Streamer said:
I too have read ,since I've been here, that Pubescents ie. rocoto, locoto, manzano and the like Can or Can NOT take the sun. Some can some can't. So would seem logical that those that say "their plants like the sun" are referring to their own unique growing experience. Same goes for those who say they do not like the sun.
I've lived in Houston, the Los Angeles region and now the Cleveland area. Plus I have spent much time traveling in other areas. Your statement that it depends upon each unique growing experience is basically correct. It is the totality of factors that must be considered:
- Houston: It's hot and humid most of the year and temperatures don't really drop at night. The plants still need sunlight and lots of it, but the heat combined with direct sun can be too much for them. Therefore, filtered sunlight is better. One has to remember that light reflects, as well - even under a shade cloth the plants under it are getting reflected light in addition to whatever percent makes it through the shade cloth.
- Los Angeles: More moderate weather than Houston, with periods of high heat and humidity that don't last quite as long. Also, it does usually cool down at night. even on the hottest days. Because of these factors, most plants can tolerate more direct sunlight, or at least can take a lower percentage of shade cloth.
- Cleveland: It's cold to cool most of the year and temperatures can drop significantly at night. Truly "hot" days are limited - as compared to Houston and Los Angeles (people here whine and complain if it gets over 80F, it seems.) Plants need as much direct sunlight as possible most days. This is often difficult when both the Spring and the Fall are cool to cold and wet.
- Phoenix: It's hot and bone-dry most of the year and temperatures can yo-yo at night. Growing here is closest to Houston in that direct sun combined with the heat can be too much for the plants. Filtered sun is definitely best here.
Studies show that production is highest when plants get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. But notice that's not necessarily direct sun, depending on the heat and humidity ini a given area. Additionally, different varieties seem to need more or less than others. I've grown annuums, baccatuums, chinense, and pubescens here in OH. The pubescens seem to require more sunlight than the other types as a general rule of thumb. My back porch, where I grow in containers, is not covered but does get shade from both my house and the neighbors' houses at various times of the day and more or less depending on how early or late it is in the grow season. Some types do ok if I leave them close to the house - they tolerate the shade much better. Some types I pull away from the house to reduce the amount of shade they get. Note that even those in the shade get reflected light, but they don't get filtered light. The pubescens get pulled away from the house as they tend not to even flower if they're shaded too long each day. Hence, I say they need more light. If I was growing them in Houston or Phoenix, I'd definitely be using a high percentage shade cloth with them so they would get both reflected and filtered light. The annuums I've grown, on the other hand, seem to tolerate the shade much better and happily flower and fruit even though I leave them up against the house.
