rootdoctor, what do you think of these photos? There is definate leaf curl on these Bell Peppers, although not chilis. These are all planted in the ground. I have been using Hasta gro (6-12-6) and compost. So there hasn't been any wild nutrient swings. Do you think I need to add Epsom Salt? The Jalepeno pepper in the same row looks fine.

Sorry, the pictures are a little blurry.

Dean
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Don't forget the other cause is damage caused by Thrip feeding...newest growth is always affected.

Get a bag of prilled dolomitic lime, available anywhere for 2-5 bucks for a 30-50 lb bag. Put 1/2 cup scattered around the rootline in soil and water it in. Look at the color difference in your leaves, and the veins. That is one clue.

vera: What are the "fixes" or anything at all to keep Thrips under control? I've tried 2 different pesticides (Liquid Sevin & Ortho Max 100), soap water, vinegar around pot lining, etc., etc....all with not much luck at all. I'm down to 3 out of 8 hot pepper plants still living, soon to be 2. Please let me know what the best way is to get rid of those dern things! I'm running a fall crop of peppers since spring crop is almost dead, so I'd definitely like to know soon.:-(

rootdoctor, do you think I would have to add some Iron to the soil instead? My soil is already alkaline.

re: rootdoctor:
"Look at the color difference in your leaves, and the veins. That is one clue."

Are pale veins in a darker leaf an indication of something? I consider this jalapeno leaf to be "healthy". Am I missing a clue?

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That is a healthy leaf. If you look at the photo above, one of them has a yellow "shading" that is visible around the veins. Most veins are either a lighter or darker color in plants, that is the "vein or blood network" of the plants. Your plant is healthy and looks great. TN veggie gatdner, try to mulch around your plants with a denser matting, I use grass. Neem oil is an organic oil that helps with aphids, thrips, most others, but unfortunately it plays havic with the beneficial bugs as well. I don't use any insecticides besides neem oil though. You could add a small amount of iron, but adding anything to a problem usually makes the problem worse Ive noticed. Worm castings and alfalfa meal scratched into the soil and watered in would be a good buffer. Good luck. TimO

Are your peppers showing pinholes in the leafs and dying from that? I have thrips every year until the beneficial bugs take over. The holes are ugly, but have never taken one of my plants down. Plant some dill around your peppers and the ladybugs will come.

Thanks rootdoctor. I'm trying to put together a photo gallery of leaf problems and (hopefully) solutions. It's a work in progress.

Here is a link that might be useful: Leaf gallery