Stagnant Plants

cmpman1974

20 years ago

Can overfertilizing cause a pepper plant to sit there and do nothing, but not look sick? I have several raised beds. Two newer ones with a foot of 50/50% top soil / compost mix. Plants in this bed are doing well.

My other raised beds are less deep and have more native soil (though worked). I started them 2.5 years ago. Added amendments, etc. The plants in these just don't grow quickly. Other times, they just seem like they sit there and do nothing. Don't understand. Very disappointing.

I think the delay is more than the norm for peppers to establish roots before pumping growth out. How long do you all usually see before a plant starts to really grow foliage and set peppers?

I'm thinking it's time for a soil test very soon. I'm not happy with the performance of plants in my older raised beds. Kind of a waste of space. My tomatoes in these beds are 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the other beds. That's gotta say something is really wrong.

I had a weak yield in these raised beds last season too. Lettuce grows well in the though. Hmmmm.

Chris

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Comments (4)

scottish_arthur
20 years ago
i wouldnt think over fertilizing them would do that but hurt them more as to see the physical damage on them.

How warm are they, how much water do they get and how much light.???
porfiry
20 years ago
I've been having a similar problem here in Nebraska too...the plants look great, deep green foliage that continues growing up and out, but no peppers. Until today that is...my solution has been to starve the plants for water a little more, since I also have peaty, mulched raised beds that hold moisture very well. I've let my hot pepper box get to the edge of dry this week, and today I noticed some tiny peppers forming on my Thai Dragon plant. The bells are in the garden near tomatoes and other things that are getting more water, so it's kind of hard to segregate them and starve them like this, so they still aren't producing, unfortunately. At any rate, overfertilizing and overwatering may be your problem...the plants get too comfortable, and they don't bother with desperately producing fruit.

My tomatoes are explosive, however. :)
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organic_nut
20 years ago
a soil test will certainly give you some good information to base your decisions on. I think a soil test is due. You might even be low in minor or trace elements.

seaweed or kelp and alfalfa is great for trace elements. you can get kelp super cheap at Starwest Botanicals.

hard to use their web site but it is there.

SKU 201680-41
ITEM KELP GRANULES ATLANTIC 1 lb.
ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM
Price $4.57

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SKU 201680-51
ITEM KELP POWDER ATLANTIC 1 lb.
ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM
Price $4.81

it is listed under
Herbs and Spices 1 lb.
dgroworelse
20 years ago
I agree with starving them a bit, letting them dry out. However I would try giving them a shot of epsom salts; about 1/4 cup per gallon next time you water. If you do not have E.S. get some at drug store, not nursery, cheaper.