[Cazzy]

When one of my red pepper plants produced its first flower bud I isolated it with fleece making sure there were no holes or gaps.

When I checked today there were 3 flowers open so I decided to hand pollinate them only to discover there were fruits set already.

So either i've trapped an insect in there or there is a way in.

What would you do, save the seed anyway or try again next year?

[sunshineband]

I don't think peppers cross pollinate easily imho so you should be OK.

 I have some chilli plants that are from self saved seeds that I grow year on year and they seem the same as the originals.

[Cazzy]

Ahh, I was under the impression that they did cross easily, sweet peppers would even cross with chili peppers.

These particular plants are from seed I saved last year.

[zazen999]

When one of my red pepper plants produced its first flower bud I isolated it with fleece making sure there were no holes or gaps.

When I checked today there were 3 flowers open so I decided to hand pollinate them only to discover there were fruits set already.

So either i've trapped an insect in there or there is a way in.

What would you do, save the seed anyway or try again next year?

Can you isolate the next 2 flowers with little bags and hand pollinate and save those?

[Cazzy]

That sounds like a plan Zazen.  I'd need to find something to make bags with..... or would paper bags work?

[zazen999]

I use muslin tied up round the flower before it opens, and as soon as it does, untie it, pollinate it and tie it back up again until you can see the pepper forming.

[Cazzy]

Thats certainly easier than isolating the whole plant.

I'll look for muslin when i'm shopping on Thursday

Thanks zazen