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What Size Grow Bag for Pepper Plants? (Quick Answers)

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Cultivating peppers in grow bags and taking care of them can be overwhelming if you are new to this. Follow the guidelines to get basic knowledge on how can you grow peppers in grow bags.

Grow bag size for pepper plants:

Based on the variety of pepper, 3 to 7-gallon grow bags are typically used. For optimum growth, small and medium-sized pepper varieties such as jalapeno or banana peppers require 3-5-gallon Grow bags. Whereas, larger pepper cultivars, such as bell pepper and green pepper, need 7-gallon Grow bags.

Grow bags are the best way to start gardening almost anywhere. Grow bags are fabric-like bags that can be filled with well-draining soil and used to grow plants and vegetables.

They are typically made of plastics. However, they can be also made of breathable fabrics. Grow bags are very useful as a pot alternative to grow peppers and other herbs.

Green pepper:

Green pepper is simply unripe bell pepper and they are a larger variety of pepper. Green pepper takes 60 to 90 days to grow and the green pepper trees are relatively big.

A green pepper plant usually reaches between 18 and 24 inches across and between 3 and 6 feet in height. Thus, the green pepper plants need relatively large grow bags than the smaller varieties of peppers.

Green pepper plants usually need 5-gallon to 7-gallon grow bags for their optimum growth and maximum yield.

Hot peppers:

Hot peppers are also known as chili peppers and they are typically used in many cuisines as spices.

There are several types of hot peppers such as jalapeno peppers, serrano Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, habanero Pepper, etc. Among them, Jalapeno is the most widely used hot pepper in the US.

Hot pepper plants are generally considered the smaller varieties of pepper. For instance, the average size of the Jalapeno pepper plants is 24 to 30 inches tall and 16 to 18 inches wide which are relatively smaller than larger pepper types.

Banana peppers:

Banana peppers are also known as banana chilis or yellow wax pepper. It has a sweet, tangy, and mild taste.

It is most frequently used in pickles and other cuisines as a raw ingredient. Banana peppers are five times milder than an average jalapeno pepper.

The banana pepper plants are considered the medium type of pepper plants. The banana pepper plants usually become 2 to 3 feet tall. Thus, a 5-gallon grow bag is enough for the optimum growth of banana peppers.

Bell peppers:

Bell peppers are also known as capsicum. Bell pepper plants can produce fruits in many colors, such as red, yellow, orange, green, white, chocolate, striped, and purple. 

Green and purple bell pepper have a bitter taste and a grassy flavor. Whereas, orange, red and yellow bell peppers taste sweet and fruity. 

Bell pepper plants grow relatively larger than other hot pepper plants like jalapeno.  Bell pepper plants typically grow 3 to 4 ft tall and 15 to 18 inches wide. 

Hence, it is recommended to use 5-gallon to 7-gallon grow bags to grow bell pepper plants. 

Jalapeno peppers:

Jalapeno is a type of hot pepper. Jalapeno is a mild to moderate hot taste and a vegetal smell. It is most widely used by Americans.

Jalapeno plants are considered small or medium varieties of pepper plants. Generally, a Jalapeno tree can reach 2 to 3 feet tall and 16 to 18 inches wide. Thus, 3-gallon to 5-gallon grow bags are enough to grow Jalapeno plants.

How many peppers grow in a 5-gallon bag?

Regardless of pepper types, it is recommended to use 5-gallon to grow a single pepper plant. Most 5-gallon grow bags have a diameter of 12.8 inches and a height of 10 inches.

Planting more than one pepper plant in a 5-gallon grow bag can make the plants overcrowded and that lets them compete for light and space with each other. This will hinder the growth of the plants as well as the yield.

There are some smaller varieties of peppers such as jalapeno and habanero that can grow in smaller size grow bags probably in 3-gallon grow bags.

In such a case, you can plant two pepper plants of smaller varieties in one 5-gallon grow bag. If you are growing two pepper plants in one 5-gallon grown bag, it needs more watering than growing one plant.

However, it is always recommended to grow one pepper plan in a 5-gallon grow bag.

Five factors that determine grow bag size for pepper plants:

Some factors determine the grow bag size for pepper plants. Consider the following factors while choosing the right size of grow bags for your pepper plants.

The variety of pepper:

The variety of pepper is one of the most important factors when choosing a grow bag for pepper plants.

Small and medium pepper varieties usually have relatively smaller plants when they get matured. Thus, smaller pepper varieties like Jalapeno and banana pepper need 3-5 gallon grow bags to grow.

Whereas, large pepper types like bell pepper or green pepper need a 5-7 gallon grow bag for optimum growth.

Soil quality:

Ideally, you need to use potting soil for growing pepper plants in grow bags. But if you are using garden soil, the pepper plant will need larger grow bags.

Because larger grow bags will carry more soil to ensure the plant is getting as many nutrients as possible.

Indoor or Outdoor plantation:

The nutrient requirements and watering needs for a pepper plant can vary depending on the place of cultivation. Cultivation of pepper plants indoors needs more often fertilization and watering than the cultivation of pepper plants outdoors.

Thus, if you are growing pepper plants indoors need larger grow bags than growing them indoors.

Watering need:

Water is crucial for the pepper plant. However, the plant should not be overwatered. 

If you are cultivating peppers in a small grow bag, you’ll need to water them more frequently. For instance, grow bags smaller than 8 inches may require watering at least twice a day. 

Therefore, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of watering at regular intervals, try to choose the ideal grow bag for your pepper types.

Portability of grow bag:

When determining the appropriate size of grow bag, you need to consider how often you will need to relocate your grow bag. If you need to move the grow bags more often, it is recommended to use small grow bags.

How do you grow pepper plants in a grow bag?

To grow pepper plants in a grow bag, you need to follow these five steps.

Sow pepper seeds:

In this step, sow pepper seed on a heating mat or pots of compost, or a module tray. Pepper seeds usually take 2 weeks to germinate and they need to transfer to the grow bags when the seedlings are 5 to 8 cm long.

Purchase the grow bags and put the soil in them:

After sowing the pepper seed, you need to purchase appropriate-sized grow bags and make them ready for planting. For the Smaller pepper type use 3-5 gallon grow bags and for the larger pepper type, use 5-7 gallon grow bags.

Put the proper mixture of soil into the grow bags but leave 5 cm free space at the top of the grow bags. Make sure that the grow bags have holes at the bottom for water drainage.

Plant the pepper plants in the grow bags:

When the pepper seedlings become 5 to 8 cm long that you have sowed in the first step, it is time to transfer them in grow bags. Carefully take the seedlings without damaging the roots and plant them in the middle of the grow bags. 

Take care of the pepper plants:

After planting the plants in grow bags, you need to take care of them properly for optimum growth. Try to water them regularly of making a self-watering system.

Grow bags also need frequent fertilization thus, try to provide fertilizer often. When the fruits or peppers start coming out, give organic fertilizers into the grow bags at least once a week for optimum yield.

Harvest:

Harvest and enjoy the peppers when they are mature and ready to eat.

Final thought:

Depending on the kind of pepper, 3 to 7-gallon grow bags are typically used. Small and medium-sized pepper cultivars, such as jalapeno or banana peppers, require 3-5-gallon Grow bags for optimal growth. Larger pepper cultivars, such as bell pepper, and green pepper require 7-gallon Grow bags.

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