Growing capsicum in polyhouse - my experience

[amansohaney]

@Viks

Aman,
i m mostly to catering local and dadar market. then there are some links i am using to supply to pune and delhi also.

my marketing is in place, as i am doing this since almost 4 yrs now. initially i had to call people and beg them to buy my produce. now that people are aware of the quality and quantity i can produce, i have bookings and tie-ups.

for exports, did some partial shipments to italy, sri lanka, japan and germany along with my grapes. the only problem is that i do not have quantity for FCL. will be shipping outside as long as grapes are going out, then after mangoes will start, and then wait for my third site to be completed so i can ship individually.

there are a few exporters i know in Nasik and Mumbai. will give you their contact details and you can check with them.
Exporters normally prefer local produce, so it stays fresh for longer, as compared to produce coming from Gujarat and bangalore.

we have our own little group of farmers for capsicum or for any vegetable for that matter. and we are in the process of doing planned farming for certain vegetables so as to have an year round production. it will take time, but once the system is in place, it would be one of a group, similar model to that of Mr. Verghese Kurien.

theres also a farmer club from where i did my training, even these guys help farmers directly retail / export their produce. they are called “Abhinav farmers club” and are pune based. from all that i know, they have about 800 farmers registered with them, and are pretty good in what they do.
i personally have never worked with them.

there must be many such groups about whom we do not know.

i also have lots of things planned, and in process… lets see how they go.

vvk

Nice

I will talk to the buyers, once you send me the numbers

Also you were telling that you were selling your produce to indore and bhopal market
If you still have those numbers, please send it to me because these markets are pretty close to my setup, i can try and talk to them as well

Aman

[saravanakumargcses]

@Viks

Prashant,
there is some gentleman who makes the kit for motors to directly run on solar, no storage device. i had some interaction with him here on Farmnest only.

the main reason i backed out of the solar project was the cost (of the storage devices) and direct running on solar can be troublesome during rains etc.

and theres nothing wrong if you are day dreaming, half the time i m in that phase too. i too had many ideas when i started, but once u start doing your daily routine, you actually come up with more economical ideas which give you same results u know.

my point is that using solar power is the bestest deal, but there are many other costs which come along, and then i didnt feel like getting the systems installed cause they were very expensive. we as individual farmers cant afford such systems.

and Prashant you missed out on Orange and Chocolate color sweet pepper. ’

vvk

@Viks

Hey Prashant,

check farmnest.com/forum/farm-showcase … rdseen#new

@ Vivek

Thank you for referring me here to Mr.Prashant.

@ Prashant

Yes, we do offer solar pumping solutions that are retrofit to existing pumps & also, undertake turnkey solution that includes low voltage AC specialty pumps typically meant to be used in solar + grid compatible operation.

Please remember, the cost of the project would vary depending on the complexity of the requirement as well as bill of materials used.

Also,

I should admit that solar is viable as on date only to who 1)Dont have grid power 2)Erratic or irregular grid power 3)Are running DG 4)who pay electricity charges for water pumping.

Anyways, when you have requirement kindly do let us know, we shall offer our best for you to see, if its meeting your needs.

All the best!

Best Regards.

[yesamrat]

@ak

HELLO Mr VIKS good evening to all . i was engaged in some other works. that is the reason. i was sad to know that sudden changes in climate is having some bad effects on ur plants. i hope that u had rectified the problems. i came to know abt a new type of training system for tomato plants. i think that it will be useful for you— capsicum specialists. i will post some pic on monday.

Dear Mr. AK, anxiously awaiting the pics of tomato plantation with new training system
Now you know, not only Viks but many more ppl waiting to hear from you

Regards,
Samrat

[ak1]

hello friends-- abt this type of training tomato plants.
i couldnot get the pictures for u. i have drawn the pictures. i am very poor in drawing.
i think that this type of training is useful for indeterminate type of tomatoes which may grow upto five to eight meters when grown with a single stem.

