Unripe fruit turning soft on the plant (sweet pepper, palmero)

[georgej]

Hey guys.

I'm growing some palmero this year and was super excited because the plant is heavy with fruit.

However this morning I noticed half a dozen fruit went soft and wrinkly before they ripen. Kinda like when you leave a Pepper in the fridge too long and it goes wrinkly.

I cut one open to check. No bugs or worms inside. Plant looks healthy and fruit smells beautiful.

I will still cook with the green peppers. They look fantastic.
I am really curious and would love to hear if anyone knows why this might happen to healthy fruit on a healthy plant.

Thanks.

 

[1tom2go]

I have noticed this also on the New Mexico type peppers I grow (Big Jims, etc.).  I don't know the cause, and as long as it's not discolored and smells good then it is fine.  
 
If I had to guess... it would be the beginning stages of naturally occurring bacteria that start to soften the pod.  Under the right conditions this could be worse, if that is even what is happening.