I really wanted to like this one but ultimately think it was a failed experiment. This was my first time braiding trunks from seed and they ended up too far apart and extremely asymmetrical in a rather graceless fashion. Additionally, after replanting to the current pot, no amount of fertilizer, watering, or sunlight could get the canopy to grow in a way I wanted it to. I think putting three pepper plants that were originally grown to full size into a bonsai pot this small was asking too much of the poor fellows. I will give it one more prune to see if anything can be improved, but if not, it might be the way of the compost bin.

I hope I didn't kill this by lifting it up out of the pot like this. I left at least three quarters of the root ball under the soil still, I have held it in place in the pot this time with wire.

going pretty well id say

Made a make shift shelf to handle the load this year and finished half of it today since we're getting our first frost (pulled them in the rain 🫠).

From left to right,

Lemon chili

Cayenne (from last year)

Ghost

Jalapeno (from last year)

Lemon jalapeno

Gochu

Thai Hot

Habanero (from last year, not pictured because I'm sick and I can't bring myself to do one more 🥲).

Its the end of the growing season for me( my sheep got into my garden). Are these good candidates for bonchi or should I start from seed next year?

I chose to not pay attention to the wonderful advice/ recommendations. I planned to having jndoor grown bonchi.
Six pots of peppers started their journey in summer 2025.
2 plants in a 25 gallon bag, the others in 12in deep pots and 5 gallon bags.

One of them in the 25 gallon bag heroically produced two tiny peppers over the winter.

Four plants survived the winter, one died of root rot. I had intentionally placed them next to open windows. Then I chose to curtail all form of independence by pruning. Only one plant (Mystic) responded to severe pruning by producing green leaves. Then I bought gnat infested soil, won the war against gnats using diatomaceous earth, hydrogen peroxide and mosquito dunks.

Against all odds, Mystic went on to grow two peppers. TWO! And they were actually getting bigger. For a brief moment, I dared to dream of a future in which I could eat my homegrown peppers. I dreamed of sending harvest pictures to my disbelieving friends and family.

Today, I discovered tiny, cream-colored, wiggly worms, approximately 3 mm long. The plant received a 70% ethanol treatment followed by neem oil. However, the internet is saying that I may have a thrips infestation. I already suspected some form of bug was involved as the leaves became droopy and curly.

And so, I bid adieu to my dream of homegrown peppers. 🌶️ My pepper planting career was short, my harvest was microscopic, and my enemies were 3 mm long.
One day, when I can afford a home with an outdoor garden, I shall return. I will grow enough peppers to satisfy my appetite, lower my grocery bill, and possibly supply a small village. There will be better drainage, stronger plants, and a security system worthy of a pepper-growing fortress.
Until then, I shall continue buying overpriced peppers at the grocery store, while my tiny nemeses celebrate their victory🪱🏆

1 - winter 2025
2 - last Saturday
3&4 - today

This was my favorite from this year's crop. I think the cultivar's small pods go a long way in selling the bonsai illusion and it doesn't hurt that they taste great either. Highly recommend for people who are really trying to sell the "this plant is a tiny tree" vibe. I had this guy as a full bushy producer the year before and then cut off almost all of it, both canopy and roots, before replanting. I normally chuck all of my bonchis out at year-end for new ones, but I want to see how many years I can keep this one going.

Transfered my Aji Charapita Red to a small pot (~300ml) a couple of weeks ago. It seems to have survived the drastic cut with fruit ripening and a few more leaves.

I think I should probably cut it even lower though? Where would you cut this? I made a suggestion with an orange line on picture 2.

My best guess is that I over fertilized the little guy because I was trying to get him to make a few pods. Probably the stringiest bonchi plant I have ever grown but I love the color and design of the pods. Ran out of seeds though so probably won't do this one again.

This is my first attempt at bonchi. This was a scorpion that was damaged buy my dog chasing after a chipmunk. First "attack" snapped the branches, but were still attached. Second time the branches were removed completely. Only one branch is barely surviving a rooting attempt. With a kill frost on the horizon, I figured i may as well attempt a bonchi.

(First timer)

hi guys! im very new to this,

this summer i caught a passion for peppers and planted a few plants, this carolina reaper had been trough a hailing wich destroyed it but made it grow even stronger, talking to a friend who does bonsai he told me that theres a community that turns pepper plants into bonsai, any way this plant looks good enough to start a bonsai out of it? (sorry i dont have clearer pictures) it only recently started fruiting after nothing for three months!!

Really need to give her a haircut and retire some branches. But she’s strong and large!
Started from seed in January of 2024, all indoors, always intended to be a Bonchi project (not a garden pepper that I transferred)

I have had a reasonably bad growing season this year, with aphid and white fly infestations pretty much killing all pepper growth. I would like to salvage two of the plants that I have and turn them into Bonchis, have checked out a couple sites which are good instructive resources, but not much in terms of actual supply recommendations. So my questions are as follows:

- is there a specific type of soil I should be looking for when starting the bonchi, I have regular potting soil left over

- can i start with small plastic bonsai pots and size up once they become sustainable

- what kind of nutrients/fertilizer should I be using for these plants

Thanks in advance!

Question in title - this is my second year with this after taking it back out to the garden this summer. It's in an 8" pot.

I know I can trim more, but wondering if this will be "OK" as in not die.

Advice welcomed, and thanks in advance!

Looking to bonchi this plant next year. Prik chee fah Thai chili, currently 2 years old, any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated!