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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.

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14 Jun 15, Rex (Australia - temperate climate)

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.

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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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01 Feb 15, Shanni (Australia - temperate climate)

My capsicum plant started growing the long narrow chilli shaped capsicums but now on the same bush it's growing a traditional shaped one that's green? How and why does this happen, can someone explain please? Thanks!!

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16 May 15, Peter Melbourne VIC. (Australia - temperate climate)

Shanni, Last summer I had the same thing happen to me. When I looked into it I had planted a variety called Sweet Mix (capsicum annuum), the long ones are yellow or red and the "normal ones" are mainly green but if left some turn red. They all taste good too! Hope this helps.

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31 Jan 15, Neville Graham (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Capsicum ,small variety,falling off bush before ripening. Bush is healthy. Any clues why this is happening

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08 Apr 15, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Are they stung by fruit fly? I loose quite a lot during the warm weather but when it cools off and there are no fruit fly around I don't loose any.

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30 Jan 15, David (Australia - temperate climate)

The rotten spot could be sun scald (whitish) ...but, if it is rotten on the bottom end of the fruit it is most likely bottom end rot and the plant needs calcium.

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24 Jan 15, Deb (Australia - temperate climate)

This is my second year of growing capsicums, I just pruned it at the end of season last year. Noticed the capsicums this year are more red in colour than the common green last year. But my question is can I prune them again this year ready for next year or will I be wasting my time. I have had a good return although they are not massive in size. Thanks. Deb

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30 Jan 15, David (Australia - temperate climate)

Capsicums are bi-annual...if they are 2 seasons old pull them out. I think most people would plant new each year. Red Capsicums start green, and turn red as they ripen, but you can eat them at any stage.

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