Q.Green Peppers Turned Soft
My greenhouse green peppers growing in a container with a tomato plant were doing fine until a few days ago. I had pinched off the first starts as plants were small. The plants had grown and seemed to be doing fine, about 2-3 inches round and growing. A few days ago I noticed some looked wilted and soft, so I plucked off and added some fish fertilizer to the soil. Today more are soft but plants do look better. We have had some odd weather where it went from cold/hot/cold. Could this be the problem? Is it too much or not enough water? Water sometimes gets on the foliage. Should I water the soil only? Would appreciate your help before losing all my peppers. Also, in another area and pot I have younger plants not growing as well that have brown bugs that I have sprayed with soap. Is that ok? They do not have mature peppers yet, as they are still too small.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It sounds like a pollination issue. If the peppers are not properly pollinated, they will get soft and drop off the plant at about that size. Peppers and tomatoes pollinate in the same way, so this article will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/pollinate-tomatoes.htm
Yes, treating the plants with soap is fine. Just make sure to use a soap that does not have bleach. Many are starting to add that and it will kill the plants.
