Comments on: Why Everyone Loves Growing Shishito Peppers

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 03:20:38 +0000

What gallon container would be best to grow one plant? I’ve never grown vegetables so I have no idea as to how large this plant gets. Thanks!

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 13:45:30 +0000

In reply to Pam. Hi, Pam! Usually, when peppers turn colors prematurely, it means that there's some damage to the fruit. But you didn't mention if you saw any blemishes or holes. Peppers can get blossom end rot, and grasshoppers like to eat holes in them. If all the peppers on the plant are small and turning red, then I'd wonder if they're not a different pepper. Maybe either a hybrid plant or a different type of pepper entirely. Do you think that could be the case?

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 13:30:57 +0000

In reply to Dave. Hi, Dave! I do have thoughts on peppers that don't produce - I'm considering writing an article about it because I think it might be something we can all relate to. :) Anyway, yes heat can be a problem and also drought. I'm not sure how your soil is lacking, but there are lots of factors that can cause a poor root system which will just mess everything up. I don't like Miracle Grow for veggies because it is too high in nitrogen. You just get great big green plants, but no fruit. When it's time for flowering, you want to use a fertilizer with higher phosphorous and potassium. That means you choose one with an NPK ratio where the second 2 numbers are higher than the first. You can also encourage blooming and fruit set by picking the peppers. The more you pick, the more it makes. If you have more questions, let's start a discussion in the Facebook group. Join us here if you're not already in there. :)

By: Pam

Pam — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:30:55 +0000

I am in North East Texas. It is September 2018 and my plants in the ground are still producing long green peppers and the plants are full of blooms. The plants I have in a raised bed are turning red within a half inch of growth. They had been doing well all season until now. Is there a reason for them to turn red quickly in raised bed?

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 19:56:03 +0000

Hi Laura! Thanks for the article. I planted several seeds last summer and didn’t see any peppers until early this summer. I live in Southern California so the weather is good for growing most things but our soil is not that great. The plants got 12+ hours of sun per day and I too fertilized with Miracle Grow. Around July I started to get a lot of small peppers but it seemed that most of them dried out before they reached full size and I could pick them. The ones that I was able to harvest were delicious though. I’m thinking of digging up the plants and potting them. That way I could improve the soil that they are in and have better control of the sun/heat that they get by moving the pots to a more shaded area when the weather gets really hot. Any thoughts? Thanks again!

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:32:28 +0000

In reply to Linda. Hi Linda! I'm sure you'll love them!

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 22:52:14 +0000

Thank you for the great info. This is my first year growing them and I was surfing the net to find out when they are ready to pick. Excited to try them.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:35:12 +0000

In reply to ward katz. Hi Ward! My guess is either the Miracle Grow is too high in nitrogen and low in other nutrients and/or the pH of the soil is off. Check those two things and let me know if it helps. :)

By: ward katz

ward katz — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 10:37:00 +0000

I startedmy shisito peppers in doors in April oe early May. I transplanted them when the soil was warm. We’re in Kansas City. The plants have been lush and beautiful for many weeks. I’ve had some blossoms but here it is, the end of July, and no peppers. I’ve applied Miracle Grow two or three tomes the past month. What’s going on?

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 03 May 2018 14:39:01 +0000

In reply to carol talarico.

Hi, Carol! One inch is quite small. How many sets of leaves do they have?
-If there are 2 or more, it may be time to transplant them to a larger pot or perhaps their permanent home.
-If there are 2 or more sets of leaves and they are still in seed starting mix, they might need to be fertilized. Try feeding them with diluted organic fish emulsion- the dilution should look like brown water and have a faint odor, not muddy water and knock your socks off odor.
-If neither of those seems to be the issue I would need to see a picture. You’re welcome to join me in our Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/youshouldgrow) so we can discuss. Either way, good luck!