Green peppers....where is my crop?

[JDgreen227]

Planted about 2 dozen green pepper sets in the mid-Michigan area on early May, have had great success with the crop every year prior to this, right now my plants are knee high and healthy, but have only harvested ten or so peppers so far, and there are almost none growing on the plants now. Usually by this time I have gotten dozens and the plants are loaded with small peppers.

Getting plenty of rainfall, plenty of sun, bees everyplace, have chili and jalapeno pepper plants loaded with full grown peppers....anybody else have the same experience with such a poor harvest?

GRRRR....I love green peppers, and the local stores are selling them for $1.69 a pound right now...ticks me off, BIG TIME.....

 

[SandburRanch]

Planted about 2 dozen green pepper sets in the mid-Michigan area on early May, have had great success with the crop every year prior to this, right now my plants are knee high and healthy, but have only harvested ten or so peppers so far, and there are almost none growing on the plants now. Usually by this time I have gotten dozens and the plants are loaded with small peppers.

Getting plenty of rainfall, plenty of sun, bees everyplace, have chili and jalapeno pepper plants loaded with full grown peppers....anybody else have the same experience with such a poor harvest?

GRRRR....I love green peppers, and the local stores are selling them for $1.69 a pound right now...ticks me off, BIG TIME.....

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I try to freeze around 100 for our use during the winter and give away any excess plus having a few fresh during the summer. I've found that in my hot climate ( 111°F two days ago ) they don't do well in mid summer and only expect a few fresh early summer. But then in mid to late September when the temperature cools just a little they usually come on strong. For now mine are in the same boat as yours and just not setting blooms. I'm just trying to keep them alive at this point.

I was looking back at my picture records and these were harvested in October. Here's hoping.

 

[JDgreen227]

Thanks for your input and advice, it just baffles me that the summer crop this year is so puny on comparison to past years....

 

[creekbend]

Just a possibility. Were they the same variety of pepper plants that you planted last year? We raise tomatoes and peppers on a raised bed--only a dozen of plants each-- every year. Two years ago, my wife picked up a different variety of pepper and tomato plants at the feed store- unbeknownst to her. Neither the tomatoes or the peppers did well that year, Just a thought, Happy Tractoring,:tractor::tractor:

 

[SandburRanch]

Just a possibility. Were they the same variety of pepper plants that you planted last year? We raise tomatoes and peppers on a raised bed--only a dozen of plants each-- every year. Two years ago, my wife picked up a different variety of pepper and tomato plants at the feed store- unbeknownst to her. Neither the tomatoes or the peppers did well that year, Just a thought, Happy Tractoring,:tractor::tractor:

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I'm believing this to be a large part of the problem. In the past years I planted California Wonder bell peppers and had a few early, none in mid summer and were prolific producers in early fall.

Last year I tried a different variety and they did better through the hot weather and were prolific in late summer through the fall.

This year we have a hodge podge mixture of who knows what.:laughing: So next year I'm going back to the plant store I was in a year ago. I think they had plants from a producer in Georgia, maybe Bonnie or something like that. I'll see how good my memory is when I read labels 2 years later. What would life be without a challenge or two.

The weather is better today - 101°F. Ten degrees cooler makes a big difference. I'll go look for blooms when it gets down to 98 F.

 

[farmeratheart]

Another thought ... Bell peppers seem to be particularly sensitive to Magnesium (or the lack thereof) in the soil. I've had years where the peppers were blossoming like crazy with plenty of bees around but setting no fruit. Mix up a few ounces of epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate) in a gallon of water and pour a cup or so on each plant. It's like magic-peppers begin to set within about a week! Just my personal experience, of course, but what do you have to lose?

Frank

 

[SandburRanch]

Another thought ... Bell peppers seem to be particularly sensitive to Magnesium (or the lack thereof) in the soil. I've had years where the peppers were blossoming like crazy with plenty of bees around but setting no fruit. Mix up a few ounces of epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate) in a gallon of water and pour a cup or so on each plant. It's like magic-peppers begin to set within about a week! Just my personal experience, of course, but what do you have to lose?

Frank

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If I can find the epsom salts I could try it on one plant of each variety. How much is a few ounces? 3 or 4 dry measure maybe?

 

[JDgreen227]

Just a possibility. Were they the same variety of pepper plants that you planted last year? We raise tomatoes and peppers on a raised bed--only a dozen of plants each-- every year. Two years ago, my wife picked up a different variety of pepper and tomato plants at the feed store- unbeknownst to her. Neither the tomatoes or the peppers did well that year, Just a thought, Happy Tractoring,:tractor::tractor:

Thanks for your input, we always grow the California Wonder bell peppers. Was so desperate for my pepper fix, while at the local Meijers store I purchased 3 of these, sticker said they were grown in Ohio. Look at the size compared to the coffee cup!!! They cost $1.69 per pound and were about a pound each. My best home grown peppers never got to half the size of these monsters.

 

[jinman]

Thanks for your input, we always grow the California Wonder bell peppers. Was so desperate for my pepper fix, while at the local Meijers store I purchased 3 of these, sticker said they were grown in Ohio. Look at the size compared to the coffee cup!!! They cost $1.69 per pound and were about a pound each. My best home grown peppers never got to half the size of these monsters.

They feed those female hormones and bon-bons to make 'em big.

Just kiddin' all you lady TBNers out there in tractor land.

 

[radioman]

i have same issue... I always plant lady bells and always have a good amount. this year I only collected a few late.. still got a few lft , but not as many i used to. last year it was tomatoes not growing well.