By Pathumwan
Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Hi, Could anyone tell me what is going wrong with my Capsicum peppers, my first time at growing them and the top growing leaves are crinkled and shriveling up. Trevor
- 28 Jun, 2015
Answers
Reminds me of blister mite
28 Jun, 2015
Peppers have many pests that can attack them - I have grown them for years - Most pests can be picked off by hand or treated with soap and water spray -- for your information I have listed a few that may attack your plant
CUTWORMS (Usually damage the seeds)
APHIDS (Damage the leaves, they become distorted & wilt)
FLEA BEETLE (Attack young plants)
CORN BEETLE (These feed inside the fruit) you will see small bore holes on the fruit
HORN WORM (These destroy the foliage
WHITE FLY Extremely destructive to the plant
Check your plant daily for these signs and treat - If you do you will not have a problem
28 Jun, 2015
Thank you but what is the best way to get rid of them ? I can not even see them!
28 Jun, 2015
read my reply -- soap and water spray will get rid of most if not all -- or use a strong jet of water to clean the plant (but not when in flower)
28 Jun, 2015
Thanks for that Triffidkiller I must have sent how to get rid of before you sent your answer. regards Trevor
28 Jun, 2015
Looks like the plant is getting a virus induced leaf wilt.
28 Jun, 2015
Loosestrife2,What is a virus induced leaf wilt? and how do you deal with it ?
28 Jun, 2015
There are viruses (and bacteria and fungi also) that can be transmitted to a plant by many means though insects are very common carriers. Once the virus is inside the plant it multiplies very rapidly in the plants vascular system (the xylem) clogging it up greatly reducing the amount of water and water pressure that gets to the leaves. Once the water pressure goes down the leaves loose their vascular support (turgor pressure)and start to curl due to this lack of support. What follows is a total blockage of the plant vascular system with leaf and plant death. This is not an uncommon problem with tomato and cucumber plants as well as others too. Why did I choose a viral cause? The lack of leaf discoloration was a deciding factor for me though some viruses will cause leaf spot. Once the plant is infected, there is really nothing you can do.
28 Jun, 2015
Loosestrife2 Thank you for an excellent answer. Trevor
28 Jun, 2015
You're Welcome, Trevor.
29 Jun, 2015
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Hi
That looks like aphid damage aka greenfly
28 Jun, 2015