Info on Pepper Plant

[Amowat]

I have a pepper plant in the greenhouse which is just starting to flower. Can anyone tell me should I remove the shoots that grow between the stems like you do with tomato plants. Also I have noticed that the main stem is turning blue/black in places. Is this normal? Any tips/help would be gratefully received.

[helenwyler]

I've had chili plants for the last few years Amowat, and the purple/black areas on the stem are normal on these. I don't remove the side shoots (wasn't told to by the guy I buy them from), and they've done very well....so far :).

[gardeninginagale]

Don't remove the sideshoots, just let it bush out as nature intended. And I agree that the blue/black is normal. However, the pepper family is huge, so advice for one is not necessarily advice for all. The one common factor, though, is that we need a long, hot sunny summer for peppers to be really productive.