Message Boards

My red pepper plant has started drooping a few weeks ago. It was fine when I first planted it and a few weeks thereafter. Now it just droops all day long and is pathethic looking. I am not overwatering or underwatering it. I think it is sensitive to the hot weather and strong sun perhaps. (dunno, as this is the very first time I have planted peppers) The leaves are all green. I noticed that it is wilting even in the shade and when the sun isn't out at all. I just checked this morning before the sun came out, and it was still all wilted. The 'matas right next to it are doing fine. I am assuming this is normal behavior of peppers. Is it? Thanks!!!

Wavy, I don't think this is normal pepper behavior. The peppers should perk up overnight when the temps cool...and certainly when you water them. They are like peace lilies, they will let you know when they need a drink.....they get all wilty and sad looking.

Check your plant to see if there are little webs which would indicate spider mites or some other varmit attacking the plant.

ve

I agree w/VE...you have some other kind of problem than water.
Could be lots of things...so inspect carefully! Could even be something in the soil.

Your peppers leaves are wilting because they are loosing water, moisture, faster then the roots can supply it. During hot, dry weather that is normal plant behavior, so even if you watered more that may not help. Some shade may. Also check your soils moisture level to be sure it is adequate, rather than depend on the "I am not over or under watering" feeling. Those plants most likely need a lot more water than normal.

Thanks Kimm, but no, that is not the reason for the wilting. I water them quite adequately with a Hose and I think I may even be giving them too much water, so now I will watch it. I decided Vera was absolutely right, that there WAS something definitely wrong with my pepper plant. After lots of reading on-line, I determined the probable cause of the wilting pepper plant. I am positive it contracted a "Wilt Fungus". There are a few that are common with peppers and my pepper plant had all the symptoms described. It said to remove the plant so it wouldn't spread, so I went out that afternoon to pull it out. It was even deader than it was that morning. This time it was starting to turn brownish. So I pulled it out and the tomatoes next to it are still doing fine. (knock wood!) I did extensive reading and there are several fungi that peppers can get. It said this fungus is Soil-Borne so I am worried about using this next year. What should I do to ammend it?
Anyway, I am positive that was the illness my poor red Pepper plant had. I thought a few of my squash leaves were turning yellow as well. I pull them off when I see that.
I love tomatoes! Next year, I am only going to plant tomatoes and lettuce, maybe arrugula too!

Wavy, rotate. If you plant a pepper next year...plant it as far as possible from the location you pulled this one this year...and compost will help your soil as much as anything.