Possibly sunburn. Did you just recently put them outside in the sun. Or possibly, by topping them, you exposed the lower leaves to more sun than they were used to. Likely not fatal if that is what is going on.

Oh, and for "topping" a pepper plant, that looks pretty severe.

I'm also thinking the topping might have contributed to that. I only cut off 5"-6", what is normal height to top peppers? I saw a few videos and this was my first attempt, thanks for the input.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I1BtTNIIcY was the last one I saw

I personally have never found a reason to top a pepper plant. But, I would never cut off more than 1/3 of the plant if I did. I know some people like to top pepper plants. I guess the theory is that it makes them grow thicker and fuller and even more productive. I don't know if it does or doesn't. But I have found after 4 or 5 years of growing peppers from seed that most people feel like they have to always be doing something to the pepper plants. I find that the more you ignore them, the better off they are.

I agree, the most common problem I see from growers is babying the plant. This one in particular I wanted to try to make bushier with the space requirements it has in the garden. Otherwise I tend to leave them alone. Live and learn I guess lol, we will see how it pans out.

Holy crap, I would not be topping like that guy in the video does. If you are growing in Florida with a year round growing season, then maybe, but if I did that, I wouldn't get any production at all by the time my growing season ended.

I have overwintered peppers before and I dont even prune them back that hard when I do that. Pruning below the first "Y" is just crazy IMO.

Where do you live by the way. I hope you are south of the Mason Dixon line.

Ha, it did look a bit extreme. I actually just moved from the middle of AL to middle Ontario

well, if you are in Canada, it is going to be tough to get a good harvest off them before the season is over. They may eventually grow up nice and bushy and lush, but you just set them back many weeks/months and they may not have enough time to recover. Good luck. I hope they respond quickly for you.

Bruce

Thanks I hope so, left the others alone so I will see how they compare. Cheers.