23,594 Garden Web Discussions | Vegetable Gardening

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fruitychick(8a)

I have ants all over my plants as well--especially the cucumbers. They don't seem to be a problem though. At least, I don't have any of the yellowing leaves like you do, so the leaf problem might not be related.

I'm a beginner as well though, so someone else might have better advice.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 6:05PM
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ottk2007

Thank you, Aili. The ants don't seem to be eating anything that I can see...just traveling like an army.
Fruity chick, good luck with your garden! :-)

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 9:03PM
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yayasgirls

The drip system can be the culprit but it has been very hot and dry in NorthernCalifornia. They are bell pepers not hot but that was the only group coming Up when I searched for pepper answer. We have been having colder nights very common here. Have to stop at nursery later
Thanks

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 11:00AM
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woohooman San Diego CA zone 10a

Same rules apply for bells than hot peppers when it comes to watering, soil, ferts.

Let them almost wilt before giving a good soak.

Also, folks over in the hot pepper forum are more than willing to help you with SWEET peppers.

Kevin

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 6:20PM
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flora_uk(SW UK 8/9)

If they are bolting already in their first year from seed there is an implication that they are under some kind of stress. If the caterpillars are on bolted kale I'd save my money on BT and pull the plants.

    Bookmark   June 2, 2013 at 9:59AM
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farmerchris

thanks everyone... im near vancouver...
i may just start some more of everything from seed again.. could anyone tell me when i should put kale into the garden to keep from bolting to fast.. and the brussell sprouts..
\ i bought some BT .. dont know if i should keep the plants that havnt bolted yet or harvest them all while i can and plant more....

any advice.?

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 3:02PM
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ikea_gw

I pick them on the morning that they open. Bugs is often a problem, especially ants, inside the flowers. Though I am not grossed out eating them, I'd prefer to check and clean the inside first. Another consideration is if you are going to stuff it, since it is easier to stuff the flowers if they are not closed. You can pick them and keep stems in water in a cup in the fridge. They will last til the evening that way.

    Bookmark   June 9, 2010 at 1:00PM
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superOK

How do you know if you're picking off the blossoms before pollination has happened? I would think the more you pick the blossoms, the more it will lessen your chances of pollination.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 2:27PM
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ltilton

That's when it's possible to try. The fact that it's in a raised bed may make it easier to get the crowns out w/o damaging them.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:21PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

Yep no problem after the plants go dormant. Just be sure to take a big root ball dirt and all with each one and be sure to have the new bed already ready for them to go in.

Dave

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:38PM
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edweather(Zone 5a/b Central NY)

What does the raised bed soil consist of? Is that mulch on top? How's the drainage? How much rain did you get? Looks like they survived the frost ok, but you are right, they are very small. Are they possibly rootbound? What did you transplant them from, and how long ago?

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:20PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

At the very least that plant needs a good dose of fertilizer. Like Ed said that soil looks awfully wood chippy. If it is like that throughout then much of the nitrogen in the soil is locked up by the decomposing wood chips.

Lots of rain, especially in poorly draining soil, quickly leads to yellowing of leaves and the root rot that develops in overly wet soil can lead to stunted plants.

If it were my bed I'd mix in a good dose of of a dry nitrogen fertilizer throughout the bed and see if things didn't improve quickly.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Tomatoes forum here

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:25PM
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edweather(Zone 5a/b Central NY)

That's a very broad question. What kind of fertilizer? Are there instructions on the package? 5-7 inches sounds about right as far as distance. Not sure if I would put it into 'holes.' Just spread it evenly around and work it into the top of the soil.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:24PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

If you'll go over to the Growing Tomatoes forum here (linked on this forum's front page) you'll find numerous threads running right now on your question about pruning. They even have a detailed FAQ all about it and the effects it has.

Pruning the ends off of leaves (leaf branches) normally poses no problems as long as you don't get carried away. Make a note for next year to increase the spacing. I know Sq Foot gardening recommends 2 sq foot each but many fine 3 sq' works much better.

Dave

PS: Just in case you didn't know there is also a SQ Foot Gardening forum here that deals with the issues unique to that form of gardening.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato forum

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:20PM
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gbecki49

Thanks to both of you for your responses. Good thing I have 2 other varieties going; one we direct sowed from seed and the other, we got as plants from a different nursery. I'm going to assume the ones that are bolting need to head to the composter?

    Bookmark   June 4, 2013 at 10:06PM
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farmerdill

Those tiny heads are edible, you just don't get any quantity.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 8:09AM
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NilaJones(7b)

>>To clarify, IS there a benefit to spraying the leaves with a soap solution if you don't see any bugs on them?

If you know what aphids look like, then probably not. If you don't know what they look like, then maybe :).

Mine were the color of the leaf, and smaller than the head of a pin, and buried deep in the crevices of the undersides of the leaves.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:50AM
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seysonn(8a WA/HZ 1)

A lot of responses. I have not read all of them but here is my 2 cents worth of suggestion:

If I were you, I would just direct sow and forget those plants. They don't look healthy for whatever the reason. It could possibly be stressed and will not develop into vigorous plants. My cucumbers were cold stressed too, I just pulled them and planted another series.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 5:17AM
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seysonn(8a WA/HZ 1)

I would say fertilize and water more often. Also mulch the hills with straw, pine needles, to keep the roots cooler and maintain moisture longer.

I think on the trellis they loose water much faster under Texas sun as opposed to laying down on the ground. That is one reason they need moisture.

PS: Post a picture , if you may. So people here can help you better.

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 3:24AM
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CaraRose

I'm pretty sure you need a male cuke to pollinate. I believe if you have a normal variety nearby, it would also work..

    Bookmark   June 5, 2013 at 12:40AM
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john9001(SW, PA, 6)

Preen makes two types of pre-emergent weed preventer, one has trifluralin the other is just corn gluten, the corn one is labeled "organic". after a while the corn gluten turns to fertilizer. Read the labels.

    Bookmark   June 4, 2013 at 5:19PM
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barbe_wa

It's the organic one that I use.

    Bookmark   June 4, 2013 at 11:51PM
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john9001(SW, PA, 6)

you may end up with cucmatoes.

    Bookmark   June 4, 2013 at 5:24PM
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glib(5.5)

the root space is plenty. Both plants go down 4 feet.

    Bookmark   June 4, 2013 at 8:31PM
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nc_crn

In case anyone is wondering, especially since they're owned by Monsanto and there's a ton of misinformation out there about them...Seminis's registered trademark on their X3R stack isn't a patent on resistance to bacterial speck.

It's simply the registered trademark on the "name" they've given to the trait stack they developed and bred into their plants. It's like "Certs mints with Retsyn"...rather than "Certs mints with copper gluconate and flavoring". Anyone can put copper gluconate and flavoring into their mints...they can't call it or market it as Retsyn, though.

    Bookmark   May 25, 2013 at 4:55AM
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Jon.69367(6)

I really appreciate the information in such a knowledgeable way.

    Bookmark   June 4, 2013 at 7:40PM
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