I decided to check on my chili plant root growth. As some of you already know that I always have blossom end rot before the chilis can turn red and this is the biggest problem for me with chilis. This plant gave me 2 lots of beautiful red chilis before the ugly blossom end rot start again . Yes I do feed it with calcium and epsom salt. Let's have a look at the roots. The amount of roots to me looks very little for a plant this size. Errr ... my foot is there for size comparison I am a size 8. Let me know what you think, thanks. No, I did not compost it yet but I replanted it in fresh new potting soil and hope it will regrow.
That doesn't look normal to me! Here is one of mine in October. I don't know the plant pathogens and pests in your climate, @KK Ng but if I had to guess, I would guess either fungal root rot or nematodes. Does this happen every year in your garden, or is it new?
Thanks Daniel. Your roots looks lovely and that is what I would expect. I always plant them in the containers and this is the first time I decide to check below ground level why I cannot get good chili. Yes it happen all the time, the blossom end rot. OK I am going to prepare a bed on the ground and grow a plant. At the moment I have 3 pots of seedling going on. Thanks again for the photo of you plant.
KK - I don't know if this is a help or not. I'm wondering if you checked the PH of your soil? Last year when I grew some tomatoes, I had a similiar problem. As well as some leeks. I was using almost solely seaweed fertiizer, and the "too much of a good thing" led to poor root development in those plants. Very similiar looking to your root system.
Melody thank you so much for your input. I don't use NPK, only compost, egg shells and Epsom salt. PH? no I do not check it. I refuse to get a ph meter because it so costly here. Maybe I'll have better luck next year.
It had to have had more roots to support the growth above ground. Do you have any underground critters. Looks like something could be munchin on the roots. Squirrels and mice, gophers are notorious root munchers in my garden. it’s a shocking scene when I see a plant shaking like it’s in a wind storm and there’s no wind!
No Pacrnorwest, I planted it in a pot and I check the soil for beetle grubs or any other critter that could have eaten the roots. Thanks for your input.
