Re: [CH] Cracked pods
jim@wildpepper.com
Mon, 01 Sep 2003 17:29:05 -0500
Hi John!
I don't believe the water is 'forced up' into the chiles by pressure.
Capillary action (and another term I can't think of at the moment) are
responsible for getting the water up there. The pods form according to
the conditions present at the time. In hydroponic or continuous drip
situations, the pods grow and develop with a set water level that
doesn't change. In the 'wild' (I've had tremendous problems with
cracked pods before, esp japs) during a drought the pod cells set under
'dry' conditions. When water is introduced, they swell and burst.
Imagine building a house out of green, wet lumber. Since the house was
built from the ground up that way, everything fits and all is right with
the world. You add a ton of water and nothing happens because max water
was present from the very start of the house. Build the same house out
of kiln dried lumber & you get the picture. Add a little water & the
house bursts apart- it wasn't 'built' for the water when you started.
This help the understanding any?
-Jim C
Mild to Wild(R) Who only needs to worry about his chiles floating away,
not cracking, this season.