[CH] Water, Water, Evrywhere.
lukasz (lukasz@midcoast.com.au)
Mon, 01 Feb 1999 19:57:45 +1100
During the last week or two here in Coffs Harbour Nsw Oz we have been
blessed with the fruit of El Nina.. Much rain, here at my humble abode
in Safety Beach I have been taking Scientific Measurements - i.e.,
A tin that is about 7 inches tall, so far its heading towards filling up
for the second time. Its in the middle of the yard away from trees etc.
So i'm calculating that we have had about 11 inches of rain. My problem
is that some of my chiles are not enjoying this and most of the others
will probably go out on strike in sympathy with them. Most of my chiles
are in pots raised up to a working level on red clay bricks, with only a
few in the actual ground. I'm cutting ripe fruit off the plants but
anticipate problems with blossom end rot, fungal probs, (SLUG PATROL
hourly at night, etc. So i'm holding my hat in hand and asking for
suggestions on how to come back from this. I have taken all the plants
inside that I can and/or am allowed to <g>, lights will go up tomorrow
as the prediction is for another 3-4 days+ of precipitation. (Needed
Auto parts today and the man I saw "a long time resident here said
another 2 weeks". I'm thinking I might start spraying with a mild bleach
solution then move to a fungicide like Copper Oxychloride or/and
Mancozeb when it starts to look like it will dry out. The Copper
Oxychloride I will have to keep away from flowering Chiles, which means
most of the plants..unless I can shield the flowers from the solution.
On a good note frogs have appeared in the garden again. Although my wife
would tend to disagree with that statement.. <VBBG>.
All suggestions will probably be tried.
Temps are currently about 23C/74F and 70%+ relative humidity but will
escalate to 33C/90F or higher and 95%+ relative when the sun decides to
shine again...
Thanks luke in Oz