Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 6540 Location: New England (In the US of A)
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 22 12:10 pm Post subject:
Two plants, but how many leaders? If they're meant to be large fruited you may want to consider that ratio....
I do two leaders per plant on all but my cherry type plants, and that's with ample space in a full sun location.
i should probably pull the big lavender in a pot out from behind it, although the venerable old thing is thriving in an unusual setting
sgt.colon
Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 7380 Location: Just south of north.
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 22 7:54 am Post subject:
They are looking nice and healthy.
I've had blossom end rot on a few of the first fruits to come though. I've changed the watering can I've been using, so I'm hoping that will solve that issue.
Slim
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 6540 Location: New England (In the US of A)
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 22 9:34 am Post subject:
There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings surrounding blossom end rot. Supplementing calcium typically doesn't work, as it's usually already available in the soil.
Usually happens on first fruit set because root system isn't big enough to keep up with demands of top growth yet. Helps to ensure that moisture availability is consistent. Shading this time of the year may also help.
Another management strategy is to start pruning off your lower leaves if the plants are getting big and lush.
Good reading on the topic here: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/growing-vegetables-managing-blossom-end-rot-fact-sheet-0
(Though written in the context of the northeast US)
im not as technical but removing lower shade leaves and keep the soil moist and the tops dry often gives a decent result if the base is a bit clammy or dark
Slim
Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 6540 Location: New England (In the US of A)
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 22 11:34 am Post subject:
Once the lower leaves are mostly shaded by upper leaves they also stop contributing to sugar production as much, and could just be metabolic deadweight, respiring sugars the productive leaves getting light are making. So long as there is healthy top growth, there is rarely a downside to pruning out shaded lower leaves. Also helps to slow the progression of early blight and septoria leaf blight.
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