Tomatoville® Gardening Forums - View Single Post

Hunt-Grow-Cook · January 23, 2019

I should have been more specific, I was referring to "topping" of plants, a form of pruning. I literally chop them just under the growth tip once they start to stretch and are between 4-6 inches tall. Energy is redirected below the cut, causing more branches to form, more potential bud sites and hopefully a nice secondary growth tip or 'Y' at the top. Aji's in particular can get well over 5ft tall, this keeps that somewhat in check and allows for more lateral growth as opposed to vertical. Probably should mention, not all types will benefit from topping and I do it only as a preference. Plenty of people on both sides of the camp. For me its more for manageability, stability and form/shape of the plants. Increased production may be a side affect, but like I said earlier that's debatable.

http://thehotpepper.com/topic/38705-...g-and-pruning/

Not sure that link will work without being a member, or if its even allowed. A wealth of info on topping and pruning though.

January 23, 2019	#4
Hunt-Grow-Cook Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 360	I should have been more specific, I was referring to "topping" of plants, a form of pruning. I literally chop them just under the growth tip once they start to stretch and are between 4-6 inches tall. Energy is redirected below the cut, causing more branches to form, more potential bud sites and hopefully a nice secondary growth tip or 'Y' at the top. Aji's in particular can get well over 5ft tall, this keeps that somewhat in check and allows for more lateral growth as opposed to vertical. Probably should mention, not all types will benefit from topping and I do it only as a preference. Plenty of people on both sides of the camp. For me its more for manageability, stability and form/shape of the plants. Increased production may be a side affect, but like I said earlier that's debatable. http://thehotpepper.com/topic/38705-...g-and-pruning/ Not sure that link will work without being a member, or if its even allowed. A wealth of info on topping and pruning though.