Hi John,

I used a 20-20-20 slow release fertilizer on a few of my potted peppers last season and didn't really notice much of a difference. I did note that the peppers I used only fish fertilizer on did produce better by the end of the season....less leafy growth and more peppers. I suspect that the higher nitrogen count of the slow release form probably caused this difference. I also like the control I get from adding the fish fertilizer on a regular basis rather than wondering if the slow release stuff is having any affect.

Animoosh

Hi;
I use a Slow Release Organic 4-7-5. I use this with Plastic top called an Automator developed for tomatoes but they work great for Peppers. Automator is a Plastic well with 4 cones which poke into the soil; the unit holds 1/2gal. Water and you fill the cones with the slow release fertilizer; there are small holes in the bottom of the automator cones that allow the water to drip slowly into the plant. The automators are red which reflects a certain wave length of light which fools the plant to think itÂs crowded. Also serves as a mulch and a Cut Worm Collar. I use this setup in Square 3-4 gal. Plastic Containers that pie apples come in.
The Automators just fit on the top. The fertilizer comes from Planet Natural. When the Plants start to Flower and bloom I change to alaska morebloom for the fruiting stage.
I use organic stuff but anything would work as long as not too much nitrogen. I have had great results with this setup
with Habs, Jalapenos,Bells, any large pepper or tomato.
Keith

I use slow release fertilizer pellets in all my container plants, and it works very well. It should be noted that most of these fertilizers contain only N-P-K and no micronutrients. I use a micronutrient supplement--but it can be hard to find. Most soluble fertilzers do contain micronutrients. One good method is to use the slow release fertilzer as a base of nutrients for the plant and supplement with soluble fertilzer (Miracle Gro or fish/seaweed) as needed during peak growth periods. Be conservative with whatever fertilizing method you choose--you can always add more if you notice it's needed.

Nutricote works really well in pots. Balanced, slow release, 5 - 6 months, plus micronutrients.

Potted plants are limited by the size of the container and the soil they have to live in. As a result, fertilizer is constantly used up by the plant as it grows and blooms.

When preparing you soil mix it's a good idea to add a nice amount of dry, slow release organic fertilizer (something that will last around the root zone). You can also foliar feed with different fertilizers as the plant grows. Use higher nitrogen fertilizers during the growth stage and switch to a fertilizer that promotes flowering right before the buds appear.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fertilizing Potted Plants

We got lazy last year and used a 10-10-10 on the pots. Seemd to be okay. Only added some in the early spring and one last time later in the season. We used it on most of our plants for a general fertilizer and it worked out pretty well this year.

kendra