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Curling pepper leaves #871668

Asked June 05, 2024, 9:16 AM EDT

I have a variety of peppers: Ají Rico, Fooled you Jalapeño, Mini Belle, Alliance (bell pepper). Almost all of them have curling leaves and I’m trying to figure out if I need to do something to fix it. I applied composted horse manure about a month before planting my seedlings (and tilled it). When planting the seedlings I used Bumper Crop 4-6-3 fertilizer. About 2 weeks ago I gave the plants some fish fertilizer because they were yellowing after so much rain. When they were seedlings I bought new grow lamps. I didn’t realize they were quite hot and I think I may have had them too close to the plants. My tomato leaves curled while inside but bounced back once I learned what I was doing and moved them further from the heat. My research tells me either a calcium deficiency or too much watering. I have scaled back the watering (trying to go off the rule of sticking my finger in the dirt 1 inch). Should I try some bone meal? (I did just do the 4-6-3 fertilizer again yesterday, 4 weeks since I planted). Or would I need to do a soil test for that? Or any other suggestions for the curling leaves? It’s happening in both my potted peppers and the ones in the ground. Thank you!

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi- your plants look relatively healthy. Minor feeding by aphids, thrips, or psyllids (insects with sucking mouthparts) may have caused the cupping/curling symptom. Closely examine upper and lower leaf surfaces for signs of insect activity. No control is needed. Slugs, caterpillars, or beetles sometimes feed on leaf edges or make holes in leaves. Again, the symptoms on your plants are minor. Let us know if symptoms change or worsen.

Fertilize mid-summer when plants are fruiting. For now, remove all flower buds, flowers, and tiny fruits to help establish large plants and root systems that will produce fruits until frost. High summer heat can cause blossom and fruit drop. The majority of fruit production usually happens in the late summer in gardens receiving full sun.

Have your soil tested sometime this year to get baseline information on soil pH and nutrient and organic matter levels.
Jon

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