Q: Dear Dave,I was told to ’kill the weeds’ in preparation for planting next spring, to increase the pH of my soil, and to give my soil a lot of organic material (I want to grow organically, if possible). So, how do I kill my weeds and increase my soil pH without chemicals? Is there an organic material that will …
Damage from Excess Nitrogen in Fertilizer
Q: Hi Dave,This year is the first time I have planted peppers in my back yard garden. I didn’t know much about fertilizer, but someone recommended Urea for growth and I used it. The Urea I used was 45-0-0. Now, out of 20 plus plants, 3 are dead and 2 are on their way. Is there way to undo or …
How to Reproduce Pepper Plants from Cuttings
Q: Hi Dave!I was wondering if I am able to take cuttings from my plants and make clones to produce more peppers? I have a few special plants that I would love to keep going, because I would like to sell some chiles locally. Can you help me?Thank you so much in advance, Cesar A: Hello Cesar:To reproduce pepper plants from …
Leaf Mottling
Q: Hi Dave, I have a great crop of habaneros and Scotch bonnets coming up, about 50 plants, 1 foot tall, blossoms everywhere. My problem is, in the last week a lot of the leaves are turning a mottled greenish-yellow color and the edges are turning a crispy brown. I am wondering what could be the problem–is it a bug …
Chiles are Self-pollinating
Q: Dear Dave, I am trying to grow 6 potted jalapeño plants on my balcony. I was wondering what method of pollination these peppers use to produce fruit, i.e. wind, insect, manual pollination. If these plants produce, I would like to move them indoors late fall through spring to keep up the fruit production. While they are inside, what will …