You forgot the best possible reason --- coincidence and DTM. They were going to set anyhow. It just so happened to occur on that day. Nothing more, nothing less.

But yes. Plants love rain water.

Kevin

Did you also get a lot of thundering and lightening ?

Agree with Kevin on this one...

But I've gotta ask, did the plants stay perked up through the heat with all the extra water they received?

Jay

I don't know about containers much BUT a good soaking rain now and then can be a real boost, even when you thing that you do regular watering well.

I asked about lightening, b'c I have heard that it produces H2O2 which is a shot in the arm for most plants. Some people foliare feed their peppers with H2O2. (got to dilute it !).

lots and lots of lightning.

I set out every bucket I have to try to collect rain water to keep this effect going.

after the rain they did not droop for 3 days.

Nothing makes my garden perk up like a nice, rain storm.

The pods are still likely a coincidence, but it does now sound like your plants needed more water (relating to your other recent post).

Jay

Agreed. I water my flowers pretty frequently, but nothing makes them look better and happier than a long rain. :o)

Lightning -> ozone.

Rainwater is indeed usually acidic, and it can develop a Nitrogen charge is thunder and lightning are present. Rain also thoroughly saturates, which is something we should be doing when we water....not watering in sips.

Josh

Funny thing you mention this. We got about 2.5" yesterday, and today, one of my tomato plants had two bigger than marble size tomatoes on it. The day before I am sure it had none.
Bruce

so a week went by, with no new pod set. then it rained again. and pods are setting again all over the place. a wonderful thing, not to be complained about, lest they here me and change their minds.

I really think my plants just hate the terrible tampa city water, or I'm under watering.

Looks like Tampa's water isn't acidic enough at 7.5 to 8.5. You could test one plant by watering with cold coffee or another weak acid.

Here is a link that might be useful: City of Tampa Water Quality

Whatever you do, don't waste time with coffee, weak or otherwise. If you wish to lower the pH of your water, add white vinegar until the pH of the water drops between 5.2 - 5.8 - then record how much vinegar was required, and simply add that volume to your gallon/s each time you water.

Josh