In most cases, it is recommended to pick early flower buds when the plant is not yet fully mature and ready to produce pods. By doing so, the plant can allocate its energy towards producing more leaves, roots, and shoots, which helps it grow larger and potentially yield better results.
When pruning, it is advisable to use your fingers to pinch away the buds or use a pair of pruning shears or sharp scissors. Using clean tools can help prevent the introduction of diseases if there are bacteria on your hands.
After the pepper plants have been in their final outdoor location for about two to four weeks, it is generally advised to stop picking the flowers. This period allows the plants to acclimate to the outdoor environment, including exposure to full sun, wind, rain, and other elements.
However, there are a couple of scenarios where you may want to refrain from pruning.
Cold Climate
If you reside in a very cold climate with a shorter outdoor growing season, it might be best to let the pepper plants follow their natural growth pattern and produce whatever peppers they can within the limited season.
Super Hot Varieties
Some super hot pepper varieties, such as rocoto peppers and certain baccatum varieties, tend to take a longer time to produce ripe pods. If you are growing these types of peppers and their ripening duration is lengthy, it is advisable to allow the plant to naturally produce the peppers without removing them prematurely.
Consider the specific characteristics of your pepper plants, the climate you are in, and the variety you are growing when deciding whether to continue pruning or let the plants develop naturally.
