Hi there team, I noticed in the winter garden thread some discussion about stuborn capsicum plants... So I did some investigation while in the garden on the farm today and found the following... Capsicum needs a rich good soil and at least 400cm deep planting (allowing enough room for roots to purchase that deep to get the sufficient purchase, space, and nutrients) I found this as we have two plants on the farm, one in a shallow bed and one in a deep bed based with top soil and topped with a good compost, the shallow garden has produced stunted growth and capsicum that grows smaller and is prone to the issue mentioned in the winter garden thread , the second planted deeper in nutrient rich soil is always fruiting producing good size juicy capsicum and is growing a lot bigger and stronger than the shallow bed plant. This is good for us as we all love capsicum and this plant produces enough for us to eat daily... well for them I just get it when I visit. Sorry to ramble on however I hope this helps!!! (haha I also asked my mum why the difference and the above is a brief but poinient version of her answer... go my mum haha ) ps anyone tried chocolate capsicum variety yummmm!
Ah ha! Thankyou for that. The bag I have it in is big enough and deep enough and I thought I had fertilised it well enough, but apparently not. I did not realise they were gross feeders. I will dose the hell out of it and see what happens
I know what you mean I always thought they were like herbs and would grow anywhere and would handle a bit of neglect... but there you go apparently not. Good luck and let me know how you get on, as Im going to plant some of my own once I build my new bed, hopfully this weekend if the weather does as it is supposed to on sunday!
Tell me, what eats them? Mine is very chewed. I know slugs love them when they are little but what eats the leaves and bores holes in the fruit when they are a bit bigger. Must be small as they are small holes. Coolies, CPR on a capsicum
I'll do some recon tomorrow and post tomorrow night for you, my guess would be some small flying bug or moth perhaps!? but I will be working on farm tomorrow and ask the " oh so wise one" (my mum haha) I was gunna ask her whats making the holes in my basil aswell, although I found a catepilar tonight when I was pruning them, makes me mad so I squished the lil' weasel. I will add your Q to the list haha. There is nothing more annoying than waking up and finding mystery damage on crops huh!? I will be doing some companion planting of flowers when I build the new beds with the info I gather tomorrow! My mum also lent me a book that is awesome for answering all these lil Q's, it covers all crops and when to plant/grow, bugs and diseases and how to combat aswell as companion planting ( I gave it back when i'd set up stage one of my garden) So Ill see if I can post the title to see if it well help the group ps sorry I dont mean to ramble on I just really enjoy this group!!!
Thank you scout, great info as I gave up on capsicum many years ago wondering why they didnt like my garden.
Any time, Ive learnt alot from this group already and just want to give a lil' back!!! I'm like a dog with a bone I guess, just won't give up... must learn from my mistakes though or I beat myself up about it until I find out what went wrong and try again haha hope this inspires you to plant another capsicum and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
ps its Scooute, no biggie though ( I got the nickname from a friend as I used to have an ex pizza hut scooter with the warming tray on back) friends said it looked like a scooter ute hybrid thus Scooute was born! I'll post a pic so we can all laugh ( I loved the thing though until a lady pulled out infront of me in her 500sl merc-tank without looking and busted my ankle b4 she drove off none the wiser) sorry Im rambling again haha
The book I was refering to is "Bill Ward's Edible garden" you can pick it up from trade me, there was an auction that closed yesterday without selling that you could ask the seller to relist, he had it on for $10 start or it can be hired at library, or found in most places that sell books It holds the answers to the questions we have been asking (I found today that it is also possible that too much fertilisation can also cause the problems you have been mentioning "Bill Ward" claims its like eating too much choc cake! If the soil is too rich or we are using too much organic matter then it can cause the same problems as not enough, this may be your struggle as you mentioned you had the plant deep enough and were fertilising well!? also says to chill seeds in fridge for a couple of days before planting to help germination! as for your holes? try "garlic spray" past that Im not sure? good luck!
right, so they need feeding, but not too much, Mind you the soil is probably a bit sour at the moment, we have had so little rain up here. Hmmmmmmm, I am thinking protect it from any frost that is silly enough to land in up here on the hill, and keep it lightly fed over winter, then give it heaps in spring
