Question
QUESTION: i think i have a problem with my Habanero plant.
i planted it about 2 months ago, on March 20.
it seems like to plant is kind of 'stuck' it doesnt grow anymore, not as far as i can notice anyway.
also, i think it is too small for it's age.
it is 2 months old and only in height of a game card.
(see here: http://i40.tinypic.com/wulaw3.jpg)

tutorials i read says maturity is 2.5 months.
what seems to be the problem?

thanks ahead.

ANSWER: Tomer,
Is the plant in full sun? These peppers need at least 6 hours of dead-on sun including the noon hour in order to do well.

Is there new soil in the box? If plants (peppers or other plants) don't have loose, fertile soil to grow in then they will have to fight to create a good, strong root system. There should be at least 6 to 8 inches of soil in the area where you've planted them, and the soil should be new and not pushed down into the box. (Even if the soil is new, if it's been packed into the box then once again, the roots won't grow easily.) All of this is important because what happens below the soil is reflected above - a plant with a large root system will create growth on top, but if the roots are restricted you get a smaller plant.

Have you given it any fertilizer? Any plants in containers or small areas of soil need some fertilizer to help provide ideal growing conditions. You only need to fertilize every three weeks or so, and mix according to the directions on the label.

Have the temperatures been warm? Peppers put on their best growth in hot weather. If the temps fall below 60 degrees F (15.5 C) at night you won't see much growth.

It could be any of the above, or a combination of these factors that is limiting the peppers' growth.

I hope this helps,
C.L.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for replying.
the plant is in full sun all day long, it recieves a direct sun from 8 am to 7 pm, may i say even hot sun (i am located in Israel in a place with high humidity, about 70), at night the temperature does not fall below 18C(64F).

i am using new soil, now that you mention, i think i did tightened the soil, do you think this is the case?
i didnt use any specific fertilizer, however i do use compost, it might contain some fertilizer?
what kind of fertilizer you recommend?

after i read your answer i transferred one of the plants to a round box so it will be alone and the land wont be tightened, the plant wilted after 10 minutes so i gave it a lot of water, now (3 hours later) it is strong again and looks ok.

i need a professional opinion too,  i am not sure on how much water to give the plants.
i read in several places that i only need to keep the soil moistured, not wet, so i am giving the entire box (in the picture) about half a litter a day, is it enough?

thank you very much for your efforts and patience.

ANSWER: Yes, compact soil can stunt the growth of plants.  The sun and heat sound perfect for peppers, so we know that isn't it.  The best watering for all plants is to completely drench the soil and then let some time go by before watering again.  A half liter a day doesn't sound like enough to me, although I don't know how deep the box is.  There are drainage holes in the box, yes?  Hopefully so - then you should water the entire box very well, letting the excess water drain out the bottom.  Then test the soil the next day by sticking your finger down an inch or two - if the soil is still damp, don't water. Wait until the soil is dry  but before the plants wilt, and water again.

The plant that you moved will need a bit more water because the roots have been disturbed - once it has regrown those roots it won't need as much watering.

I don't know what brands of fertilizer are available to you where you live. You can ask for a fertilizer at a plant store or garden center where this type of product is sold, and tell them it's for vegetables. If you buy a liquid be sure not to use it when the plants are dry: water well first, then mix the fertilizer and apply it an hour or two after you've watered. Never fertilize a thirsty plant.  In the United States we also have time-release fertilizers, and organic fertilizers that are slow release. One brand of time-release is Osmocote Indoor Outdoor - a brand of organic is Plant Tone, and an example of an organic liquid is Fish and Seaweed Emulsion.  If you want to only use organic ask for a product suitable for vegetables in containers.  Because you are growing in a container I think that you need more than just the compost, but use any product according to the directions so that you don't kill the plants with kindness. (too much fertilizer causes the plants to get burned.)

Although you don't want peppers to be in wet soil all the time, if only a little water is applied then the root system stays in a small place, and as I mentioned before, what goes on under the soil is reflected above. If the entire box of soil is damp then the roots will grow out into all the dirt and you'll get a larger root system which will result in a larger plant.

I hope this helps!
C.L.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok, i'll adopt your recommendations.
but what kind of fertilizer should i asked for, i mean based on chemical element? (sodium,sulfur..)


Answer
Sulfur and sodium aren't complete fertilizers. Go to a good garden center and ask for a fertilizer for vegetables. Fertilizers have three numbers on the label that list the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.   You want a product that either has fairly equal percentages, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20  or one that has slightly higher nitrogen or phosphorous.  Many fertilizers also have the so-called "micro-nutrients" such as magnesium or boron. The percentages of these micro-nutrients are way, way smaller.

You want a fertilizer that has those main three: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium - if the product you find also has the micronutrients, that's fine, but those three are the most important.  Ask at your local garden store and they should give you the right product.

all the best,
C.L.