[surbie100]

I have noticed that, while most of my chillies have smooth stems, the rocotos have hairy stems exactly like tomato seedlings and I bet they would benefit from burying deeper.

I do usually do as beesrus and others do, burying a little deeper, but when I get rid of dying plants I have noticed that the roots don't start till part-way down the pot. So I'm a bit sceptical about the possible extra rooting.

[gobs]

The original issue here was the legginess - I'm guessing - not the rooting.

I do not pinch either.

[Totty]

To be blunt, the guy that seems to know his stuff, simply doesn't. Bury them.

Totty

[adri123]

To be blunter...I think you're wrong Totty!

I agree with surbie100 that the rocotos look like they could benefit as mine also have similar 'hairy' stems to tomatos and those hairs might root just like toms.  peppers and chillis though???  No hairs so no stem rooting is my opinion.

I'd be happy to be proved wrong but if the argument is that burying stems encourages the buried stems to put out roots I vote no!

Adri

Edit...Adding quote from other forum...

"....Yes, but the pepper plant must be young with a stem that hasn't significantly lignified yet. This i have seen with my own eyes.

Burying a lignified stem too deep is actually bad for a pepper plant now that i remember. It starts to rot from within, and the outer "skin" of the stem separates from the inner core...."

[beesrus]

I've noticed sweet corn are liable to send out new roots above the soil line, but they're not that hairy..... much

[gobs]

To be blunter...I think you're wrong Totty!

I agree with surbie100 that the rocotos look like they could benefit as mine also have similar 'hairy' stems to tomatos and those hairs might root just like toms.  peppers and chillis though???  No hairs so no stem rooting is my opinion.

I'd be happy to be proved wrong but if the argument is that burying stems encourages the buried stems to put out roots I vote no!

Adri

Edit...Adding quote from other forum...

"....Yes, but the pepper plant must be young with a stem that hasn't significantly lignified yet. This i have seen with my own eyes.

Burying a lignified stem too deep is actually bad for a pepper plant now that i remember. It starts to rot from within, and the outer "skin" of the stem separates from the inner core...."

As I pointed out earlier, we are far from the stage when the stems would be woody.

Blunt or not, Totty is correct ( and others).

From commercial growers manual:

"First transplanting: Into the rockwool blocks

At approximately 2 weeks after seeding, when the first true leaves are visible, the seedlings are transplanted into the larger rockwool cubes. The rockwool blocks are well wetted with full strength feed solution, E.C. 2.5 mmhos at approximately 23°C, prior to transplanting. The seedling rockwool plug is rotated 90 degrees as the seedling is placed into the rockwool cube (Figure 25). This allows for more root development along the length of the young stem.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/opp4523

[gavinjconway]

These two random sites on google say Totty is right on the mark...

https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/plantdetail.php?id=chilli_pepper

http://www.jfunk.org/extras/labs/chillies.html

[adri123]

Sticking with no bury.

 

[gobs]

A good point, well made.

[Totty]

Not only do they root better they make better, more compact plants when planted deeper. Less prone to rocking means less chance of rotting off at the base.

Totty

[adri123]

Sticks fingers in ears....na na na na na....not listening!

 

[Totty]

 

[gavinjconway]

Totty I think this thread is now dead....   

[adri123]

Yes, dead....and you're all wrong!!!

 

[gavinjconway]

Totty - should we gang up and do some trials with photograhic evidence... ??