Capsicum plants, better known as pepper crops, are among the simplest vegetables to grow in the home. Pepper plants grow upright naturally, and come in an assortment of sizes and colours. They often benefit from the support of a tomato cage or other reinforcement to maintain their feeble branches from breaking under the weight of growing fruit. Although pepper plants need minimal care, they can sometimes gain from ancient- or late-season pruning. Early-season pruning helps to increase the grade of the fruit and is best done before thriving when the plant reaches a foot tall. Late-season pruning is done after the fruit has set and helps to speed the maturing of the fruit to the plant.
Eliminate any dead branches or dying leaves with pruning shears by cutting the branch flush with the rear of the pepper plant.
Cut back smaller branches in place of the notch where two other branches form a Y. Make the cut as near to that notch as possible without damaging the other branches. This way is used for early-season pruning and will open the plant up to get superior air circulation.
Trim off all of the branches on the plant except for those which are bearing fruit. This way is used for late-season pruning and ought to be preformed a couple weeks before the first frost. Additionally, snip off any fruit or flowers on the rest of the branches which are too small to ripen before the frost.
Eliminate ripe peppers from the plant with pruning shears when they are ready to harvest. Make the cut in which the stem of the fruit and branch of the plant connect.