Is it possible for different pepper varieties to cross-pollinate? Someone I knew had sweet bell peppers planted by jalapeño peppers and the bell peppers were hot like the jalapeño peppers. — Amanda

That's a great question. The answer is: Yes, while peppers are generally self-pollinating, different varieties/types of peppers can cross-pollinate if planted near each other. But, no, it does not affect the flavor of the peppers.

The type of fruit a pepper produces is determined by the genetics of the mother plant.

A sweet pepper produces sweet fruit, and a hot pepper produces hot fruit regardless of the pollen that pollinates their flowers.

If a hot pepper's pollen is transferred to the flower of a sweet bell pepper and pollinates the flower leading to a fruit, all the genes of the hot pepper go into the embryos inside the seeds.

The hot genes of the hot pepper that provided the pollen do not influence the fruit itself.

Crossing between hot and sweet peppers is expressed in the next generation when saved seeds are planted. The bell pepper that is formed from pollination by a hot pepper is sweet.

But if you save the seeds and plant them, you may find both sweet and hot peppers among the offspring.

Then, someone could say, "Hey, what gives? I got these seeds from a sweet pepper. Why are some of the offspring making hot peppers?"

The answer would be a hot pepper pollinated the flower that produced that sweet pepper.

So, unless a home gardener wants to save seeds of a particular variety, cross-pollination of peppers in the home garden is of no concern.

If you do want to save seeds and you are growing more than one variety of pepper in your garden, separate them as far apart as possible.

I have a small vegetable garden where I grow tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers. I've had a lot of issues in past seasons with pests such as aphids, cutworms, caterpillars and tomato hornworms.

This year, I'm using Sevin spray (not the dust) to control insect pests. If I spray the garden with this and it rains or even after watering, do I need to reapply? How often should I spray? Does the product keep the pollinators (bees) away? —  Bob

Sevin should effectively control the types of insects you mentioned (as well as many others). To answer your questions.

Sprays stick to the plants better than dusts. Once the insecticide is dry it is not so easily washed off. If it rains before the insecticide is dry (and you really should not spray if rain is imminent), you should reapply. But, otherwise, no. When you water, direct the water to the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves. Not only does this preserve the insecticide on the plant, but it keeps the foliage dry. Wetting the foliage of vegetables encourages fungal leaf diseases.

After they are applied insecticides lose effectiveness over time (sunlight breaks them down), and they must regularly be reapplied to maintain control. Check the label for directions on how often to apply the product you are using. Spraying is generally done about every seven days.

Be sure you spray thoroughly under the leaves when you spray. Many insects hide under the leaves, so applying insecticide there enhances control. In addition, the insecticide residue under the leaves is sheltered from the rain and protected from sunlight, allowing it to persist longer.

Insecticides do not keep bees away but can negatively impact them. Make your spray applications in the late afternoon or early evening when bees are generally not active.

GARDEN TIPS

TROPICAL TIME: Now that the weather is getting warmer it’s a great time to plant tropical plants in the landscape, like tropical hibiscus, angel’s trumpet, bird of paradise, ixora, gingers, caladium, bananas, canna and split-leaf philodendron, to name a few.

SEED OR SOD? Now is an excellent time to plant warm season grasses such as St. Augustine, centipede, bermuda and zoysia. This may be needed in many lawns damaged by the drought and/or the massive chinch bug outbreak last summer. Except for common bermuda, solid sodding is the preferred method of establishing a lawn whenever possible. Although more expensive and labor intensive at the beginning, solid sodding more than makes up for it in advantages.

HARVEST HERBS: Harvest herbs that do better in the cool season generously now as they will lose quality as temperatures rise. This includes such herbs as parsley, dill, cilantro, thyme, sage, French tarragon, lavender and chives. Now is a great time to plant warm season herbs like basil, Mexican tarragon, perilla and sesame.

WATER WITH CARE: As we move into summer, hot, dry weather will be more common. Be sure to pay attention to watering newly planted beds of bedding plants and vegetables. Also check container plants growing on decks and patios often and water as needed. During extended dry periods, you may also need to irrigate established shrubs and lawns.

FERTILIZE PERENNIALS: Established perennials should be fertilized now if you have not already done so. Use a granular general-purpose fertilizer or organic fertilizer scattered evenly through the bed following package directions.

GARDEN QUOTE 

“My theory is that the flowers, appreciating how hard I try, cannot bear to disappoint me and, therefore, bloom their hearts out in recognition of this devotion.†— Martha Smith, garden writer

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWL-AM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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