Capsicum, Sweet Bell Pepper 'Big Red'

Two plants labeled Big Red were purchased at a hardware store in Bonnie Plant containers in May. They were each potted up into 2 gal con...Read Moretainers filled with Miracle Grow Mix and placed in a sunny position. Within a few weeks one of them started producing fruit that grew in a downward direction from the stem and a few weeks later the other plant began producing fruit that grew in an upward direction from the stem. Two different growth habits make me think I have two different cultivers.When they reached about two feet in height they both started leaning precariously over their pots so I carefully placed stakes in each pot to stabilize the plants and since then neither has fallen over.

In any case, by now both are loaded with fruit ranging from tiny green pepper budlets to 3-4 inch sized fruit. Both plants have continued to grow fruit in their opposite directions, either upwards or downwards. So not sure which , if either, is the Big Red as neither have started turning red yet. I am curious if their directions of growth are indicators of different cultivars, and if so, which kinds.

Both plants have done well in containers. I have many trees in my yard so am forced to plant veggies in containers to be able to "chase the sun". At potting I crumbled some dry eggshell on the surface of the soil to deter slugs and about every week or so after giving them a good soak, I give them a diluted liquid solution of Miracle Gro veggie fertilizer and basically, not much else. I have seen no destructive pests on either of them nor any kind of flower drop or end blossom rot. They are planted in close proximity to potted basil, sage, parsley, rosemary, a tomato, some bush beans, and a rose.

I'm waiting for them to at least get a tinge of red before cutting off and sampling for taste. Apparently the redder the pepper the sweeter the taste and higher the vitamin C.

not a prolific producer for me