Posted by: @mmbc168

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Hey pepper guru! I had a question about the pepper fundamentals. You said always look for a 3-1-2 ratio for the fertilizer, but then you mention balanced (10-10-10) fertilizers. When is the time to use each? I typically feed weekly, but you say feed every watering. Is that every other day for you?

Thank you so much! 

Great question!

3-1-2 is my preferred starting point, and that general ratio is represented across a lot of horticultural plants.

Capsicum research also supports keeping plenty of Nitrogen throughout the season for growth, flowering and fruiting. Not treating N as "just the leaf nutrient". 

10-10-10 will work to roughly cover this ratio if your substrate is already supplying plenty of N. You're mostly just adding more P than the plant finds necessary. 

I keep things simple for most new growers: somewhere around 3-1-2 to 1-1-1 is a great starting range and VERY easy for most people to find at big box stores.

Your substrate ultimately determines what you need to add. 

I make sure there is nutrient in every single watering session, just very dilute. Think small frequent meals, not a full weekly dose everyday.

Grow 'em big,

Rich

@pepper-guru that is very helpful. Thank you!