Pepper Production Problems

[phkc070408]

All: I've always had pepper production problems, especially with my bell peppers. I think I figured it out and want to hear your opinion.

I live in Northern Delaware. I always start my plants indoor in the winter and transplant outside. I think my first issue is I'm transplanting outside too early. I used to transplant in early May, when night temps are still in the 55ºF range. I just read that I want to keep my night temperatures at around 60º or higher.

Also, when I had the seedlings indoors, I kept them at a constant temperature. I just read that I want to vary the daytime and nighttime temps to promote fruits growth (constant temps will promote plant growth).

My plan this year is to start my seeds indoors at the same time, mid February, but not transplant them until at least the 3rd week of June. Also, I plan to vary the indoor temperature day and night.

Opinions?

 

[Meadowlark]

My opinion is 60 deg F sustained nighttime is too low for good bell pepper growth and 55 deg F sustained is for sure way too low.

I prefer a sustained nighttime low no lower than 70 Deg F for growing bell peppers. Occasional drops below 70 deg F ok, but not on a sustained continuing basis. Here in East Texas that is pretty easy to achieve in April. Plants exposed to frequent drops into the low 60's and 50's will never do well here.

 

[phkc070408]

Well, in July, our average night temp is 68, so I can't get higher than that. OK, waiting until very late May or early June to transplant is the plan.

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

Bell peppers are way harder in the north. I wouldn't worry about varying indoor temperature, at least not until they're big enough you want them fruiting. You could move the pots inside every night, but it'll be a lot of work

 

[GFTL]

I'm in 6b and while my bell peppers produce well it's usually late in the season and a lot don't get mature. This year I'm starting my seeds a month earlier to help get earlier flowers. Just going to have to up pot before transplanting. I agree with Martin Mikulcik that temp variation for seedlings isn't a production factor.

 

[phkc070408]

I started my seeds earlier this week. I understand that I don’t need to vary the temp yet. I too will transplant them into a bigger container before putting them in the ground.

I plan to put them in the ground in late May. I used to do it in the beginning of May but will wait a few additional weeks.

At what point should I start to very the temperature? Should I wait until they’re outside and let nature do it, or I can start it earlier, say a month before they go into the ground.

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

Wait till they're outside and let nature do it. You don't want them even making flowers till they're in the ground a few weeks