[pondgardener]

The attached photo shows some Goliath peppers that came from a couple of plants with what looks like a tan brown area completely encircling the bottom third of the pepper with the same condition appearing on others in a more localized area. It has been very warm this summer, with almost non-existent rain, but I have kept them watered, mulched and have applied calcium nitrate at regular intervals. I have about a dozen total plants, with just two having this condition and not affecting all the fruit, mainly the lower ones. Resembles sun scald, but they are not exposed to the direct sun. Any ideas?