January 10, 2010 by rfkeith
Hi Guys,
Firstly apologies for the lack of posts over the past couple of months. Got side tracked by my wedding and honeymoon. However even though the plants have been woefully neglected I can at least say I have found a reasonably inexpensive holiday watering solution.
After adding Hygrozyme into the my nutrient mix everything has just taken off. However my peppers aren't settings so I'm guessing I may be doing something wrong so any ideas would be appreciated. Pic's below:
Any ideas would be appreciated
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Mon, 01/11/2010 - 14:18
#2
There are a number of
There are a number of methods: paintbrush, cotton bud, buzz pollination or just gently shaking the whole plant with your hands.
My preferred method is to use a small paintbrush, just gently brush inside each flower in turn. Go from flower to flower...
The cotton bud method is the same, buzz pollination is done with an electric toothbrush - just touch the back of the toothbrush very briefly on the stem behind the flower (do not put it on the flower itself though). The vibrating toothbrush shakes the pollen free and allows nature to take it's course...
This website explains the paintbrush method.
You can buy small clip on fans, not sure how much room you have but this 6" one doesn't take up much space.
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 15:38
#3
Congratulations on your
Congratulations on your wedding!!! No surprise if that was a distraction! 
How long have the peppers been flowering? Seems like all my hydroponic peppers, and possibly the outdoor ones as well, have failed to set fruit on their first flowers. Sort of like they're practicing or something. And I've overreacted and tried assorted things to appease them, which probably accomplished nothing. If the plants look healthy, I wouldn't worry about it unless they still don't have fruit setting in a few weeks. And those plants look very healthy.
I'd love to see the flowering system!
Edit: cross-posted with Peat.
Sun, 01/10/2010 - 15:38
#4
Hello Rob, congratulations on
Hello Rob, congratulations on the wedding.
I'll throw in a few ramblings and see if any of them help...
1. The temperature range for setting fruit is limited, should be no more than 32°C during the daytime. Nighttime must not be less than 15°C and no more than 24°C. Optimum daytimr temperatures are between 23°C to 26°C
2. Too much Nitrogen in the nutrients, switch the the 'bloom' stage.
3. Humidity levels too low, keep the daytime around 75%
4. Poor air circulation, have a small fan moving air around which helps the pollination.
5. No, or lack of, pollination - pollinate.
6. Some peppers initially drop their flowers before recovering - could be normal.
7. Is the pH, EC and water temperature OK?
Thanks for the well wishes! I'm glad I have found someone who puts up with all my hair brained schemes. I mean how many women out there would let their other half take over a corner of the lounge in a 2 bedroom flat with some crazy pepper growing tent.
The PH is a little on the high side - 7.1 - so I'll add a bit of pH down tonight. I am using bloom nutrients but I suspect Gissette may be right it could be the first round of flowers falling off. They've only started flowering about 2 weeks so guess I just need to be patient. I'll double check the nutrient mix strength as well to ensure that's all good.
There's not much air movement in the tent as I don't have space for a fan in there. Pete you have any instructions on how to do some manual pollination?