I usually harvest most of them green, then toward the end of the season let them get ripe. Some years when I have more planted, I designate one plant of each color to let ripen, and pick the rest green. I like some of the purple ones too, they start out purple and turn red when ripe.

Cybrczch that is so strange your plants are doing that. Are you having weird weather? Too hot, Too wet? Too cold? I've never had that happen.

tveguy, if anything the weather is too normal - regular rains (only had to water once this summer), hot but not too hot... even then, Carmen usually sets fruit during the cooler periods and doesn't drop them. Not this year, the plants are pushing over 4 foot tall now but I've found only one pepper (on the shortest plant). The bells in the ground also have dropped all their blossoms - but the one in the pot has 4-5 fruit. If it wasn't for that plant and the banana peppers I wouldn't have any sweet peppers this summer.

cybrczch said:tveguy, if anything the weather is too normal - regular rains (only had to water once this summer), hot but not too hot... even then, Carmen usually sets fruit during the cooler periods and doesn't drop them. Not this year, the plants are pushing over 4 foot tall now but I've found only one pepper (on the shortest plant). The bells in the ground also have dropped all their blossoms - but the one in the pot has 4-5 fruit. If it wasn't for that plant and the banana peppers I wouldn't have any sweet peppers this summer.

That is sure discouraging. I hope they figure out what they need and get on with production for you.

Good grief -- 4-foot-tall pepper plants! (now I have another goal to strive for... or maybe I should just be happy that my much shorter plants are producing well )

It would certainly be frustrating to have those big plants and no fruit...

Weedwhacker said:Good grief -- 4-foot-tall pepper plants! (now I have another goal to strive for... or maybe I should just be happy that my much shorter plants are producing well )

It would certainly be frustrating to have those big plants and no fruit...

I am sure my pepper plants have never gotten that tall. But they make peppers so that's what counts.

While out checking the garden, I did notice a bunch of buds were falling off the plants. They were making peppers too, but many weren't making it to peppers. I'm guessing it's a nutrient thing, just knowing how my dirt likes to leak nutrients.

robynanne said:While out checking the garden, I did notice a bunch of buds were falling off the plants. They were making peppers too, but many weren't making it to peppers. I'm guessing it's a nutrient thing, just knowing how my dirt likes to leak nutrients.

Your soil shouldn't be that bad that you don't get peppers. I mean you put in all those amendments.

Newyorkrita said:

Your soil shouldn't be that bad that you don't get peppers. I mean you put in all those amendments.

Oh, they're making peppers. Just that I'm noticing SOME are falling off. It isn't really 'bad'.. but it is so sandy that adding stuff only lasts for a short time. It washes out fast with all the water. I've got a big bin of compost cooking for fall/spring time and I'll be turning in plenty of organic material and some peat this spring. that should help next year to not need to add nutrients so often.

robynanne said:

Oh, they're making peppers. Just that I'm noticing SOME are falling off. It isn't really 'bad'.. but it is so sandy that adding stuff only lasts for a short time. It washes out fast with all the water. I've got a big bin of compost cooking for fall/spring time and I'll be turning in plenty of organic material and some peat this spring. that should help next year to not need to add nutrients so often.

Got it.

I think "some" flowers are always going to fall off... sort of a self-pruning thing.

The other peppers growing on the California wonder plant fell off. I also picked three slugs off it today, which was gross, and there was only one other slug on the other plants in the whole garden. Granted, I may have missed some, but clearly that pepper plant is a little weak. Not going to grow California wonder next year. The cherry peppers are going great! Esp the potted one on my deck. I may grow all the peppers on my deck next year, and only grow tomatoes in the garden.

robynanne said:The other peppers growing on the California wonder plant fell off. I also picked three slugs off it today, which was gross, and there was only one other slug on the other plants in the whole garden. Granted, I may have missed some, but clearly that pepper plant is a little weak. Not going to grow California wonder next year. The cherry peppers are going great! Esp the potted one on my deck. I may grow all the peppers on my deck next year, and only grow tomatoes in the garden.

Peppers do better in pots than tomatoes do.

Yep, here are all my pepper plants. None are very big.. the tallest is maybe 3 ft? I think pots on the patio are the solution to more space for sure. Potted peppers and then I'll have room for 12 tomato plants in the garden.

robynanne said:Yep, here are all my pepper plants. None are very big.. the tallest is maybe 3 ft? I think pots on the patio are the solution to more space for sure. Potted peppers and then I'll have room for 12 tomato plants in the garden.

Seems like a great idea to me.

You should get lots of tomatoes from 12 plants, Robyn; that's how many I normally plant, and always have plenty for salsa (at least 48 pints), sauce (maybe 24 cups or so), juice (around 12 quarts), and some canned tomatoes and/or frozen whole, peeled tomatoes. Plus, of course, lots to eat fresh and some to share with people I REALLY like!

http://honest-food.net/2009/05...


That's a six foot fence behind my Tabasco pepper plants...

This past Saturday, I sprayed everything in the yard with Neem Oil for an aphid infestation. Too hot and dry... The spray was on the yard for most of the day before the rainstorm hit and washed everything away. Including the dead aphids.

Fortunately, I had just watched a video the day before (by MIgardener on YouTube) who discussed organic pest control, and advised to ignore the recommendation of using only 2 Tbsps per gallon. His recommendation was at least 4 Tsps. per gallon. So, I mixed SIX capfuls in my 2.5 gallon sprayer, to be safe. It took three batches to cover all the plants.

I checked yesterday, and there are a few mealy bugs left, but, the aphids are no more...POOF!

The distressed plants have greened up again, and are standing taller than what is shown above. Loaded with red peppers to be picked and dehydrated!

Hugs!

Gymgirl said:http://honest-food.net/2009/05/10/homemade-paprika-because-i-can/


That's a six foot fence behind my Tabasco pepper plants...

This past Saturday, I sprayed everything in the yard with Neem Oil for an aphid infestation. Too hot and dry... The spray was on the yard for most of the day before the rainstorm hit and washed everything away. Including the dead aphids.

Fortunately, I had just watched a video the day before (by MIgardener on YouTube) who discussed organic pest control, and advised to ignore the recommendation of using only 2 Tbsps per gallon. His recommendation was at least 4 Tsps. per gallon. So, I mixed SIX capfuls in my 2.5 gallon sprayer, to be safe. It took three batches to cover all the plants.

I checked yesterday, and there are a few mealy bugs left, but, the aphids are no more...POOF!

The distressed plants have greened up again, and are standing taller than what is shown above. Loaded with red peppers to be picked and dehydrated!

Hugs!

Those sure are some great looking pepper plants.

Thank you, Rita!

I only have 5 peppers this year. Well, better than what I had last year when I had none!

Planning lots of peppers for next year.