[Tarheel]

Problem: green peppers, container grown. Have harvested a few so far with the major part of the crop to start in one to two weeks. However, I have noted several that have grown to about one third normal harvest size have a large brown /black soft area on the blossom end. These peppers have grown normally and are not stunted for their age. It is as though for peppers which formed at a certain time they ended up with this 'stuff'. Those which are larger or smaller — no problem. I picked these mucked up peppers off as I did not have any idea of the problem. I always add lime when preparing the soil in spring. Any thoughts w/b appreciated.

Otherwise, I am awash in slicing tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and patio tomatoes. Still have one lonely zuke producing—the others beat the dust. Cukes are still producing albeit slowly and am about to plant two pots tomorrow for a fall crop.

[Red_Devil 232]

About you peppers - watch your watering - a lack of water could be the problem. The guys that developed the problem may have been stressed by a lack of water at some point.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Sounds like you got yerself a case of the ‘Blossom End Rot’ m’Dear, which sounds more tragic than it is. Easily fixed.

Adding lime/calcium to your pots at the start was a good idea, but a top dressing again in the growing season would help. Container pots lose nutrients at an alarming rate because you’re constantly watering and washing away bits of soil and nutrients unless you fertilize (lightly!) each time you water...which can be 2x a day on hot summer days.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3117.html

I have a hanging pot of “Tumbler Tom” tomatoes that need a nutritional kick in the pants, so to speak. I didn’t follow my own advice now, did I? Do as I say, not as I do, LOL!

Again, I’ll recommend a product called ‘Algoflash’ for tomatoes. Use that on your peppers; it’s a liquid fertilzer that is cranking out absolutely GORGEOUS toms & peppers for me this season...if they ONLY had a little more heat and sun. Grrrr!

http://www.algoflash.com/why_use_algoflash.html