Can Pepper Plants Swim?

[so lucky]

I'm getting worried about the pepper plants in my garden. They have been standing in water for about 3 days, and it looks like we will have another 2 or 3 days of rain, and 45 degree nights. I tried diverting the water away from them the other day, but it didn't work too well. They are planted lower than the rest of the garden, but it is all so water logged, lots of clay. Do you think they will rot in this cold wet weather?

 

[Dave2000]

There are two primary problems. One is that the soil will compact too much and the roots will rot. The second is that once the water drains away it will still be very humid and the soil surface will stay wet a long time, leading to fungal growth.

I wouldn't worry too much about cold weather but unfortunately they may not survive.

 

[baymule]

I hope they make it. You might have to buy some plants to replace them.

 

[Carol Dee]

When it rains it pours Like Bay said you may have to replace a few. I had planted some flowers in a pot that did not have enough drainage and after the last rain they where literally swimming. Floating anyway. I carefully lifted them out and put them in a new pot with good drain holes and fresh potting soil. Would you be able to dig them up and set them in pots until things dry a bit. (At least a few.)

 

[Smart Red]

So lucky asked if pepper plants can swim. Good answers, guys. I especially like the dig and move to higher ground for a while one.

Pepper plants can tread water for a short time, but swimming is beyond them. Neither can they run away from hungry mice. My old pepper seeds germinated and I was so pleased that I wouldn't have to purchase new seed or plants. The morning after I first noticed the seedlings growing, they were gone! I suspect a house mouse with a taste for TexMex.

I can't keep cats in the house and they can't keep mice out.

 

[so lucky]

These were some I grew from seed. I may try lifting them out of the ground a little, once it stops pouring down rain. (just lift out a shovel full and let it dry out some) Never had this problem before. Looks like the tomatoes are treading water, too. Glad I didn't plant beans yet. I hate global warming!

 

[journey11]

If you don't have too many to mess with, you might try potting them up. They do well in pots.

 

[catjac1975]

I would dig them up. I don't think you need to pot them up. Just put them in a tray until the deluge passes and the soil drys a bit. Does this happen often? I have sandy soil so this never happens. Of course my soil dries out very rapidly and I need to water quite a bit when the plant are young.

 

[baymule]

We got 4 1/2" of rain, followed by 1" of rain over two nights. I have 2 tomato plants planted in a low spot and I think they got steamed. They looked good, and in the space of about an hour, both drooped over and looked wilted. Hope they make it.

 

[bills]

Could you dig trench's along side the plants, that is deeper than the root system? Water should naturally drain into the trench, leaving the roots quite a bit drier.
This is one advantage in raised beds. In your case you need to lower the ground around them, to create this same advantage.