Yellowing leaves on pepper plants
Pepper, bell Richmond, VA
I have a purple bell pepper and a jalapeno in a straw bale garden and have noticed that the leaves appear to be yellowing, the plant is not growing much, and now there are some small brown, dry spots on the leaves. The flowers on the plants have yet to open. I have tried Dr. Earth fish/seaweed emulsion thinking it was a nutrient deficiency but now I am thinking that since the bale is dense it may be too much water. Any thoughts? I have a black cherry tomato right next to the peppers that has absolutely taken off and loves being in the bale but the peppers seem to not be taking to it very well.
Any advice would be great!
Any advice would be great!
This image is from yesterday. The previous image was from a couple weeks ago. I'm now hesitating on the overwatering theory because the leaves have gone limp and then I have watered and they've perked back up. There are buds and they've been there for a while now but they aren't opening.
Posted
by: Amanda
(2 points)
Posted: May 25, 2014
Answers
My first reaction is to say not to worry just yet. Peppers take MUCH longer than tomatoes to initially take off. I always get worried at the beginning of the season because I think there is something wrong. Also, yellowing of bottom leaves isn't always a bad sign, but if 1-2 are yellowed and there are only 5-6 leaves then that may be a problem. A picture would be great to further identify if the spots are a disease causing the yellowing, or if they are just taking advantage of previously dying leaves.
Posted
by: Kathryn Fiedler
(72 points)
Posted: May 26, 2014
You may be correct about too much water. Yellowing with dead spots is many times an indication of root rot. Various root damaging pathogens are almost always present in the soil & over watering gives them the opportunity to attack plant roots. If your straw is is particularly wet try watering just enough to keep the plant going, although it may be difficult to grow a health plant once the pathogens have entered the plant.
Posted
by: Sid Roberts
(2 points)
Posted: May 26, 2014
The picture indicates interveinal chlorosis. While this can be caused by iron deficiency (which can also be caused by an excess of other nutrients), at this stage in the plant's life, my bet is on overwatering.
Posted
by: Nicole Castle Brookus
(21 points)
Posted: May 27, 2014
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Can you please post a photo of the leaves? Also, where are you and were the plants recently transplanted into the garden? almost 10 years ago.