July - Sunscald

After many months of what has seemed like continuous rain, overcast days and the dreaded slugs, my little babies now face another problem – too much sun!!

Several of my young plants in the chilehouse have suffered horrendous damage caused by the intense mid day sun. Curling and yellowing leaves are the most visible signs of sunscald and the more shade loving varieties like Rocoto and some of the wild species have been particularly badly affected.

To prevent any more of my plants getting cooked alive, I put up some net shading on the south side of the chile house. This has also helped reduce the daytime temperature from 40oC (even with the vents open) to a more chile friendly 30-35oC. It should also help cut down the amount of time I seem to spend these days watering the plants, particularly the ones in smaller containers and terracota plant pots which dry out quickly.

I’m hoping that the most badly affected victims will still survive, as the stems look OK. Cremated leaves can be replaced, scorched stems usually mean impending death.