water Self watering planter

[pcguru2000]

I have tried unsuccessfully to grow habaneros and ghost peppers for more than a few months.
 
I had no issues growing the ghost peppers from seed (some people say this is the hardest but every speed sprouted)
 
 
I grew a thriving tomato plant in a large self watering container along with a habanero (that I grew from the seeds from habaneros bought at a supermarket).  The habanero plant grew super fast, then died after 2-3 months.  The leafs all became very light green.  Tried Epsom salt, iron supplements, nothing helped.
 
The growth medium that both plants shared was 100% organic home made castings and fed the plants filtered water from the bottom access hole in the self watering container.  The bottom of the container has a reservoir
 
Did the habanero plant not like to share root space with the tomato?
Did the habanero not like having their roots be soaked?
Did the habanero not like the 100% pure castings?
 
I'm in  Zone 10a 30°F to 25°F Zone 10b 35°F to 30°F
 
The plant died in the summer time.  Temperatures were ranging from 72 at night to 100 in the afternoon.  Sunlight was blocked from hitting plants after 3Pm or so.

 

[Edmick]

My experience with worm castings is that it becomes very dense unless it's mixed well into another medium. Being so dense and being "soaked" as described seems like a recipe for failure. You'll need a nice well draining aerated medium for peppers to thrive. Worm castings are awesome but not as a 100% growing medium. I would recommend mixing it with coco coir or peat moss with perlite or vermiculite.

 

[tctenten]

 

[Chorizo857_62J]

My experience has been that the Hab does not need as much water as the tomato.  Thus the Hab suffered, and the tomato thrived.  The Habs seem very sensative to over-watering.

 

[thefish]

My experience has been that the Hab does not need as much water as the tomato.  Thus the Hab suffered, and the tomato thrived.  The Habs seem very sensative to over-watering.

 
my hab suffered in a self watering pot (not a diy build but the type you get from homedepot) until I stopped trying to use the function of filling the bottom with water. I agree with the other posts, use a well aerated mix that doesnt water log.