Fourth year of failing at growing peppers - Page 2

Pepperguy · August 11, 2015

I've used 5 gallon buckets from Lowe's for almost 7 years. With drain holes drilled, either in the sides or the bottoms, I have excellent drain off. I was curious while reading this post if you use tap water? Tap water, in my experience, can have a pH of above 7 in some areas. In Arkansas, our soil is alcholine and you have to douse the areas with sulfur to lower. One thing I always used, and have had decent luck with, Epsom Salt. Being magnesium sulfate it will also helps the plants with nitrogen intake from the magnesium. In the south, we've had 100+ days here lately and I'm lucky if I water my plants every 3 days. Of course with the heat...not many blossums right now to speak of ;-)

I've never tried one of the devices you have...what kind of growing apparatus is it? Always interested in trying new things.

zipcode · August 11, 2015

I find that cold nights are a big problem for peppers. Like, really huge, until they get to fruiting stage, after that it's better. My peppers are badly stunted until around july because of that. Not sure about your climate.
Generally I find they like water more than tomatoes, and in a swc, it's hard to be overwatered I think.
pH could be a problem also. As for fertilizer, try some foliar stuff, since the roots don't seem to be working well. Something with micronutrients in it preferably.

August 11, 2015	#16
Pepperguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 11	I've used 5 gallon buckets from Lowe's for almost 7 years. With drain holes drilled, either in the sides or the bottoms, I have excellent drain off. I was curious while reading this post if you use tap water? Tap water, in my experience, can have a pH of above 7 in some areas. In Arkansas, our soil is alcholine and you have to douse the areas with sulfur to lower. One thing I always used, and have had decent luck with, Epsom Salt. Being magnesium sulfate it will also helps the plants with nitrogen intake from the magnesium. In the south, we've had 100+ days here lately and I'm lucky if I water my plants every 3 days. Of course with the heat...not many blossums right now to speak of ;-) I've never tried one of the devices you have...what kind of growing apparatus is it? Always interested in trying new things.

August 11, 2015	#17
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	I find that cold nights are a big problem for peppers. Like, really huge, until they get to fruiting stage, after that it's better. My peppers are badly stunted until around july because of that. Not sure about your climate. Generally I find they like water more than tomatoes, and in a swc, it's hard to be overwatered I think. pH could be a problem also. As for fertilizer, try some foliar stuff, since the roots don't seem to be working well. Something with micronutrients in it preferably.