hi all, The damage appears to be thru some layers of the stem i.e. that it appears the color of bark. or is this color the plants response to said damage?

can you give us some pictures to go off of? It is hard to help without a better visual.

kendra

Hi, Sorry no pic's available if it is cutworm what would you reccommend?

Hi;
If its a cutworm try a cutworm collar a few layers of newsprint wrapped around stem at and just below and above ground level.
Good Luck
Keith

normally putting something around the base of the plant in order to keep the cutworm from being able to access the stem works. People use old cans, pieces of plastic, newspaper, really anthing that can encircle the stem without hurting the plant.

also, if the stems are not cut cleanly across the entire plant, it could be something else causing the damage. Have you considered birds as possible pests? They cause alot of damage here to leaves and pods while pecking around for bugs.
You might try to find the cutworms to verify that is what you are dealing with. They usually come out at night, but live inthe soil near the plant. IF you dig around a bit you might find them. I would think since they are caterpillers basically, that any BT product would work on them.

kendra

Hi all, Well took One plant to local nursery guru ( I trust him) and he Definitely found a cutworm in the soil attached I.E. dug up about 1 foot around and deep. He also found spider mites on the plant. CAUSES FOUND!! He reccommended I scrap out old mulch, which I did. I then applied " SPINOSAD". Then I put down worm castings then Garden Blooms- soil building compost to replace old mulch. I asked my guru about, making a solution of boiled garlic with last years Habanero flakes to spray on plant for future pest control. He agreed; but, to put two more applications of Spinosad 4 days apart. to ensure cutworm DEATH including eggs if any were still in soil . I like everyone's attempt for me to try stem protection ;but I personally feel this instance called for drastic measure !!I.E. I didn't want the pests to move to other area's of my garden.In the future I will stay organic by keeping a much closer attention to every inch of my peppers. What do you think of boiled garlic and habanero flake solution as far as spraying foilage to Deterr any future hungry buggers? thank you all again for input much appreciated Sincerely cRAYZy