container-growing What kind of sun is better for my pots?

[androzrim]

Hello!

I am growing peppers for the first time this year. I have 5 peppers (Cayenne, Jalapeno, Habanero, Zebrange and Chupetinho) that I have transplanted into 13l and 25l pots. I do not have many options around my house, so I have two possibilities as to where to place them.

I have been reading a ton on best time of day to have your peppers get sun but everyone seems to have a different opinion. For info, I live in a continental climate, at 46°N. Our summers are an average temp of 26-27°C (80F) with some highs of 33°C (92F).

My first option is an east facing terrace that gets sun from sunrise up to around 2-3pm, but it's also bare tiles and wall that reflect heat so it still gets quite heated in the summer.

The second option is a south facing front yard that is shaded by a living fence in the morning, so it gets sun from around 10-11am until evening. We do have textile shade screen that can be extended and could probably shade the peppers in case of a hot day.

My main concern about the first spot is that it wouldn't be getting any direct sun after 2-3pm as the house starts shading it. From what I've seen more is better with sun and chilies, but I still don't want to burn them. With the second it is the opposite as it would be getting full blast mid-day sun.

I have been trying to figure it out on my own but I can never know what the weather is like at them when I see people recommend either morning or afternoon sun, so I am slightly lost.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[growyourown]

disclaimer: i am no expert, and my attitude is definitely very easy-going about this hobby, not thinking/stressing about "maximizing" or "controlling" anything. but to try to answer your question:

-if you had more than 5 plants i would say to put half your plants in each spot as an experiment to see which perform better.

-if you are able (i.e. not at work, or if you come home for lunch, or have a housemate who can help), you could move them between both spots to get the morning sun in spot 1 and the afternoon/evening sun at spot 2.

-the approach you should likely take is to try them in the morning spot first, as when they first go outside they will be adjusting to the outdoors. after a few weeks or a month, maybe you might try moving to the fuller-sun spot to see if they really take off.

 

[androzrim]

disclaimer: i am no expert, and my attitude is definitely very easy-going about this hobby, not thinking/stressing about "maximizing" or "controlling" anything. but to try to answer your question:

-if you had more than 5 plants i would say to put half your plants in each spot as an experiment to see which perform better.

-if you are able (i.e. not at work, or if you come home for lunch, or have a housemate who can help), you could move them between both spots to get the morning sun in spot 1 and the afternoon/evening sun at spot 2.

-the approach you should likely take is to try them in the morning spot first, as when they first go outside they will be adjusting to the outdoors. after a few weeks or a month, maybe you might try moving to the fuller-sun spot to see if they really take off.

Thank you for replying!

I am currently more or less following the last approach you mentioned here. They've been in the morning spot since transplanting 10 days ago, and can easily take the full sun until 3pm without showing any leaf curling or sun scald. I think they came from the nursery quite hardened already as they were growing in an outdoor greenhouse there with relatively low shading.

I might try to move them to the mid-day/afternoon spot this weekend as it should be very sunny to see how they handle a full day's sun. In case it would be too much, I can at least move them back while they're still relatively small...

Moving them every day is not the easiest since it means carrying them through the house to the first floor.

 

[HellfireFarm]

but it's also bare tiles and wall that reflect heat so it still gets quite heated in the summer.

That would be my biggest concern about that spot. Yes, peppers like heat, but you can still give them too much. I guess a question would be exactly how hot are we talking?

I did a little checking and it seems like your summers (based on your profile location) get into the mid-70's (24C)? If that's accurate, I doubt that area would get too hot for the peppers. Just make sure they're properly watered.

 

[androzrim]

That would be my biggest concern about that spot. Yes, peppers like heat, but you can still give them too much. I guess a question would be exactly how hot are we talking?

I did a little checking and it seems like your summers (based on your profile location) get into the mid-70's (24C)? If that's accurate, I doubt that area would get too hot for the peppers. Just make sure they're properly watered.

Summer temperatures where I live are an average of 80 with 90+ highs. Still nothing extreme but some days get quite hot

 

[HellfireFarm]

So hottest days may break 100 which they won't like but it shouldn't be too bad. Just keep them watered. Have you considered a shade cloth for the hottest part of the year?

 

[androzrim]

So hottest days may break 100 which they won't like but it shouldn't be too bad. Just keep them watered. Have you considered a shade cloth for the hottest part of the year?

I don't have it currently but in case the forecast gets into 95+, I will probably order it. I also have the chance to move them around a bit so I can get them some shade if necessary