sun Issue moving plants into sunlight in Florida.

half_duplex · May 19, 2014

Hi, first time poster, looking for some guidance.

I have started 10 Thai chili peppers and 10 Tequila Sunrise peppers from Burpee. I began them in small Solo cups sitting on top of a laptop for heat. After sprouting, I moved them to a East facing window where they received about 4-5 hours of sin a day. I transplanted them into larger pots, 6"x8". They were on the window for about 3 weeks.

I've recently moved them to my porch, for about a week and a half. This last weekend I moved them into direct sunlight, early in the morning, and they plants all drooped down. My plants seem to be tall and lean. When the drooped down, I moved them back to the porch, where the leaves eventually adjust themselves back up, but the stalk still has the curve in it. For a few, I used a straw to prop them up.

I'll take pictures when I get home from work. Has anyone experienced this?

Really looking forward to these peppers, have 3 recipes for pastes, can't wait.

geeme · May 19, 2014

Your plants need to be exposed to direct sun and wind gradually - it's a process called hardening off. Usually only expose for no more than an hour to direct sun the first day - in fact, if not in direct sun in the window, even less. Gradually build - half-hour increments to start, then hour, then a couple hours increments until they're fully adjusted.

El Jefe · May 19, 2014

4-5 hours of sin, eh? That might be your problem

But seriously, geeme is right. Harden them off over a few days and you'll be golden.

Welcome to THP!

Rymerpt · May 19, 2014

El Jefe said:
4-5 hours of sin, eh? That might be your problem
But seriously, geeme is right. Harden them off over a few days and you'll be golden.

Welcome to THP!

I was gonna comment on the sin. Funny typo.

Welcome!!!!

My Thai plants here in California had similar issues. Harden off slowly and they will show you love.

Very interested in the recipes you mention. Please share.

Rymerpt

half_duplex · May 20, 2014

Hey, thanks for the advice, this is my first try at growing my own peppers or anything else. I tried to do "hardening" but obviously it wasn't enough. I moved them back into the shade this last weekend and today I moved them back inside... it just seems too windy.

Most of them appear to have a permanent bend grown into the stalk. Should I try to stake them upright? I've got them back on the window where they were growing pretty good to begin with.

Koreansoul · May 20, 2014

I start my seeds outside in Florida. My plants will droop during the day because of the heat but they come back in the evening. Your plants kinda look like they're searching for light? I've never had them bend permanently and grow in any type of odd way. Also, I had a good suggestion from another. Start in solo cups but still put them outside to germinate.

half_duplex · May 21, 2014

I did start them in Solo cups. They're def not searching for light, when I moved them outside they fell, then as I nursed them back to health the tops began adjusting for light, leaving them bent like this. As you can see, they're about 12" tall and 2 months old.

Geonerd · May 21, 2014

half_duplex said:
I did start them in Solo cups. They're def not searching for light, when I moved them outside they fell, then as I nursed them back to health the tops began adjusting for light, leaving them bent like this. As you can see, they're about 12" tall and 2 months old.

Your plants look somewhat tall and bean-stalk like. That's often a cry for 'more light.'

half_duplex · May 21, 2014

Geonerd said:
Your plants look somewhat tall and bean-stalk like. That's often a cry for 'more light.'

I thought the same thing about them looking like bean-stalks but didn't know that may be from a lack of light. I'll see how they look today after a full day of window sun. I just checked and the window is West facing, and that's the best I have :/

Koreansoul · May 21, 2014

I'm sure you can start moving them outside again. If they're growing then I would guess that the plant is fine. I'm not sure about peppers but on other plants when the stalk is too long you can plant a bit of the stalk underground. Do a search and see if you can before you try... What I'm saying is don't take my word for it. lol

I always start outside in Florida with really no problem (Raised beds and containers). I am going to start a little grow area in the garage for the 3 days of cold we getin Florida (ok maybe more then 3) a year to start my plants earlier this upcoming year. So maybe you could try to start them outside?

Jamison · May 21, 2014

When Koreansoul said "searching for light" she meant they were pretty leggy. By the looks of it they were def stretching to get into the light as soon as they sprouted. A good way to make them stems stronger would be to top them. Meaning cut the tops off all of them so they start branching out from the other nodes. Although they look healthy, they are extremely leggy and weak stemmed.

Koreansoul · May 21, 2014

Jamison, thanks for giving me the proper term. Leggy

half_duplex · May 22, 2014

Jamison said:
When Koreansoul said "searching for light" she meant they were pretty leggy. By the looks of it they were def stretching to get into the light as soon as they sprouted. A good way to make them stems stronger would be to top them. Meaning cut the tops off all of them so they start branching out from the other nodes. Although they look healthy, they are extremely leggy and weak stemmed.

Moved them back outside and raised the soil on a few... if that doesn't do it I'll trim. Thanks.

Koreansoul said:
I'm sure you can start moving them outside again. If they're growing then I would guess that the plant is fine. I'm not sure about peppers but on other plants when the stalk is too long you can plant a bit of the stalk underground. Do a search and see if you can before you try... What I'm saying is don't take my word for it. lol

I always start outside in Florida with really no problem (Raised beds and containers). I am going to start a little grow area in the garage for the 3 days of cold we getin Florida (ok maybe more then 3) a year to start my plants earlier this upcoming year. So maybe you could try to start them outside?

Well, I already started them, so this is it for the year unless disaster. Really hoping these 10 chili plants will give me the quantity to make my stuff.

half_duplex · May 26, 2014

UPDATE:
I topped the plants off with soil and that seemed to get them going good for a few days, but it was really hot the last few days and now I'm seeing the leaves droop quite a bit.... but the stalks seem to be strong enough now. Also seeing some holes eaten in the leaves. Take a look and tell me what I did wrong this time.