1. a movable hook with provision for winding the thread is hanged from a support at he top [ pipe or iron wire]
2. thread from the thread holder is attached to the plant
3. after the plant grows upto a workable height [ may be 4 to 5 feet] the thread holder is moved to one side [ right side]for about 2 feet [ approximately]. now the tip of the plant moves to right side by 2 feet. the leaves in the bottom portion are removed. the bottom portion of the plant will lie on the floor or on the grow bags.
4. all the plants are moved likewise.
   by this all the plants will always be at a fixed height ------ most of the weight of the plant will be on the soil or grow bag------the plants may be allowed to grow even upto 20 or 25 feet without any problem.
   i hope that i had explained it properly. friends pleas discuss abt the pros and cons of this method
   
   
   
   
   
   

[ak1]

clip for thread

[ak1]

plants attached with thread — first step

[amansohaney]

Hey ak

I totally understand this system, because sometime back me and one of the member was discussing abt the same system with viks
It works great, i have seen lot of this stuff being used in gujrat
Pros will be that height can be managed easily and for harvesting one doesnt have to climb up, the bunches are at a manageable height
Cons are, when the plant rests on the soil thr are more chances of fungus attack and rotting

Aman

[Viks]

Mr.Ak,
thankyou for the visuals. and yes, your drawing is horrible but thankyou for the pain taken. very much appreciated.

Aman had posted some pictures of the clips. i think i understood as to how they should be used after i saw ur visuals.
my problem is that i have plantation at 1 feet, and two such rows on each bed. then each plant has 4-5 shoots. and the plants are like 8-10 feet tall. my worry is -

• at what height should i put the string/rod?
• wont the plants create a canopy once they cross the string/rod height ?
• as capsicum plants grow on the top edge. so do i will have to adjust the knot on the plant to match the growth, or put an additional string for support ?

in the traditional method, i can tie individual strings for each branch and then keep training the branches on their individual string.
i dono, but i find this method the easiest, no additional cost. maybe this is because i have well trained labor for support work and/or i dont want to invest in the system.
the traditional method works really good for me.

theres also this ring type clamp system, again Aman had posted pictures. so people are using that method, people are using the clamp system (which you posted) and then people are using the traditional method. every individual selects the best suited method based on the resources they have.

vvk

[amansohaney]

Hey viks

Just an observation

I dont think this system is viable for capsicum because what i have noticed is that the main branch of capsicum is very stiff and hence will break if its bent, on the other hand this system mainly works for tomato as it can bend in one direction when the plant grows taller than the polyhouse height and hence the crop is manageable !!

This system and hooks were mainly invented for tomato polyhouse farmers, because the indeterminate tomato varieties grows upto 17-18 feet

Aman

[ak1]

hi VIKS & AMAN good evening ---- yes this system will be more suitable for indeterminate type of tomatoes. that too with single stem only . all the side shoots must be pruned.
one doubt— in capsicum— what are u doing when the plant reaches the top of the training system ? you cant bend it as it will break the stem— will u be pinching the top and induce side branches from the bottom?
pl explain

[Viks]

Evening Mr.Ak,
my plants dont grow taller than the support.
the top support is at a height of about 18 feet. so it never happens that the plants cross that height.

incase the support is lower, the plant will grow side ways and form a canopy.

vvk

[Chandra]

Hi vvk,

Would it cause any issues if the height is less - let us say just 8 feet for capsicum?
Is there a way to prune the growth without negative impact?

Thanks,
Chandra

[Viks]

Hi Chandra,

its not a problem if the support height is less, the plants will reach the height and spread side ways. the only problem is that it becomes a mess as all the plants get tangled. also at times they might break due to weight or while spraying etc. then there are infestation and uneven spraying issues etc.

pruning is not so good an idea at a later stage. i have done some pruning, but the new shoots look very weak and have less buds on them. i am guessing this is because my plants have gotten weak. i have heard that a person has 3 yrs old capsicum plants and he keeps pruning them. that works on 1 out of 100 plants. but when we are talking about mass, its not practical, nor advisable.

vvk

[Viks]

i almost forgot about the fishes in the water pond.
caught a fish today and it looks ready for harvesting.

added the baby fishes in august last year, and today is a different day. hardly any investment.

the point is that i cant totally rely on one single activity (capsicum). need to make the best from all the resources i have.

vvk

[pandu]

hi vivek,

i contacted my SHM department in my region. they are not providing any subsidy in my district . can i get any benefits from NHM even though SHM is not providing subsidy ?? please advice me

Thanks…
-Pandu

[amansohaney]

Hello viks

Have noticed some problems in my capsicum plot
Sharing them here, please provide your views

1. Majorly noticed that the plants base isnt that strong because the few that are still to be tied are falling to the ground

2. Roots hasn’t developed because i can see them right on top of the beds, not exactly showing but yea they are on top. Havent gone down vertically ( probably thats one reason its not holding the plant properly )

3. Noticed upward curling and shrinking of leaves in 1-2 plants

4. Noticed a hole in a fruit, when i plucked it and broke it into 2. Could see a dead black pest in it.

5. On the same plant their was a fruit which had yellowish rotting on it

6. Also, i have 5-7 branches in each plant majorly because i think i did topping in the starting. What do you think i should do? Should i remove the others are maintain 4 branches each plant or i should let them give me fruits. Because at this point they have already started fruiting (all the branches )

What do you think is the reason of all these problems ? Please provide the solutions

There are not many but very few so i think it can be controlled much easily.

