Pepper problems...too much rain and spots (pics)

16 years ago

We've had a lot of rain in the past few weeks, combined with cooler temperatures. As a result, my peppers are really struggling. They're in a raised bed with a mix of compost, peat moss and vermiculite. The rest of the raised boxes are doing great (no other peppers planted), but I did individually amend the beds with compost at right before planting.

The leaves are yellowing, I think partly due to a nitrogen deficiency (from the crazy amounts of rain. I'm more concerned with the spots though and the areas where there is more significant yellowing. Could this just be soil splash, or is it something bacterial. I did poke around to try to figure it out but stuck out.

I did spray with a bit of Terracycle worm poop tea to try to given them some nutrients foliarly. I have some garden tone but was going to wait until Thursday when the rain is due...I really don't want to add any more water to the beds.

Can anyone help identify the problem? Is it treatable, or are the pepper plants a loss? Thank you so much for your help, I'm completely stuck.

Raised bed w/ peppers

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Plant worst affected:

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One leaf is notably curling (pretty much just this one)

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I see some white blotches under some of the leaves:

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Comments (5)

ikea_gw
16 years ago
It looks like early blight in the second photo, and maybe the last photo too. It is a fungal infection that can spread quickly when the weather is wet. Remove the affected leaves from the garden and treat with a fungicide.
the_pepper_guy
16 years ago
It is caused by all the rain we have had. It looks like bacterial leaf spot.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Pepper Guy's Blog
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ahismah
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you both!

I'm going to remove the infected leaves ASAP. What is a good organic fungicide. I think my local nursery carries this: http://www.romencegardens.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.productDetail/productID/137/index.htm

I'd really like to stay organic, but will consider non-organic if it means saving the peppers.

Also, what do I do if it's bacterial leaf spot? Google (and gardenweb search) is giving me mixed info and my Rodale's book isn't helping much either. Do I need to pull the plants? I don't want to infect my other boxes, but I'd prefer not to lose my peppers either. Sigh. 3 weeks in and already toast.
the_pepper_guy
16 years ago
Pull the leaves and get some fungicide. No need to pull up the plants at this point. Give them a chance. Think positive. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: The Pepper Guy's Blog
ikea_gw
16 years ago
ahismah, without seeing the labels it is hard to say if that fungicide will work. You might need to go check the label at the store. For other organic options, Serenade and Actinovate are mentioned here often. Personally I have just started using Serenade so I can't say for sure if it is effective.

You don't need to pull the plants as long as you remove diseased leaves and start spraying. And hope for dryer weather. :)