Re: [CH] pepper blossom/fruit problems

Matt Prerost (mprerost@mindspring.com)
Wed, 23 Aug 2000 17:25:22 -0500

On Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:36:08 EDT, you wrote:

>Hello Chile-Heads,
>I have been reading many unfortunate tales of woe of blossom drop, 
>non-pollination, etc.
>We have had the WORST summer in years here in New Hampshire.
>I planted 40 hot pepper plants (had a 99.9% germination rate with Burpee 
>seeds, heavily discounted at the local Wal-Mart) ranging from Biker Billy 
>Jalapeno (good stuff!) habanero, plus their hot 'mixed' (and it was mixed - I 
>have everything!)

I have been have quite a problem with my hab plant I would be very
lucky to get 10 peppers off this plant.  My Jalapeno's haven't done
that great this year as well.  I used some "Better Homes and Garden"
seeds last year from Wal-Mart and they were great the Jalapeno ones in
particular.

>I am up to my ears in hot peppers! (even with the lousy weather).
>The one thing I can attribute to the good pollination is that my wife grows 
>herbs.  She has one particular area where oregano grows.  It is now bush size 
>(it is a perennial and will come back bigger and badder each year).  It has 
>been flowering since mid-July and we now have dozens of bumble bees from 
>sunrise to sunset on it.

My neighbor has some Crape Myrtle's planted next to my garden.  It's
liked there is a bee hive next to my garden.  They don't have as many
flowers now but they were really going for a while.  

>This is the first year this has happened. (because she let it flower)
>Coincidence?  Maybe, but I'm not complaining!
>Grow some oregano!  It's easy and comes back year after year without much 
>care!
>Steve and Rosemary in frigid NH

I think my problem are more of soil conditions and maybe some not so
good plants for my area.

Matt Prerost