Managing peppers through to maturity
As noted last week, the balance between fruit set and leaf volume can have a major effect on the yield and bearing pattern of a pepper plant through its lifetime.
Fruit and vegetable production with the neighbours
A few years ago, I wrote about the development of fruit and vegetable production in our neighbouring countries – specifically Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Preparing and planting capsicums
Basic fertilisation for capsicums should be adjusted according to a good soil analysis. If you don’t do this, you’ll waste fertiliser and perhaps exacerbate already unbalanced soil fertility.
Raising capsicum seedlings
Capsicum seedlings need to be treated differently from other kinds of seedling.
Fresh produce news
I never cease to be amazed at the versatility of fresh fruit and vegetables, and this week I want to move away from the market floor for a moment and share some news snippets I’ve come across recently.
Producing capsicum seedlings in soil beds
The usual way to grow chillies and peppers is to plant the seed in cavity seed trays with a good growing medium.
Prices continue upwards
High(er) prices might sound like good news for farmers, but it certainly won’t be for beleaguered consumers (who include all of us) as they struggle with increases on a wide front.
Understanding chilli pungency
The pungency or ‘burn’ of a chilli is the result of a complex combination of capsaicinoids that have a different effect depending on which are present and in what combination.
(Mis)managing Markets
Regular readers of this column will know that I’m ascerbic in my criticism of municipalities controlling and managing fresh produce markets.
Chillies, how to make the right choices
Whether dealing with chillies or peppers, you should know what your market requires before choosing a variety.
Practical transformation
In his budget, former Minister Pravin Gordhan allocated large sums to improve the lot of small-scale farmers, while Fetsa Tlala will supposedly “boost domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports”.
Mooketsi Market
It seems that one of my steadfast beliefs about markets has just suffered a blow to the solar plexus, so to speak.
Common pepper species
This week, we take a look at the most important Capsicum species. Some of these vary a great deal from each other, while a number share similar characteristics.
Who will best serve our markets?
Prior to previous elections, I’ve taken the opportunity to offer what I thought was wise counsel concerning the upgrading of SA’s fresh produce markets.
Changeable chillies
There are approximately 22 species of Capsicum, of which five are grown commercially. However, some of these can be crossed with one another to produce different varieties.
A socialist dream in the making?
Once upon a time, the CEO of a certain fresh produce market in South Africa decided that his market would be run differently. He did away with the ‘market agency’.
Marketing fresh produce
TechnoServe South Africa is providing small-scale fruit and vegetable growers, who often have difficulty in finding established markets, with a ready market for their produce. The organisation’s operations director, Mandla Nkomo, talks to Stanley Karombo.
What is a pepper, actually?
Peppers belong to the Capsicum genus (family Solanaceae). It’s when we come to common names that things get confusing.
The Draft Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill – A recipe for failure?
The Draft Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill is somewhere in the pipeline on the way to becoming an Act.
Likely diseases of Swiss Chard
Some diseases of Swiss chard are weather-related. These include Cercospora (leaf spot), downy mildew, mosaic virus, and a fungal disease I have yet to identify.
