When moving the peppers inside, we expected them to start wilting and dying from shock of the sudden environmental change. However, we hoped that they would continue to thrive and that we'd get some more produce out of them. Luckily, it seemed as if our hopes were becoming more of a reality than a wish.
After about a week or so, the condition of the plants actually seemed to get better than when they were outside. Notably, the serrano pepper plant started to grow more leaves and even started blossoming some flowers. However, none of the flowers ever produced any peppers. They only wilted and died. Every time a flower blossomed, I would get excited that a pepper may come, but then when it didn't, I became very disappointed. This disappointment I was feeling sparked some curiosity. Why were the flowers dying before they produced anything? After researching some, I found my answer. Even though pepper plants are self-fertilizing plants, they sometimes require assistance from their environment. This assistance usually comes from the wind or bees. They assist in shaking the pollen around in the flowers, thus pollinating the flowers (De Jauregui). Because they are inside, there's no outside factors like these to assist in the process. This led me to my second question. How can I help pollinate the flowers so that I can actually get some produce out of it? With some more research, I discovered that it only takes a simple flick or shake of the flower to move the pollen around enough to begin the pollinating process (Epler). I was extremely excited when I found this out, because I thought maybe I could solve the problem that was irritating me the most. There was one flower left on the serrano plant, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I was a little too harsh with the flower, and I flicked it right off the stem. My simple solution turned into another curve ball.
After a few more weeks, I noticed some more changes. The cayenne pepper plant was starting to turn brown and all its leaves had fallen off. I was really hoping this one would make it because it had produced the most peppers out of all the others. As it started to die, I was again feeling disappointed that it wasn't surviving and I couldn't save it. The only thing I was able to do was pick off the remaining four peppers. Even though I was upset about it, I realized that there was nothing I could do about it, and that I had to just let it go and move on. It's unfortunate, but at the same time it was inevitable.
During the time I've had this garden, I've experienced a roller coaster of thoughts and emotions. It may seem strange to someone that a simple vegetable garden can cause so many emotions, but I don't think you'll ever understand some of the struggles that a garden comes with until you care for your own. It's a lot of sitting around, watching, waiting, and hoping. You hope for produce, healthy plants, no bugs, and perfect conditions. That would be the easy way, but it doesn't always work like that. You set your expectations high and hope for the best possible outcome. Unfortunately, the curve balls you wanted to avoid always seem to hit you at some point.
Everyone goes through ups and downs in their
life. But what amount of strength does it take to get over things? I
believe all your strength comes from the mindset you give yourself. If you
believe it, then you are capable of achieving it. And I think that's what
really makes you stand strong against the curve balls and hardships that life
throws in your direction, because even though sometimes it may seem like it,
it's never the end of the world.
Works Cited
De Jauregui, Ruth. "Pollination of Pepper Plants Without Bees." Home Guides. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.
Epler, Melinda Briana. "Gardening 101: How To Hand-Pollinate Tomatoes And Peppers." Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 22 Aug. 2008. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.
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