![[Chile Pepper Institute] Top row: Blossom End Rot, Sunscald; Bottom: Phytophthora](chile-disorders.jpg) Chiles
can drop off before turning red
Q:
Why do chiles fall to the ground before they turn red?
What is the correct way to take care of chiles?
-- Munawira, Melaka, Malaysia
A:
Several disorders can cause chiles to fall early: blossom-end rot, sunscald, and
phytophthora root rot, says Danise Coon of the Chile Pepper Institute.
[Chile Pepper Institute] Top row: Blossom End Rot, Sunscald; Bottom:
Phytophthora
Not enough
calcium in the fruit and fluctuating soil moisture levels cause blossom-end rot,
a common problem. The end of the fruit looks discolored
with a dark, sunken, water-soaked region. See figure. Careful irrigation that
applies just enough water avoids this condition.
Sunscald
occurs when the leaf canopy is too sparse to shade the fruit.
A
soil-borne fungus causes phytophthora root rot. The remedy is to plant in a
furrow-ridge, provide drainage, and not to let water stand in the furrow more
than six hours.
See
Further Surfing for good growing tips.
(Answered
Aug. 23, 2002)
Further Surfing:
Chili Pepper Institute: Growing Tips
|
