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peppers

elaine172elaine172 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Why are my peppers turning all black

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    A hello wouldn't have gone amiss ;) were they exposed to any sudden cold weather? 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    What variety are they? Some types turn a very dark red/bronze ... almost purple, as they ripen. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • elaine172elaine172 Posts: 4
    they are capsicum california wonder. the plants are very healthy. the peppers are still firm and growing. they have not been exposed to very low temperatures. some peppers are still green while others have turned completely black. thank you for any advice.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think they’re just ripening. California Wonder can be harvested when they’re green, red, brown or even dark purple/blackish. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree, I have some 'rainbow mix' bell peppers some of which start green, spend much of their time black while growing and then eventually ripen to a deep red.  The very dark ones are supposed to be higher in antioxidants so even better for you.  Others start green, turn pale yellow then ripen to red.  Other than that, the plants all look identical to each other (and to Californian Wonder, as it happens.)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • elaine172elaine172 Posts: 4
    thank you very much for the advice.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Green + red = black.  In art class, of course.  But the same thing in nature.. the red is appearing while the green chlorophyll in still in the fruit.. making it black.  Once the chlorophyll goes, the red will remain.  It should go a shade of maroon between.  
    Utah, USA.
  • elaine172elaine172 Posts: 4
    Thank you very much. This is my first attempt at growing peppers. It is good to know that all is still well and I shall watch how the colour develops.
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