[CH] Growing chiles in pots in the desert
Andrea L. Paysinger (asenji@earthlink.net)
Sat, 30 Jan 1999 19:38:55 -0800
You wrote:
"Kasprowicz, Ray" <RKasprow@microage.com>
Subject: [CH] Fertilizer questions.
Any suggestions on fertilization?
I have been using Scott's Vegetable fertilizer which is a
broadcast type and
the plants seem to be doing OK, that's it, just OK.
All my plants are in pots and with heavy watering, the leaching of
the
minerals has a definite impact. Being in Arizona, the summers get
very hot
and I have to water heavy.
I have been gardening in the desert for many years and I have found
the following works for me.
Using a lot of compost in the bottom of the pot topped up with a good
potting mix .
Some of my pots are buried in the ground and where I have above
ground pots, I have them "double-potted"
In a very large pot I put a layer of gravel which will allow an inner
pot rim to be at the same level as the outside pot and the inner pot
small enough to allow at least 3 inches between the inner and outer
walls.
I place the inner pot and fill it part way with compost.
I then fill the space between the pots with sand and with shredded
newspaper packing it down well. I then finish filling the inner pot and
transplant my seedling or plants into the pot. I only need water a
couple of times a week except in extremly hot weather - 105 and above.
I also use shade cloth as a vertical wind-screen as the wind is as
drying as the heat. I use epsom salt early in the season to encourage
good root growth, then use fish emulsion as soon as the first buds
appear.
--
Andie Paysinger & the PENDRAGON Basenjis,Teafer,Cheesy,Singer & Player
asenji@earthlink.net So. Calif. USA "In the face of adversity, be
patient, in the face of a basenji, be prudent, be canny, be on your
guard!"
http://home.earthlink.net/~asenji/