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Blossom Sprays?

15 years ago

Do these work? We have a problem of our habaneros dropping flowers. It's supposed to make almost every flower set fruit. I think the aphids might be weakening the flower stalks too on some where the flowers don't drop from the end of the stalk.

With all other conditions being good with a healthy flower, do these work? I find aphids on the flowers too. I would hope they would at least pollinate the flower if they don't suck the life out of it.

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Comments (7)

smokemaster_2007
15 years ago
I use a concentrate called Foli-Cal.
It's 10% calcium where Blossun set is .07% calcium.
It's about $9.00 for a pint that makes over 5 gallons of spray.Blossu set is $6.00 for 8oz.already mixed to use.

I've read that Habaneros especially need extra Calcium when they fruit.
I think the spray does work.
I spray the wholeplant down with the stuff.
smokemaster_2007
15 years ago
By the way,the spraying also washes away some of the critters on the plants too.
You can mix a little soap in the calcium spray too and kill off the nasty bugs at the same time.
I also put Caterpillar killer in it too for the cabbage worms that I get from time to time.
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Not sure where you got the consensus info from Dave but I've used the Blossom set spray in both aerosol and pump mist and it not only has proven to set fruit in cooler weather in the absence of bees but the resulting fruits have been beautiful on the outside and very desirable eating with fewer inside seeds. I wouldn't be without it. ***** I'm glad your experience has been a good one, but for many others it hasn't been a positive experience. The reason being that the plant homones that are in Blossom Set, such as indole acetic acid, induce parthenocarpy, which means the development of fruits in the absence of fertilization by pollen b/c the temps are too low for that to happen normally, and I know you know that that's why there's so few seeds in the fruits. IN addition, because fruit development is abnormal it is possible to get a mushy interior as well as misshapen fruits. Will this happen for everyone? No, but it does happen for some folks. All of these abnormalities can be found by Googling Blossom Set. I know that you're a market gardener and thus feel that the earliest fruits you can market the higher the prices you can demand, but for most of us home growers, I'd rather let nature take it's course without intervention. From what I've read in the past it seems to be used most in areas like the PNW where it stays coolish for long stretches of time in the early Spring. And that's the same reason why Dr. Jim Baggett at Oregon State University developed parthenocarpic varieties such as Oregon Spring for the PNW. Carolyn
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blondelle
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks! I just got some bone meal for them. Maybe I can also dissolve some in water and spray with that. The blossom spray I saw uses a Kinetin. You're not supposed to get it on your skin which is strange because it sounds like the same stuff used in anti-aging skin creams. The reviews are mostly great on it I've seen on the net, saying just about every flower sprayed sets fruit.

Read reviews on Burpee.com.

Here's a link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blossom Set
smokemaster_2007
15 years ago
The only warning on this stuff is to not drink it.
There is a pdf of the lable.
I used to use that stuff.I don't see any difference in the Foli-Cal and the Blossom Set except the price.
I never saw my buds open instantly with blossum set either.
I do think the calcium helps grow more buds though.
I use a light mix of Fish emultion and Seaweed extract for my plants about every time I water so I doubt that I am lacking in any of my plants fertilizer needs as far as a nutrient deficiency goes.
Peppers just like extra calcium when they bossom.
I only grow hot peppers so I never tried either spray on anything else.

Here is a link that might be useful: foli-cal site
byron
15 years ago
RE Dave Dewitt, The Pepper Garden, you can use 1 tsp of epsom salts in a qt of water for blossom set

Also remember, temperatures over 90F and too much nitrogen affect blossom set.
habbob
15 years ago
I crush egg shells and mix them in with the soil when I transplant habs to big pots. Put em in a ziploc and step on it a bunch. I give it a taste of the rolling pin to get it really broken up.

-HabBob
byron
15 years ago
Blossom drop is also caused by EXCESSIVE NITROGEN

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