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No peppers, only foliage in my 'Big Bertha' Bell pepper plant

17 years ago

HI

I planted Big Bertha Bell about a month ago, the plant grew very well. I Ferttilized with a low release plant/vegetable food. My plant has become about 2.5 ft. I have lots of foliage and no peppers at all. I get lots of flowers which just drop off without producing ant peppers, can anybody help me understand what to do.

Please help

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Comments (12)

wayassfasterthanyou
17 years ago
I too have 12 pepper fish plants that are growing well but no peppers.
they are 4 months old.
my other pepper plants are doing well and producing peppers so i am thinking time will solve all my worries.

shayne
sumbul
Original Author
17 years ago
I read some of the emails on this forum yesterday and was thinking may be I HAVE over fertilized my pepper. How do I confirm if my peppers are overfertilized and Do i need to change the potting soil. Just FYI: i USED A 17-17-17 slow release fertilizer.
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The Big Bertha Hybrid Pepper IS something of an oddity with regard to the size of the bell shaped peppers it produces. This variety produces HUGE peppers for me. However, the peppers are LONG (like the "European" style of bell peppers) and as big around as most regular bell peppers. These are usually listed as elongated bell peppers in seed catalogs. Last year I had one that measured 9 inches in length--VERY LONG for a pepper. Anyway, to answer your questions: 1)What potting soil should i use? A: If you are planting this into the ground then any good garden soil is okay to use. You can add compost if you want, to add some nutrients to the soil. Use a LOW NITROGEN fertilizer if you fertilize. This will help to produce a good crop of peppers. HIGH nitrogen fertilizers will produce LOTS of foliage and few peppers. 2)How much water? A: The general consensus for most plants and gardens is that most plants do well receiving about 1-inch of rain per week. If you have to water due to a dry spell then water the plant very well and DEEPLY each time you water. This will produce a deeply rooted plant that will withstand drought much better. Watering lightly will produce roots near the surface of the soil that will be more prone to dryness and heat. 3)Does it need sun or shade? Zone 8. A: Full sun is best for peppers. Peppers love warm weather and should grow well for you in zone 8 as long as they get plenty of water. Hope this helps, Chris
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byron
17 years ago
Blossom Drop

Here is a link that might be useful: Blossom Drop
dilbert
17 years ago
Byron, did you forget this is the pepper forum or are you saying that the causes of blossom drop for peppers are the same as for tomatoes?

I have 1.5 years experience with peppers and over 35 years experience with tomatoes. Maybe, for people like me, there should be a short list of cultural differences to memorize.
byron
17 years ago
dilbert

Blossom drop/Blossom end rot affects ALL fruiting veggies, fruiting as defined that the seeds are in the part that you eat, Tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, squash, cukes, watermelon, beans, peas, etc.

Tomatoes, peppers and eggplant share about 98% of the same insects and diseases. They are also self fertile.

Blossom end rot shows up a little different on peppers, than on tomatoes.

Peppers like plant outs about 10 degrees warmer than tomatoes.

You can't use Daconil on peppers after pod set (???) I dunno..

hth
dilbert
17 years ago
"Do i need to change the potting soil."

If the plants are potted in soilless mix, you should use a fertilizer that includes substantial amounts of calcium, magnesium and sulfur.

I use http://www.hydro-gardens.com/10822.htm which was designed for hydroponic use, but works well on plants potted in soilless mix. However, note that this is a revised formulation that requires addition of epsom salts.
sumbul
Original Author
17 years ago
Dilbert: I didnt understand your solution cos I dont know what "soilless mix" is. I grew my plant originally in potting soil+cow manure+top soil.

Is there a simple fix for my problem. I am a first time gardener and am very scared to over/under fertilize. Can i add any non chemical stuff to my plant.
dilbert
17 years ago
"I dont know what "soilless mix" is"

Soiless mix is potting soil that contains no dirt from the ground. Typical ingredients are peatmoss, pearlite, vermiculite, composted bark, coir, etc.

Getting back to your problem, you never said what part of the country you are from. My bell peppers are just beggining to form, whereas my Mariachi, Banana Bill, and Bulgarian Carrot are almost ready to pick. If you live in zone 5 or less, you probably should do nothing.
sumbul
Original Author
17 years ago
Im from Connecticut. I dont know what zone would that be. Based on my area, do you have any suggestions? I really appreciate your input.
michaelnohio
17 years ago
I am in Ohio and planted my bell peppers around may 5th they are just now showing small peppers. sumbul since you are in conneticut the season will take longer I would guees. Having your plants so tall they are doing ok I think you just need to wait A LITTLE LONGER. I dont remember where I saw the Zone listing but I believe you could find it on this page under esources or ask the expert. Good Luck
byron
17 years ago
sumbul

Southern NH and Mass are Zone 5a/5B

Western Mass/Conn in the higher elevations is still Zone 5.

Eastern Conn and Mystic is about Zone 6
kmursel_att_net
12 years ago
Too much watering is the problem. Pepper plants with a lot of watering help growing leaves and blossom and stop producing fruit. Just water little at atime (once a week not too much) YOU WILL SEE THE RESULT.

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