Lifeless underdeveloped foliage on pepper stalks indicates unfavorable conditions for its cultivation. If nothing is done, you can go without a crop. Let us analyze why the seedlings of pepper wither, what mistakes in agricultural technology lead to trouble, and how to save vegetables.
Did you know? In addition to the well-known Bulgarian, fragrant, chili, ground, red and green pepper species, there are also about 1000 varieties of this plant.
Why do peppers curl leaves
A similar phenomenon can be observed on greenhouse or greenhouse specimens, as well as on seedlings from a window sill. Leaf plates do not develop well.
At a certain stage, the edges are folded inward, sticking up the core divided by veins. The zones between the veins appear to be convex. It seems that the growth of leaflets restrain arteries. Young biomass looks lifeless, has a pale color. This process begins at the top of the stem.
According to experts, the reasons that prevent the growing season of pepper, are attacking pests and pathogens, which in the course of their livelihoods can in 24 hours change the usual shape of a leaf into a distorted boat. The greatest danger is root parasites.
Twisting leaves on pepper stalks can trigger aphids. Its appearance is accompanied by brown spots on the leaves that appear in places where insects are sucking. Leaves similar traces, drinking juice from the leaves of fibers, and spider mite. His presence on the seedlings can be recognized by the fine spiderweb on the plant, which is very clearly visible under the sunlight.
Some growers of pest control advise Aktar, Bi-58, others prefer Aktofit, Bitoxibacillin, Angio, and Iskra Double Effect.In such cases, the culture urgently needs disinfection with any insecticide. It can be both chemical and biological preparations.
Did you know? Ancient soldiers used black pepper as an instrument and as a tribute to captive nations. So the ancient Romans paid the leaders of the Huns Attila and the Visigoths to Alaric I about one and a half tons of this spice so that they would never again dare to attack Rome.Twisting the leaves on young sprouts of pepper is also possible due to the peculiarities of the greenhouse cultivation. That is, the leaf vessels due to the specificity of the formed microclimate do not have time to develop at the same pace with the central part of the leaves. As a result, it turns out convex and corrugated. Inspect the plant carefully.
If there are no signs of vital activity of sucking parasites on it, it receives a sufficient amount of moisture and heat, no intervention is needed. To the best of growth, culture will recover on its own.
Learn how to grow hot peppers "Habanero", sweet peppers "Gypsy F1", "Bogatyr", chili.
The main causes of wilting
Another trouble that gardeners often encounter when growing pepper seedlings is manifested in the loss of the green color of the leaves, as a result of which it fades and dies.
This is explained by the weakened state of the shoots, which is quite likely with water imbalance in the greenhouse. Therefore, it is very important to control the amount of moisture in the soil.
Important! In order for the seedlings to be healthy, it is important to ensure the appropriate temperature and humidity, regular airing of the greenhouse, loosening the soil and removing weeds, balanced supplements only with a proven quality material.The cause of this phenomenon can be bacteriological, viral pathogens. Foliage of vegetable crops is often deformed in case of Fusarium, Verticillia and other diseases. Agronomists believe that the seedlings of pepper wilt leaves may be due to the physical aging of the culture, poor preparation of the soil for planting seedlings, illiterate fertilizing with improper fertilizer components.
Also, the reasons may be a violation of the rules of the formation of the bush, high temperature and insufficient air humidity in the greenhouse or greenhouse.
How to cure pepper from curling and withering leaves
Deformed, lost leaves and color on the seedlings of pepper - a clear sign of gross agrotechnical errors in the process of cultivation. Greenhouse plants due to climatic conditions can forgive many mistakes, but such a reaction suggests the need for immediate intervention.
First of all, remove all diseased leaves and sterile sprouts. And also follow up:
- Indoor humidity. Use for this a mechanical hygrometer or an electronic moisture meter. In the greenhouse, each culture needs its own water level. For pepper, the best option is the humidity is the same as for cucumbers - at the level of 60-65%. Moreover, at the seedling stage, this indicator should start with a mark of 75%.
