First off, let us start by saying we are not scientists. This article is based on personal observations, conjecture and opinions. There are many different considerations to this topic and this may just serve to address one tiny sliver of the topic. So consider this a work in progress. But hopefully with time, we will be able to build on this topic a little more.

Capsicum have perfect flowers, meaning they possess both male (anthers) and female (stigma) parts in each flower. This enables flowers to self pollinate without needing another plant or flower to pollinate. Having said this, they are also capable of pollinating with pollen from other capsicum plants (even other species) by means of wind pollination or insect pollinators.

There is much debate among growers as to how pre-disposed capsicum plants are to cross pollination. There are those growers who say that Capsicum are self pollinating and therefore hybridization is minimal. And there are those that say hybridization is real. We believe that while capsicum have the ability to self pollinate, it is not true to say that capsicum are exclusively self pollinating plants. It is our experience that capsicum do cross pollinate.

Dealing with many different varieties over the years, we have had hands on experience with respect to the different cultivars and their traits. Observations of plant characteristics, growth habits and flowers all become intimate details when growing chillies. It is our experience that there are some cultivars that are inclined to grow true and there are those that have a tendency to hybridize.

Wouldn't it be great if there were some way to identify a plant's pre-disposition to self pollinating and growing true?

We have observed that there are certain flower characteristics that are key to determining a plant's pre-disposal to growing true. We believe that stigma length in conjunction with anther proximity play an important part in a plants preferred method of pollination and ultimately their ability to grow true.

The following diagram below illustrates the different types of flower anatomies in respect of stigma length and anther positioning that we have observed.

Plants have the ability to adapt to their growing environment and climate to ensure survival. A plants ability to reproduce and genetic diversity are key to survival for most organisms on this planet. Capsicum are no different in this aspect.

Looking at the different capsicum flowers, stigma and anther positioning seem to indicate their preferential mode of pollination. For instance extended stigma would be more suited to wind pollination. Plants growing in arid, dry and windy conditions may be better suited to wind pollination. Plants growing in sheltered, wet/humid conditions may be better suited to self pollination and insect pollination. The absence of insect pollinators may suggest wind and self pollination as a better method of pollination. All of these demand a flower suited to these methods which in turn dictates the length of the stigma and the proximity of the anthers in relation to the stigma.

It is our belief that flowers with inline stigma and inward anthers are most likely to self pollinate and ultimately grow true. Other preferred methods of pollination would increase the chances of cross pollination significantly.

It is our belief that flower anatomy does give us an indication of a plant's preferential method of pollination and that this also gives us the ability to identify those cultivars that are pre-disposed to growing true.

With the proviso that the seeds you are growing from were stable in the first instance of course.

But this is a different discussion all together for another day :)