to cut it back as much as possible. Is it better to just try to keep the plant alive (semi hibernation) and let it come out its semi-hibernation state in the spring or is it best to try to get the plant to flourish inside

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Comments (4)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
12 years ago
Hi, there are lots of thread on overwintering here, many with pics.

1. It's really up to you. It might be easier to keep it in a container, since you're going
to be bringing it inside. The only thing to consider is the size of the container. Outside,
you'll want to grow in a larger container - but indoors I find it's best to use a smaller pot
so that the soil dries out sooner and reduces the chance of root-rot. Because of this, you
might want to go down in pot-size at the end of the season, at which point a root-pruning
and a top-pruning can be performed.

2. Without a strong set of grow-lights, it's difficult to keep a pepper plant flourishing.
Aim to keep it healthy and alive...and pest free. Peppers can be cut back extremely hard.

Josh
User
12 years ago
I have the same problem here in Maine. I grow in pots so it's easy to bring inside. I'm fortunate to have a glassed in area off the kitchen but still, as stated above, the goal is survival and an early start next year. I have experimented with radical pruning of the top and roots ( to save space) but now just bring them in and prune when they get shaggy.
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noinwi
12 years ago
I tried to overwinter two last season and either root-pruned them too much or using MG potting mix did them in. They just slowly shriveled and died. This year I'm keeping them in 1gal pots and will do what John does. I don't have as much natural light but table lamps(with compact flo bulbs)ought to keep them alive. They'll just have to usurp a couple of houseplants.
sjetski
12 years ago
For instructions on how to successfully raise and overwinter rocotos, locotos and manzanos, be sure to look up Smokemaster's posts here, and even in other forums he participates in. Pubescens seem to want to be treated differently when grown in containers and overwintering, and even when "potting up" and "potting down".

And here's a forum dedicated to C.Pubescens: http://c2cpeppers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pubescens

Going to attempt the same for 2011/2012. I want my Pubescens to turn into 5ft trees with a longer woody trunk. Still haven't figured out how much i should cut back to accomplish that for 2012. Going to plant mine in 10 gallon styrofoam totes (disposable coolers), hopefully this helps keep them insulated during the summer and winter months. Going to overwinter mine in a windowed garage with a big clear plastic bag draped over the cut-back trunk. I'm hoping to leave about a 3ft trunk with a few branch splits. I still have more research to do however...

Here is a link that might be useful: Pubescens discussion forum

Rocoto in zone5?

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greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

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