- The temperature in the greenhouse. With a sharp imbalance of temperature and humidity in the vegetation of plants, failures begin. To help deformed cultures to develop properly, do not allow sudden drops. Note that when the temperature rises by 5 °, the humidity level drops to 20 marks.
- Daily airing. No need to spare the seedlings, protecting from fresh air. On the contrary, it will contribute to the biochemical processes within the fibers, resulting in a strengthened root system and shrub. In the heat, ventilation will solve the problem of elevated temperature, and in the cold, open the windows in the greenhouse only during the day for a short time.
- Number of irrigations. The more water - the juicier the fruits will be. The periods of required irrigation can be determined by eye on the state of the stem and soil. Do not forget that excess moisture is a favorable environment for the development of fungal spores, and its deficiency dries out pollen. It is better to water the plants in the morning.
- The state stem in the evening. All chemical sprinkling, irrigation, sprinkling and fertilizer should be carried out in such a way that by the evening the bushes are dry.
- Topsoil. It should not be dried tight crust, weeds. Loosen the soil regularly, which contributes to the aeration of pepper roots.
- Do not forget about prophylactic treatments. seedlings from harmful insects and pathogens.
Did you know? About 600 years ago, when Europe first discovered the existence of black pepper, its price was equal to gold. Our ancestors paid for the goods with spice.
Preventive measures: tips and tricks
Finding out why the seedlings of pepper turn white, wither and curl the leaves, let's see what the gardener should do to save his garden bed from such a misfortune. And for this, as it turned out, not much is needed.
It is necessary to begin with careful preparation of the greenhouse in the fall. This process includes the decontamination of land and all structures of the premises. It is followed by a scrupulous selection of seeds for seedlings, if you plan to grow it yourself. In the case of purchased copies, carefully inspect each sprout, make purchases only from trusted people who value their reputation.
Of particular importance is the spring preparation of the substrate, which involves embedding nitrogen, potash and organic fertilizers in rows.
Be sure to pickle the upper ball from the surviving larvae and microbes with a weakly concentrated solution of potassium permanganate.
When on the stalks seem on 3 leaves, it is time to carry out the first feeding. To prepare the solution in a bucket of water, 125 g of superphosphate, 50 g of urea, 30 g of potassium salt are mixed. The following feeding should be carried out with the appearance of 4 leaves. With the advent of 7-8 leaves, flower stalks begin to be laid, so the nutrition of the culture requires more attention.
But in no case should fresh manure be used as a fertilizer. It provokes a strong tillering of the pepper and falling off of the inflorescences.
Important! Seedlings with 2-5 leaves should be additionally illuminated with lamps of the prevailing blue spectrum.Ripened for transplanting pepper seedlings is considered when 12-14 leaves are formed on it. Healthy specimens have a powerful dense stem up to 25 cm high and a uniform green color.
Landing in the greenhouse land should take place somewhere in the middle of May for the earth to warm up.
Do not plant peppers next to tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants.Be vigilant, because sprouts that are more than 55 days old will start physiological aging and, most likely, lower foliage will wither and fall down. Planting is made according to the scheme of 1 m by 0.5 m. The distance between the rows and bushes in them can be adjusted depending on the varietal characteristics.
Experienced gardeners advise to pour 2 liters of warm water on each well, then plant sprouts, tightly ramming the earth with their hands. At the end of the soil in the garden mulch peat.
Do not forget for preventive measures to inspect the stems and leaf plates of the shoots. The sooner you notice traces of the functioning of harmful insects or pathogenic microbes on them, the sooner you will begin treatment.
Important! For the proper development of the pepper bush pinch on one lower inflorescence.Pepper - demanding culture, which has an increased need for heat and moisture. Therefore, be prepared to appease the capricious plant, because the goal pursued is worth it.