Have you ever gotten large pods from these plants? It's possible that they're a smaller variety. Other than that, how often do you fertilize and what size containers?

Josh

Probably off-season blooms that matured before their time. It's happened to me before many times when the frost didn't kill the plants and they made it into a 2nd spring. If they're in containers, I'd pinch all pods and get them in larger containers. If in ground, I'd just pinch all pods.

Kevin

Agree with Kevin. We three are in similar zones. It's happened to me too.

Stoney

@ Josh, yes I have had some really nice 2"-3" Pods, but not for the last few weeks. There are 4 plants in a raised bed 2'x2'x12' with a soil mixture of native sand & MG planting mix. They get a feeding of MG liquid 12-4-8 every other week.

@kevin, "pinch all pods"?...

Since my post I have had the time to read through the forum a little more. What kind of fertilizer do you all use? The plants are a little "pale" this morning.

Thanx for the input

Palm: Yes. Harvest them. Once they start changing color, they're not going to get any bigger.. So, harvest.

As far as ferts, sounds fine what you're using. But for my in-grounds(like yours), I add 2-3 inches of compost a couple months before planting along with a sprinkling of bone meal. Then, at planting, I add some cottonseed(or feather) and some kelp meal. Throughout the season, I side dress with a bit more each of the meals at each fruiting stage and maybe an occasional dose of fish ferts and/or compost tea. I also mulch and till that in in the winter.

Speaking of mulch, the summer must really slow down your production. A couple things that may help --- compost HEAVILY and shade cloth -- let them get direct sun in the morn or evening and then shade them during those HOT hours. Try to keep the soil "somewhat" cool and your plants will thank you by putting out blossoms.

Kevin