07 Feb 15 Charlotte (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Capsicum rotting from inside out. Look like they are wilting and soft. Can we redig the rotten ones into the patch? We have had very hot summer in QLD, would that be a factor.
We currently have chillis growing without much problem in the same patch. Some chillis are a bit soft and wilted looking,but we have had a great success with the chillis. Cooking chillis does that make them less hot? As we are finding they aren't that hot. Also how do we dry chilli? Thanks
26 Jun 15 Matt MCGrath (Australia - temperate climate)
Charlotte, lack of calcium is basically the only cause of the capsicum blossom end rot. That is the brown soft spot that grows on the bottom of Capsicums and tomatoes. Two reasons are that to much fertiliser in the preparation of the bed causes the available calcium to go to the leaves instead of the fruit. The second and main reason is that the bed should err on the alkaline side of the scale. When preparing beds for such plants put a handful of lime of dolomite lime for every square metre in the bed a month either side of any enriching of the bed, as manure will deactivate the calcium. Now is be preparation time in temperate areas.
Your probably cross pollinating if you are growing chilli's and capsicum in the same spot. The chilli's will become less hot with each new crop and the capsicum will get hotter.
16 May 15 Peter Melbourne VIC. (Australia - temperate climate)
Charlotte, Sometimes my capsicum would rot at the bottom, so I looked it up and it was stated that TOO MUCH fertilizing can cause the problem. I put any suspect ones back in the compost so not all is lost.
As for the chillies, there are hundreds of varieties all with different heat levels, Cooking does not temper them the only thing you can do is remove the seeds before using it. I dry my chillies by threading them onto a length of fishing line and hanging it in a sunny window in the kitchen. They look quite decorative. It will take a few weeks to properly dry them. Store them in jars and use as needed. Hope this helps.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.