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problem with my peppers and problem with web site #879853

Asked August 02, 2024, 9:23 AM EDT

Hello, your "what's wrong with my plant" "more information" buttons are not leading to the links. I'm experiencing leaf disease with my pepper plants. There grown inn a greenhouse and a group of several varieties have tiny sunken bronze color spots that give general appearance of turning beige. I removed all diseased leaves and three days later there were as many again. it is moving fast. not affecting fruit, leaves drop after a few days, well watered, organic, I added compost only when they were planted, so far not affecting adjacent plants. I haven't seen this in my 50 years of gardening. I have searched extensively on line and haven't seen a sample like this. Please advise

Aitkin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Donald,

This looks like some kind of sucking insect damage, perhaps thrips, whiteflies, flea beetles or spider mites. All of these are tiny. Have you checked the underside of the leaves for any tiny bugs?

Here are some pages that might help you:

https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/pepper-bell/infos

https://mgnv.org/plants/veg-herbs/between-rows/beating-the-bugs/june-tomatoes-peppers-pests/

One thing to try is spraying plants with insecticidal soap, making sure to reach the undersides of leaves. Do this in the evening when the sun isn't shining on the greenhouse, or you run the risk of leaves getting burned. By morning the plants should be dry.

Sorry I can't be definitive. Good luck.

MJ Replied August 02, 2024, 11:14 PM EDT
Thanks MJ,

I agree, it looks like insect damage but I am familiar with all those insects and even with a magnifying loop there is nothing in the vicinity. I also checked at night. I reviewed the links and perhaps in case I’m missing something I’ll give them a spray with neem oil and soap. I have to admit that this looks new to me and haven’t found anything like it on line.and my concern is that it is a new bacterial of viral strain and it is spreading fast. Thanks again for your help and hope your garden is doing well! - D

Donald Banaszak


On Aug 2, 2024, at 11:14 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied August 03, 2024, 10:18 AM EDT

Good luck Donald. I looked a long time online and could not find anything like the damage you're seeing. But I do think it's insect damage. I hope your spraying works!

MJ Replied August 03, 2024, 4:18 PM EDT

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