QuestionHi, every year I try to grow a variety of Bell Peppers. Before picking, most of the Bell Peppers get an area on them that I would describe as wrinkled and brown colored. It's as if a portion on the side has gotten dried out. What is causing this, and how can I prevent it? I live in Southerne California. The plants are in raised beds and are watered daily. If the temperature in summer is extremely hot, I might water twice in a day. Maybe too much water? While I'm here, in the past when I have grown cucumbers, the plant will grow vigorously and look healthy, but it seems after getting 5 or 6 cucumbers, the leaves get a whitish growth on them and die. Once that white growth which covers the entire leave begins it's all over for the plant. How can I prevent this?
AnswerJohn, brown spots on peppers are usually an indication of inconsistent watering. This is especially prevalent in hot weather. What generally causes this is a depletion of calcium in the soil due to excess watering.
This condition can be corrected by amending the soil with organic materials such as compost, aged manure, and peat. These materials will improve the tilth of the soil and also improve drainage. you should also mulch the plants with 3" of straw or dried grass clippings. Mulch not only retains moisture, which decreases the need to water, but it also cools the soil.
In regard to the cucumbers, they are contracting a disease called powdery mildew. You can prevent this by applying a copper fungicide once every 10 days during the growth period. You should also follow the same soil preparation I outlined for the peppers.
Finally, check out some seed catalogs for varieties of cucumbers, peppers, and other vegetables that are resistant to many of the more common diseases. With today's new hybrids, breeders have been very successful in the prevention of most fungus diseases. Two good on-line catalogs are Park Seed and Burpee.
I hope this information helps. Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.
Regards,
Mike
