I have the same exact type spot on a few of my bell peppers. The spots are not on the blossom ends either, but on the sides. Could it be that a bug chewed at those parts and as the fruits developed the spot became rotten? I noticed that my latest peppers, the ones that formed in the last couple weeks, have not had such spots. Maybe those type bugs went away? Just a guess? It looks like I'm going to have a lot of peppers from now until mid-Fall. My plants are starting to really produce. They are about three feet tall and even starting to lean over. I grew peppers for the first time last year and the plants didn't really pump out the peppers until late summer and early fall. At least something grows well in Texas. Pete

I grow Jalapeno, Chile Grande, Cubanelle, Hungarian Yellow Wax, New Mex Sunrise, Colossal, California Wonder, Diamond, Golden California Wonder, Orange Sun, and Purple Beauty. In separate containers on a Deck. When my peppers start looking like the ones in the above photos it's because I haven't watered them enough. They all seem to require more water during periods of long, hot, days Regardless of variety. When watered and moved into the shade for a day they come right back. I'm not saying they can't show similar symptoms due to over watering, It's just that mine always wilt pretty much in unison With all varieties showing similar symptoms within hours of each other. ~Ken~

azamsharp, I did the same as you this year - had one extra plant and didn't want to dump it, so I put it in one of those hanging planters. I just noticed, after I noticed a bit of wilting, that the stem was almost completely chewed threw. I decided it was the foam piece that keeps it "tight" in there. It didn't allow it to grow, so the stem was down to about 3 threads keeping it together. Your plant may be too young for that, but it might be worth looking at the stem to see if you notice anything. I had to cut mine off and then re-root it in water. I will replant it next week, but not sure if it will happen in one of these planters!

I am referring to the FUNGUS when I use the term mycorrhizal fungi or mycorrhizal inoculate. Not all saprophytic fungi form the mutualistic infections with plant roots. I assumed wrongly that you understood that. We look for particular species of fungi on a label of product. The product should be matched with the intended use. I cannot speak to the quality of retail packaging.....inoculate does have a finite shelf life which can be shortened or lengthened by storage conditions. Inoculation is certainly not beneficial in every application. A healthy, bioactive soil system will likely contain plentiful mycorrhizal fungal spores. However, soils on on new construction sites can be barren. So are those artificial soils compromising a golf course green, a bark based nursery mix, a potting medium, a compacted site, soil under a former slab, and on and on. Think of the word mycorrhizae (mycorrhiza is singular) as an adjective when spores are being discussed. But don't forget that once the association between roots and fungus begins, mycorrhizae can be seen, either with the naked eye or with magnification. The adjective becomes a noun. I've been extremely fortunate in that I've been able to work with one of the world's leading researchers of the effects of adding mycorrhizal (adjective) inoculates to deficient sites, Dr. Don Marx. I am well aware that being in a position to assist in collecting data for all kinds of testing grounds is unique. I also worked in a progressive, well informed community of professionals who believed strongly in keeping up with our education on a frequent basis. That means being exposed to concepts and technology on a routine basis. So....do you believe in the benefits of using bacterial inoculates when planting legumes in your garden? :-) Here is a link that might be useful: a little from the great Alex Shigo