You can do both, cut most down to an 8" stem, and experiment with a few by leaving the first branch forks (12-16" tall).

You can also mulch their base, or fasten some plastic down (a cheap food baggie around the base of each ?). This will protect the roots from frost, so if frost does arrive, a new stem should branch out from the base. It will also help conserve moisture so your neighbor would only have to water a couple of times.

Good luck either way,

Steve

They won't really go dormant. I don't think I would cut them to a single stump. I'd keep at least the second set of forks.

Great, thanks to both of you. Do I cut the stems right above the fork?

I would leave a couple nodes on each branch that is left. But, that's just me. I have no idea what the "right" way is. I just know that sometimes a branch will die back after you prune it. If that happens to be the only / main stem, game over. That's why I would leave at least two sets of forks..

I suggest you leave it alone now. That extra growth provides a small bit of protection to the lower part of the plant.

In general, it's unwise to cut back a warm-season plant during cool to cold weather. Wait until the plant shows you where it will sprout, then cut just beyond that.

I wasn't ever able to successfully overwinter a pepper plant in Long Beach, CA. And Riverside is more inland and often colder. If the plant is in a protected site, it may have a chance.

But if it does survive, I suspect it will take off slowly but never reach the potential of a new plant.

So, why bother?

This post was edited by jean001a on Thu, Dec 19, 13 at 0:45