[CH] Pepper Plant Deaths
K Mak (kmak@sympatico.ca)
Mon, 01 Jun 1998 23:10:07 -0400
I was hoping someone could help me with this major problem:
This winter I started Jalepeno, Serrano, Ancho and Bell Pepper plants from
seed. They were in fantastic shape when I transplanted them into the
garden last week. (I live in the Southern Ontario region). Within days
some of the leaves started turning a whitish silver, then the affected
leaves became limp and wilted, eventually falling off. I pulled some of
the leaves off, but otheres started turning. They have spread to almost
all the peppers, and they are dying. All my work over the winter has gone
for naught.
Does anyone know what is causing this, and how I can fix it so I can at
least go to the nursery and buy some already started plants before it is
too late to plant anything?
I grew peppers in the same spot the last 2 years and have had no real
problems. I know about planting in consecutive years but I have no choice
since I have no other room for them. Disease has not been a problem in the
past. I add fresh compost and a sterilized fertilizer each year for
nutrients.
The only thing I didn't do was expose them to direct sunlight before
transplanting. I left them outside for a few days to harden off but they
were under an area free from direct sunlight and mostly sheltered from the
wind. I did grow the plants under grow lights, so maybe they were more
sensitive than in other years when I put them by a window?
I posted to rec.gardens and got some responses ranging from sunburn to
disease.
PS Tomatoes are also planted in the same general area but so far seem
unaffected.
This is truly a tragedy.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks