Am I being impatient?

15 years ago

So I have already come to terms with the fact that I started too early, have too many plants and prob put them out a little early too.

We were doing alright here for temps but then got a couple nights in the low 40s. Yikes. Looking at the plants, it's like they're not growing. Some are, but I guess in my mind when I released them from their styrofoam prisons they would be thrilled to take off. Nope.

In another part of my mind where the sane voices hang out, I'm thinking it's early, don't worry, the plants are doing their thing and you will have larger plants in a couple months.

Lemme throw this out there too.. when I transplanted some, they had a couple blossoms already. How will this affect them taking root, growing etc. Am I being paranoid?

As you can see I am in inner turmoil.

Thoughts.. ?

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Comments (9)

nitrotrain
15 years ago
I think I started too early also. I should have waited a few more weeks. I havent planted mine in the ground yet and
am afraid to do so until next month.
User
15 years ago
I have tried to rush the season here in Maine with the same result. Until the evenings get in the 60's they just sit there and some are permantely stunted. I now don't put them outside for good until mid June. Another thing I obsrved was that plants put out later caught up to those put out too early- this was also true for tomatoes.

john
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tsheets
15 years ago
I think the cool temps slow them down. As long as they aren't dying, I think you'll be ok once the temps come back up.

In the short term, if the blossoms don't drop and actually fruit, you will have a much smaller plant compared to the others because it's using it's energy to produce the fruit rather than the plant itself. But, by the end of the season, you probably will have very little difference in plant size and should still have a good amount of peppers on the plant. Not sure about the overall production through the season. Also, I'd bet that the type of pepper plant may have some bearing on that as well.
spencersmom
Original Author
15 years ago
I thought about pinching the blossoms but am undecided. I guess it would make sense since the plants are little.
User
15 years ago
Hey Erin,

If I had a vote, I'd vote for pinching those blossoms off.

Bill
shebear
15 years ago
Soil temp. For peppers it's all about soil temp. It can be warm during the day to you but if it drops enough at night to let the soil temp stay low, those peppers are just gonna sulk and no amount of plant love is gonna change their minds. Face it, you planted too early so now you just get to wait. Of course you could get a soil thermometer and learn about soil temp and plant response while waiting.

Don't worry about the blossoms. The plant will take care of them.......meaning probably abort them. Contrary to popular belief plants know what they're doing. It's us human who are the fools. The great part is our bigger brains allow us to recognize our mistakes when we make them again next year.
rick_in_va
15 years ago
Ha! Great wit there shebear. It usually takes me a couple of years (or marriages) to figure it out. I guess "bigger brain" is a relative term.

Soil temp. So some black plastic might help keep their little toes warmer?

Good luck, Erin. Rick
spencersmom
Original Author
15 years ago
Hmm.. I may be able to do that.. The lion's share are in a raised bed and then some in containers. We are going to hit the 80s this weekend so if their toes don't warm up this weekend, off with their heads. :)

Nahh.. I'll let them punish me more for putting them out too early.

Thanks everyone!
bob_in_pc
15 years ago
You're being impatient......

Like all of us.

I'm in zone 8b and I'm coaxing them along. Every year I tell myself to plant a little later but I don't.

Face it, peppers like warm temps and we're all guilty. For me, I don't need to plant until May 1 in my zone yet every year I put them out early and wonder why they simply sit there.

They'll be o.k., trust me.

Am I being impatient?

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Am I being impatient?

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