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Pepper plant wilting

11 years ago

Not sure what's going on here. This plant nearly died off last year when I had it in the wrong kind of soil. Replanted it in a 3-1-1 type mixture, and it was doing VERY well rebounding in a window sill, until about a week ago. Now, it's quickly shriveling and wilting. Anyone have any idea what could cause this?


The other plants appear mostly healthy, but tend to drop perfectly healthy looking leaves most times I move them.


Comments (9)

  • 11 years ago

    It could be shock from the transplant or too much sun where it is located. I would trim all the green off and watch it to see if the leaves grow back. Hard to tell if the stem is brown.


  • 11 years ago

    It looks like it died of thurst. Or its got root rot problem.
    I kill 2 overwintering peppers. I killed them by over watering.

    Shedding leaves occur when you bring the plants inside. Bu it the plant is live, it will grow new leaves.


    Seysonn

  • 11 years ago

    Yeah, my first thought was overwatering. Especially when overwintering peppers, you do not water them until the leaves start to droop. Anything more will lead to overwatering and you'll kill 'em real fast. I have some of those same containers, and they're worthless unless you drill holes in the bottom for additional drainage.

    I think its probably too late, but I'd take it out of that pot ASAP and see what you see, I'm betting the bottom is a soupy mess.

  • 11 years ago

    I'd be tempted to bet against transplant shock, as it has been in that pot for months.


    The soil was drier than it had been when this started. Odd. Maybe I will dump more bark chips into my 3-1-1 to make it closer to 5-1-1 for even better drainage. I also had thought of drilling holes in the pots (and just buying different pots next time around). I got those pots because they were cheap and light. When the plants are not outdoors, the best place for them is upstairs. I was dreading carrying a bunch of heavier pots. :)

  • 11 years ago

    I had actually re-potted the plants with the new soil mix to get rid of a soupy mess. I guess I did not go far enough. :)


  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    My guess would be root rot as well.

    "I also had thought of drilling holes in the pots (and just buying different pots next time around)."

    Do the pots not have drainage holes already in them? If they don't then that's a major issue and you'll need to correct this immediately. It's the cause of your problems.

    Rodney

  • 11 years ago

    Those containers sort of have drainage in them. In the picture, do you see the black line on it, about 2 inches up from the bottom? Thats the drainage it has. In practice, it means that the bottom few inches stay a soggy mess virtually around the clock, even when the top looks bone dry.

    I still get them for the same reason flip does, they're light and make moving things indoors much easier, but I always take a power drill and punch a bunch of holes into the bottoms so that they will drain completely.

    Flip, one way to treat root rot is with hydrogen peroxide. Get the 3% concentration that they sell in the pharmacy section of walmart, get one of the big bottles, and just pour it in there after you repot in something with better drainage.

    The peroxide kills the rot, and it quickly breaks down into regular water and oxygen, helping to aerate the soil.

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks for the peroxide tip! May have to try that.

    I always tip the pots pretty good to drain out excess moisture after watering- but I may just have to take my Dremel to these things to provide better drainage.

  • 11 years ago

    If it's getting direct sun through the window that could be a problem too. It can get very hot if it's next to the glass. I've fried a few houseplants that way.


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