Peppers, pollination

This year my organic hot pepper garden will be 8x8, planning on planting 6 rows, each a separate variety in that space. My question is, do I ever need to worry about cross-pollination ? I have come across text that says the Bhut Jolokia will cross pollinate.

My varieties will be:
Datil
Cayenne
Bhut Jolokia
Orange/Yellow Manzana
Bishops Hat
Paprika

Anyone have insight, suggestions?

If you are planning on saving seeds, yes there is the danger of cross pollination. If you are just growing for edible fruits, no problem. Peppers are self fertile, so the dangers of cross pollination are lower than with the insect pollinated Cucurbits. If you do wish to save seed you could always bag the buds for the seed peppers.

Hey, Farmerdill!
I Winter Sowed seeds for Emerald Giant and King of the North Bell Peppers on January 9th and they've sprouted already, with NO bottom heat! They're in one-gallon milk jugs on my light shelf. I intended on putting them outside with the rest of the WSing jugs, buy I'm not sure that's a good idea.

I wasn't expecting germination so soon. Our last frost date isn't until February 15th or so. What should I do with these seedlings until then? They're all from fresh seeds I just bought. Don't wanna lose them and have'ta go buy seedlings!

Thanks!

Linda

You could try a cold frame. You just have to becareful to slowly expose to cold and sun. In other words you are going to have to harden them off. You may be able to do this by taking the whole jug outside on days when it above freezing and keeping them in partial shade for a day of so. Just try to avoid a sudden change in their environment.

ok, un-hijacking this thread...

Thanks farmerdill.

If I want to save seed, I will need to bag a few flowers?

Gymgirl; rethinking your project, why don't you just treat them as regular seedlings,. With a February 15 frost date, you would transplant by the first of March, which would give you proper age transplants. Repot in about two inch pots give them adequate light and get them ready to go. Harden off before putting them outside.

It has been my experience that peppers cross pollinate readily so Yes you would need to bag the blooms to isolatee them from other nearby plants if you want to save seeds that are will come back "true" to the parent plant.
Last year I planted Purple Jal next to Tunesian Baklouti and by the end of the season I had oddly shaped red peppers on my Purple Jal. and smaller red with purple stripped fruit on the Tunesian Baklouti.
Lisa

ok Thanks 1lisac. And thanks for keeping it on topic

Thats very odd Lisa, on that note my wifes teacup chihuahua needs a new home so if anyone near San antonio is interested please let me know. BTW, she chews on shoes and transformers.