Do I need two plants to get peppers?

[bpgreen]

I used to do a lot of gardening, but stopped for a couple of decades. Last year, I had two jalapeno plants and one bell pepper plant. The jalapenos produced more than I could eat (even though I would use them on salads and made several batches of jalapeno beer). The bell pepper plant produced one pepper that was so tiny that it wasn't worth harvesting (but I did, anyway).

So this year, I just planted one jalapeno. I've only gotten one pepper so far and that was on the plant when I bought it. It has produced a couple of lowers, but no peppers have come from them. Do I need another pepper plant nearby?

[bpgreen]

Anybody? Buehler?

[Michael Wise]

As far as I know they are self pollinating.

But I don't grow peppers, so I don't know how much that's worth.

[bpgreen]

Thanks for the reply. After I read your reply, I Googled pepper and self pollinate and discovered that you're correct. So it may have been environmental issues (peppers are apparently sensitive to things like temperature and moisture).

[Michael Wise]

Tomatoes are the same way. If they aren't happy, they'll drop flowers and produce very little.

You might research cultivars and see if there is one that might be more compatible with your climate.

The old timers in your area will know what works best.

I bet you can find a cultivar that works for you.

[rtomek]

We had a jalapeño plant by itself a few years back, and it did just fine. I had the same experience - a LOT of jalapeños.