Freeze bell peppers

hald · January 15, 2007

I posted a few months ago about weathering over sweet bell pepper plants I am growing hydroponically in my back yard. They are in an ebb and flow system that is watered 3 times a day at present. The past two days the temps under my covered patio have hit the low 20's. The bells are surrounded in a plastic tent and I've run an oil filled electric space heater. The bells seem to be making it so far. The low temps have caused the fruit to become oddly small. The plants still bloom and the blossums stay on much longer, probably due to the lack of pollinators.

The cold spell extends till next week. I think they'll probably be goners by then.
-Hal

VGary · January 15, 2007

"The plants still bloom and the blossums stay on much longer, probably due to the lack of pollinators. " In the summer when the weather is hot we tap both tomatoes and peppers. Tapping them lightly several times a day would help release the pollin. This may provide some peppers if they don't freeze.

Gary

Love2Troll · January 26, 2007

It would very much help to know the temps inside the tent where your plants are.

A mature pepper plant is a whole lot more cold resistant than you might think and can survive temps down to 28° overnight and even colder if only for a few hours. The leaves probably will drop, but the plant will grow back. Frost can be even more damaging even if temps only drop to 36° or so. Frost + sun often = capsicum death. Don't know why & doesn't make sense to me, but have observed.

Chances are that your plants will not set fruit if ambient temps are in the 50s whether there are pollinators or not . And probably not if in the 90s either. I only know of one variety of pepper that will not self pollinate. Bees are not necessary.

A recording indoor/outdoor thermometer is a most valuable tool. Do you use one?

Not sure if will be able to return here if you post a reply. Have only been able to get on 3 times in last week or so.

jt

January 15, 2007	#1
hald Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 23	Freeze bell peppers I posted a few months ago about weathering over sweet bell pepper plants I am growing hydroponically in my back yard. They are in an ebb and flow system that is watered 3 times a day at present. The past two days the temps under my covered patio have hit the low 20's. The bells are surrounded in a plastic tent and I've run an oil filled electric space heater. The bells seem to be making it so far. The low temps have caused the fruit to become oddly small. The plants still bloom and the blossums stay on much longer, probably due to the lack of pollinators. The cold spell extends till next week. I think they'll probably be goners by then. -Hal

January 15, 2007	#2
VGary Tomatoville Honoree Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 460	Tap them lightly several times a day "The plants still bloom and the blossums stay on much longer, probably due to the lack of pollinators. " In the summer when the weather is hot we tap both tomatoes and peppers. Tapping them lightly several times a day would help release the pollin. This may provide some peppers if they don't freeze. Gary __________________ *"We believe we mere debtors to God in relation to each other and all men, to improve our Time and Talents in this Life, in that manner in which we might be most useful." Shaker Covenant 1795*

January 26, 2007	#3
Love2Troll Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 64079 (Missouri) Posts: 252	It would very much help to know the temps inside the tent where your plants are. A mature pepper plant is a whole lot more cold resistant than you might think and can survive temps down to 28° overnight and even colder if only for a few hours. The leaves probably will drop, but the plant will grow back. Frost can be even more damaging even if temps only drop to 36° or so. Frost + sun often = capsicum death. Don't know why & doesn't make sense to me, but have observed. Chances are that your plants will not set fruit if ambient temps are in the 50s whether there are pollinators or not . And probably not if in the 90s either. I only know of one variety of pepper that will not self pollinate. Bees are not necessary. A recording indoor/outdoor thermometer is a most valuable tool. Do you use one? Not sure if will be able to return here if you post a reply. Have only been able to get on 3 times in last week or so. jt