Answers to Your Questions: Soil Analysis, Thyme, and Fruitless Peppers

Traditional soil analysis

I would like to know what method was used in the past to analyze soil, that is, before soil analysis kits existed.

Answer

We went there… for the taste! Seriously, acidic soils have a sharp taste and alkaline soils have a mild taste. You can even detect a certain bitterness when a soil is very acidic. Even today, some old-school farmers will put a pinch of soil in their mouths to try to determine its quality.

The presence of certain plants was also believed to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of a soil. For example, it was said that dandelions, plantains, and sorrel preferred acidic soils, while spurge preferred alkaline soils. Unfortunately, these aggressive plants can tolerate almost any soil, so this method has never been very effective.

From Le Soleil, February 2, 2008

Thyme in a flagstone path

I installed a long path using flagstones. Despite their irregular shapes, they were laid very tightly, leaving little space between them. There are a few places where I could plant creeping thyme using small pots sold at nurseries, but how can I plant it when the gap is only a few millimeters wide? Can I sow ground cover thyme?

Answer

Yes, you can sow creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum and others). If you can’t find these seeds at your local nursery, you can easily order them by mail, as several catalogs offer them.

Alternatively, take cuttings from thyme stems: slip the stems into the gaps and keep them moist until they show signs of growth (proof that they have taken root). They usually root very quickly, within a week or two.

From Le Soleil, January 9, 2010

Pepper plant that does not bear fruit

This fall, I brought in a hot pepper plant. It has flowers, but no peppers. What should I do to get it to produce peppers? Also, the leaves have brown spots on them.

Answer

If your hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) is producing flowers, that’s already a good sign. What’s missing is pollination. Chili pepper flowers are normally self-fertile, but inside, the pollen does not detach easily without vibration. So the problem is not that the flower structure prevents self-pollination, but rather that the pollen sticks to the anthers in the absence of wind or insects.

To stimulate fertilization, you can pollinate with a cotton swab or small brush, gently touching the center of each flower to transfer the pollen to the stigma.

You can also use a vibrating object, such as an electric toothbrush, which is a very effective method: simply place the vibrating part on the stem, just behind the flower, for 1 to 2 seconds. The vibration naturally releases the pollen, mimicking the work of insects and promoting fruit formation.

As for the spots, they may be related to the shock of transition from the outdoor garden to indoor conditions. If so, the new leaves that have formed since the plant was brought indoors should be in better condition than the older ones. Otherwise, it may be a leaf disease. Avoid spraying the foliage, as moisture on the leaves promotes the spread of disease.

From Le Soleil, January 10, 2010