Question
I planted 4 bell pepper plants.  One looks like a typical pepper plant, 20 inches tall with normal foliage and plenty of flowers, but the other plants are short, 12 inches, and bushy.  These short plants also have plenty of flowers but I'm concerned about the stocky appearance.  Will this cause any problems for the peppers?  I grew up in my grandfather's garden and don't remember ever seeing pepper plants that look like a shrub.  Is there anything I can do to help give them a height boost?

Answer
It may have been genetic - characteristics inherent in the seed.  We go through our seed and pick out the biggest mature seeds to plant. We also use organic seeds, or heritage seeds, not hybrid seed.  

It might be a difference in the soil.  If you added nutrients, they may not be mixed well.  Soil testing might be a good thing to do, and add needed nutrients in the fall.  For more information on soil building go to http://www.avant-gardening.com

Just wait and see what happens.  You might want to save the seeds of the tall plant, if it was not a hybrid variety.  Then you would have your own seed from a plant you know to be a good one for your area and conditions.  You can do this by letting one of the peppers mature and then save the seed by drying them on a paper towel.  When they are dry, store them in a dark place, in an envelope, in a box or jar.