Growing banana peppers requires plenty of sun, warm soil, and a long growing season. Starting them from transplants is how to grow a banana pepper in all but the warmest zones. There are many types of banana pepper. These fruits are found in either sweet or hot pepper varieties and are harvested when yellow, orange, or even red. Choose the heat level you like and harvest the fruit early for the most pungent flavor or later for a mellow, sweeter flavor.
Types of Banana Pepper
Banana peppers are long, slender fruits with waxy skin and minimal seeds. Use them as an appetizer or sliced on a sandwich. While there are different types of banana peppers that can be grown in the home garden, the Sweet Banana is the most common of the banana peppers. Banana peppers are ready for harvest in about 70 days after transplant, but the hot variety of banana pepper needs a longer growing season. Pick a variety that reflects your taste when growing banana peppers.
How to Grow a Banana Pepper
Start the seeds indoors at least 40 days before you wish to plant the peppers outdoors. Sow them under a light dusting of soil in peat pots and transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and when soil temperatures warm to 60 degrees F. (16 C.). Place the plants in well-drained soil where the plants receive at least eight hours of sunlight per day.
Caring for Banana Pepper Plants
Caring for banana pepper plants is not difficult but a little TLC will increase your yield and the size of the fruits. Fertilize banana pepper plants after fruit begins to set with a 12-12-12 food. Pull competitive weeds and keep the soil evenly damp. Use mulch around the plants to help conserve moisture and keep weed populations down. Watch for signs of disease or insect injury. The most common insects are aphids, flea beetles, thrips, cutworms, and whitefly. The flying insects are controlled with a horticultural soap spray. Repel cutworms by using a collar from a toilet paper roll around tender young plants. Most diseases are prevented by reducing overhead watering, proper soil preparation prior to planting, and disease resistant seeds from reputable growers.
Best Time to Harvest Banana Peppers
The best time to harvest banana peppers is when they are full sized and have firm skins. You can take them off the plant when they are yellow or wait until they mature to a deep orange or even red. Growing banana peppers begin to slow their production when temperatures at night cool. Cut off individual fruits as you need them. When the season comes to an end, pull the entire plant and hang it to dry. Keep fresh fruits in the crisper or a cool, dark location for up to a week.
Banana Pepper Uses
Banana peppers pickle or can well if you can't use the fruits within a week. You can also roast them and freeze for later use. Banana peppers are delicious used in sauces, relishes, or raw on salads and sandwiches. String the peppers up and let them dry in a cool location or slice them lengthwise, remove the seeds, and dry them in a dehydrator or a low oven. Banana peppers are a versatile and fun to grow fruit that provide a flavor punch and plenty of Vitamins A and C.
-
Should You Really Move Houseplants Outdoors In Summer? Learn The Truth To Help Them ThriveMany of us move houseplants outside during the summer months. Explore the benefits and how to best care for houseplants outdoors so they flourish.
-
Best Climbing Roses For Every Garden: 12 Stunning Varieties For Pergolas, Arches & WallsDiscover the best climbing roses to plant in your garden to ensure a long summer of glorious blooms.
-
Can You Eat Banana Peels? Edible Uses Of Banana SkinCan you eat banana peels? Learn how to prepare them for food, fertilizer and even a cleaning compound.
-
Japanese Banana Plant – Caring For A Musa Basjoo Hardy Banana VarietyThe Japanese banana plant lends that tropical island flair to gardens as far north as zone 5. If that sounds too good to be true, read on!
-
Banana Tree Fruit Issues: Why Do Banana Trees Die After FruitingBanana trees not only are beautiful tropical specimens, but most of them bear edible banana tree fruit. If you have ever seen or grown banana plants then you may have noticed banana trees dying after bearing fruit. Click this article to learn more.
-
History Of Banana Melons -
Growing Ornamental Bananas – How To Grow A Red Banana PlantThere are many types of banana which produce copious amounts of fruit. But did you know there are also various types of the ornamental red banana plant too, specifically grown for their attractive red foliage color? Learn more about them here.
-
Thai Banana Fruit – How To Grow Thai Banana TreesIn Thailand, bananas are everywhere and synonymous with the tropical region they thrive in. If you're yearning to introduce a more tropical look to your landscape, try growing Thai bananas. What are Thai bananas? Click here to find out about Thai banana care.
-
Common Diseases Of Banana: What Causes Black Spots On Banana FruitBanana plants are prone to a number of diseases, many of which result in black spots on banana fruit. What causes black spot disease in bananas and are there any methods for treating black spots on banana fruit? Click this article to learn more.
-
Banana Tree Problems: What Causes Bananas With Cracked SkinIt takes some work to grow bananas and, even so, they are susceptible to their share of diseases and other banana tree problems. One such issue is bananas with cracked skin. Why do bananas split on the bunch? Find out about banana fruit cracking here.
