So this year I posted in the thread that I had squirrels literally uproot my Naga Viper plants, looked like the gnawed at the roots and chewed some leaves. My situation seems to be worse than yours and my plants are doing great, it just took alot of time. I live in Bowling Green Ohio where there are 25-35 mph winds on the regular and this also rips leaves off my plants all the time. Most of my pepper plants have lost around 3-4 leaves each, big leaves and small leaves.

Why did I post all of this? Its great to know that there is someone else out there who has experienced the same thing and have gotten through it.

I think your plants will be fine but its going to be a little while for them to recover. Also, if you buy new plants, it takes time for the roots to catch so I feel as if youd be in the same position.

Pepper plants are resilient they really are and everyone will tell you this on the forum. Give them time, theyll reat you right!

Steve

Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe I will just leave them. This weekend I replaced my green bean plants that the rabbits sawed down to a little nub. I was surprised how well rooted the plants were so you may be right. Also built a "rabbit fortress" so it doesn't happen again. Who would have thought gardening could be so stressful lol!?!

Most likely they will bounce back. If you don't see new leaves starting within a week, I'd consider buying replacements.

I had to put up rabbit fence myself several years ago. They were chewing the stem, so I'd come out and find the whole top of a pepper plant laying next to the stem. Aggravating!

Are you sure it isn't something else like slugs?

tsheets: That's exactly what cutworms do also-- I've managed to beat that frustration though. Every transplant, whether lettuce or pepper, gets 2-3 toothpicks right next to the stalk. Haven't lost one since. :)

Kevin

I am new to gardening but I am almost positive it was rabbits. I made a raised bed and purchased about 20 cu ft of soil/compost/peat mixture. I haven't really noticed any bugs in there yet. And no new damage since the rabbit fortress went up! :-) They attacked my romaine and spinach as well so I immediately assumed it was the big fat rabbits I see in my yard.

It looked exactly like what I would expect cut worm damage to look like! We have a lot of rabbits in the neighborhood, and I was suspicious it was them so put up the fence, and after that, had no more plant damage.

I do suspect that I have some slugs or something like that. I get a few chewed on leaves, sometimes edges, sometimes holes in the middle, but, the overall amount of damage is slight in most cases so I don't get too concerned. If things get too bad, I'll bring out the insecticidal soap and/or beer traps. :-)