Posted on 07/19/2013 12:45:12 PM PDT by greeneyes
The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
This thread is non-political, although you will find that most here are conservative folks. No matter what, you won’t be flamed and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Weekly Gardening Thread ... there is no telling where it will go and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us!
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Oh and based on my experience, when they say they will sell out, they will.
Moose? Elk?
Good harvesting. Hot peppers, beets, zukes, patty pan, green beans, potatoes, white eggplant, cukes.
Bell peppers are much more tricky than skinny peppers, absolutely. But it can be done!
I’ve never heard of anyone who had any luck growing bells upside down. Not sure why that is.
Your bell pepper plant looks green and healthy, just stunted. Bell peppers are really susceptible to being stunted from being allowed to bear fruit when they are too small. The plant puts all its energy into making that fruit and has none left for growing. Even if you take off the fruit now, the plant will probably never reach its optimal size. (Been there, done that.)
Also, bell peppers that suffer any kind of stress or setback as seedlings will undergo a hormonal change that shifts the plant’s efforts from growth to reproduction. It’s a reaction to the plant’s life being in danger - the plant instintively tries to make seeds before it dies. This leads to the stunting problem.
So...
1. If you grow from seeds, keep your seedlings happy (deep green leaves) and growing strongly at all times. If you can’t do this, you might be better off buying healthy transplants.
2. Ideally, transplants should be planted when the first flower buds are small. If you’re buying plants, try to avoid plants that have open blooms or peppers. Sometimes you don’t have a choice; if so, see #4 below.
3. You need to avoid transplant shock. Be careful in transplanting so as to not damage the root ball. Make sure the seedlings are hardened off to the sun and wind before planting, and that temperatures are warm enough (nighttimes never below 50F, 55F is better). Keep them watered.
4. Don’t let the plant fruit too early. Unless you are in a really short growing season area, DON’T let the plant make peppers until it is 18”-24” tall. Pick off the blooms or baby peppers. The plant needs to be that size, with lots of large, deep green leaves, to support a crop. I know it’s HARD to make yourself pick off those blooms and baby pepeprs, but if you can keep the plant growing for a few more weeks you’ll be rewarded with more and bigger peppers over the course of the season.
5. Peppers love heat and sun...to a point. Bell pepper plants are more susceptible to stress from heat and sun than hot peppers, and the fruit gets sunscalded easily. If you are in the Southern part of the country where the summer sun is intense, a 40% shade cloth or planting the peppers where they will some get afternoon shade will help. But don’t give too much shade, or they won’t grow/bloom/fruit as well.
6. Try to maintain steady growth, especially in those critical early weeks before fruiting. Keep a regular fertilizer regimen. Bell peppers are kind of like teenagers...heavy feeders. My soil is nematode-infested sand, so I grow bell peppers in Earthboxes and homemade fake EBs. But if you have good garden soil, there is no reason you can’t grow them in the ground. But do feed and water them regularly.
7. Support! When the peppers get big, those heavy fruit can cause whole branches to snap off in the wind. Supporting peppers is one of the few good uses for those wimpy tomato cages they sell at big box nurseries. You can also use stakes and soft ties, whatever is handy. But you need to support all the branches with fruit, not just the main stem.
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Good luck!
I’m thinking some sort of insect perhaps.
I’m reminded to take a pic of my pumpkin patch and my rice.
Thanks for the BHG bit on squash, trisham!
Sorry....what’s an SVB?
SVB = Squash Vine Borer
They’re like little al qaeda operatives in your squash patch.
Thanks you for that; I feel it will be very helpful.
As for growing them upside down, that was the first, last ditch attempt. It worked so well with tomatoes last year, I thought I’d give it a try.
Sockmonkey, take a look at 204; some detailed help about bell peppers.
Thanks! LOL!
Ahhhhhhh.
Pictures would be nice, please!
Thanks for the garlic tips and clarifications!
Marcella,
I’m thinking about you..sixteen hours (I’m guessing) until your Dentist opens...Hope he gets you in right away.
The 16 hours is about right. Dentist is only about three blocks from my house so I'm just going there, looking pitiful, and get a script for the antibiotics - they may go ahead and do the x-ray if I'm there.
I had about a thirty minute time a while ago when the pain wasn't there. Guess I've had enough pain med to stop it for a while. I sort of went half asleep during that time and I don't sleep during the day. I'm taking a pill every four hours but have been sleeping through the night without one which is a blessing. I've never had pain from a tooth this bad and it has lasted so long. I wouldn't care if he took a chain saw and cut off that side of my jaw.
It turned dark and rained really hard a few hours ago. It has done that every day of last week, too. I can't put up the little fence to keep doggie out of the garden until I get some dry days. However, right now, I couldn't put it up anyway, too much pain. I'm not a sissy when it comes to pain and can take a lot, but this has gone over the top too long.
I'll contact you once I get back from the dentist. It will take at least two days before the antibiotic can begin to make a difference.
Well, we have briefly hijacked the gardening thread but maybe greeneyes won't kick us off.
Hi Garden FRiends!
Today has been fun. Got gloriously dirty.
We’ve had quite a bit of rain in the past couple of days. The local papers say our county’s harvest has been a record breaker for wheat, which is a real blessing.
I mixed up some soil today and potted the two rooting experiments. Both romaine stumps which have grown rootlets from the dusting of root hormone are doing well. I also potted the celery stump which has also grown lots of roots. Since much of the old outer stalks were beginning to rot, while the inner part stayed green, Darlin’ gave me the ultimatum that it HAD to be removed from the kitchen counter!
While I potted it, I had no idea what to expect, if anything. I did a search just a little while ago, and found a couple of articles where people have a practice of planting their celery stumps. Both articles have some pretty cool pictures as well! I don’t feel as though I’m feeling my way in the dark as much. The experiment still may or may not work out, but it is good to know what possible result there may be! One of the articles says you should allow for 3” of stalks left on the stump. I’ve only allowed about 1 to 1 1/2. That could be my problem right there if the thing doesn’t take off.
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/re-growing-celery-from-cuttings/
http://www.thekitchn.com/re-growing-celery-grow-a-new-bunch-indoors-or-outdoors-169801
I have a neighbor with some absolutely stunning hibiscus. She has promised me seeds and even a plant start when it’s time to divide them!
I planted some seeds today:
Carrots
Garden Beans (Landstar Bush)
Snow Peas
Chamomile
Cherry Tomatoes
Squash (Early White Bush Scallop)
Dill
Acorn Squash
Still learning, and never tried a 2nd season, so us’ll see!
Went to Indiana for three nights of USAC sprint car racing over the weekend. Came home to ripe sweet corn. And weeds. Lots of really tall weeds.
Second season gives you double the chance so good luck. Glad you got some rain. For what it’s worth, hubby bought me a new rain gauge.
Before my cup of coffee, I walked outside into the already sweltering heat (7:30) only to see that the #@@#)*&@ armadillos had a party again last night. I had replanted okra, for the third time, yesterday and they had the whole thing dug up, started big time on the only tomatoes that are producing and went on to the corn. I over did it out there yesterday so was too tired to put up the chicken wire so was going to do it this morning but they beat me to it. Of course, they’ll just nose their way under it but I’ll give them that chance.
It's raining here! Yayyyy!
Did you tuck a clove into your cheek next to the tooth that hurts? That actually helped me once.
I knew a West Indian fellow who swore up and down that armadillo is delish, properly prepared. I asked if anyone knew how to field-dress an armadillo, and FReeper Tijeras Slim (I think) said same as a pangolin, only use a bigger knife. Hmpf.
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