The four pepper plants in the terra cotta pot and the four in the ground are from the same seed lot. The ones in the ground have lousy soil and possibly no fertilizer but more sun than the potted ones. They have more blossoms and fruits forming earlier than the potted ones which only started flowering when they were moved to a sunnier location. The potted ones are in a well-fertilized potting mix. Ground plants are about 4” tall. Potted plants are about a foot tall.

Maybe the ones in the ground think their lives are short and are racing to reproduce before they die.

I have seen this many times. Sometimes I think that less is more.

MissS wrote: ↑Thu Jul 21, 2022 10:29 am I have seen this many times. Sometimes I think that less is more.

I think you're right. There is probably some sweet spot in the middle where I can get big beautiful plants and lots of pretty peps.