Aman

[Viks]

1. Majorly noticed that the plants base isnt that strong because the few that are still to be tied are falling to the ground - this will surely happen. the plants wont stand on their own, thats why the support is needed. this is totally normal. dont worry, just get the support work done asap.

2. Roots hasn’t developed because i can see them right on top of the beds, not exactly showing but yea they are on top. Havent gone down vertically ( probably thats one reason its not holding the plant properly ) - this is normal again. if possible post some visuals.

3. Noticed upward curling and shrinking of leaves in 1-2 plants - i am doubting this is thrives, unless you can see the veins in the leaves. post pictures so we can be in a better position to figure what it is.

4. Noticed a hole in a fruit, when i plucked it and broke it into 2. Could see a dead black pest in it. - what type of pest ? boll worms ?

5. On the same plant their was a fruit which had yellowish rotting on it - are these spots ? or even yellowishness all over the fruit ?

6. Also, i have 5-7 branches in each plant majorly because i think i did topping in the starting. What do you think i should do? Should i remove the others are maintain 4 branches each plant or i should let them give me fruits. Because at this point they have already started fruiting (all the branches ) - this is also normal. i would keep the fruits initially and then later decide upon as and when the quality gets affected. all the 5-7 shoots wont grow strong and tall. take the production and then later remove the weak ones.

Aman, for better understanding, plz post pictures so we can be more precise, instead of guessing.

and also if you could share your fertigation and pesticide schedule for the last 10-15 days, we could suggest what is missing and what needs to be taken.

vvk

[Viks]

Hi Mr.Pandu,
i am not aware of the SHM. i know NHM (National Horticulture Board) which is central government and i know NHM (National Horticulture Mission) which is state government.

you will have to check with the concerned body for the project and subsidy, as they have their own rules and regulations.

if you could tell your location, we can check further.

vvk

[Viks]

A Grade Capsicum - Rs 13/kg
B Grade Capsicum - Rs 9/kg

[amansohaney]

@Viks

1. Majorly noticed that the plants base isnt that strong because the few that are still to be tied are falling to the ground - this will surely happen. the plants wont stand on their own, thats why the support is needed. this is totally normal. dont worry, just get the support work done asap.

2. Roots hasn’t developed because i can see them right on top of the beds, not exactly showing but yea they are on top. Havent gone down vertically ( probably thats one reason its not holding the plant properly ) - this is normal again. if possible post some visuals.

3. Noticed upward curling and shrinking of leaves in 1-2 plants - i am doubting this is thrives, unless you can see the veins in the leaves. post pictures so we can be in a better position to figure what it is.

4. Noticed a hole in a fruit, when i plucked it and broke it into 2. Could see a dead black pest in it. - what type of pest ? boll worms ?

5. On the same plant their was a fruit which had yellowish rotting on it - are these spots ? or even yellowishness all over the fruit ?

6. Also, i have 5-7 branches in each plant majorly because i think i did topping in the starting. What do you think i should do? Should i remove the others are maintain 4 branches each plant or i should let them give me fruits. Because at this point they have already started fruiting (all the branches ) - this is also normal. i would keep the fruits initially and then later decide upon as and when the quality gets affected. all the 5-7 shoots wont grow strong and tall. take the production and then later remove the weak ones.

Aman, for better understanding, plz post pictures so we can be more precise, instead of guessing.

and also if you could share your fertigation and pesticide schedule for the last 10-15 days, we could suggest what is missing and what needs to be taken.

vvk

I should have posted the pictures

Sorry

Will post them tomorrow

Yellowishness is like spots not evenly throughout the fruit

Havent seen the boll worm het. So cannot comment, but their were holes, so i took it as fruit borer and took a precautionary spray of fipronil 1ml

Aman