How worried should I be about cross pollination?

[99LS1SS]

I've got banana, pepperoncini, jalapeño and cayenne peppers started. Would it be bad to plant all 4 of them (2 of each) in the same 8' x 4' raised bed or should I try to split them up?

Thanks for any help!

[TWC015]

Cross pollination does not readily occur in peppers; if they do cross pollinate, the fruit will not be affected, only the seeds will. So if there is cross pollination, you would only notice the result if you plant the seeds.

You only need to worry about cross pollination if you are saving seeds or are eating the seed (corn).

[99LS1SS]

I plan on saving the seeds. Given that, what precautions should I take?

[pepperhead212]

Cross pollination does occur in peppers, so if you are going to save seeds, isolate some flower buds from each plant before they open. I tie a piece of panty hose around the end of a branch, then, when the flowers open, remove it, hand pollinate, and replace it, marking the branch, so you can locate the peppers later, when they ripen. Splitting the rows up won't do much good in a home garden, as the insect pollinators can fly large distances.

[Alabamy]

Pepperhead is correct, there is cross pollination with peps.

[Train]

Ya
Be afraid. Be very afraid!!!
Not only will peppers cross
readily with themselves but
the Triffids are back and they
cross with everything.
All joking aside a sweet banana
pepper will be hotter then ****
when next to red cayenne or other
hot peppers and I mean hot!, this year!
Train

[Blanesgarden]

Yes way, like they all said! And youll taste it with the banana peppers!
You wanted a sweet one, and it Bites you!

[99LS1SS]

Now that I'm sufficiently worried, how do I hand pollinate?

[Tom C]

The short and non-technical answer is just grow one kind of pepper.

[99LS1SS]

How do I tell the difference between the male and female bloom/plants/flowers?