I have no idea what's causing this. But my Joe E Parker Chili plant is now down with some sort of sickness - Which I can't seem to identify. Basically, the new leaves are not growing, instead are somewhat thick and curly. Flowers too are dropping off after a certain point (usually just before the chili is suppose to come on them). Also, there is a dark blue or brownish patch on every spot where it branches off. Any ideas on how to fix this? Joe E Parker plant in distress. ( photo / image / picture from S-H's Garden )
Let me begin by saying that I do not know for certain what the problem is there, but I shall make some comments that hopefully will in some way be helpful. One thing for sure is that the blue-black spots are normal. This sort of leaf presentation coupled with bud and fruit drop is very frequently associated with a sucking interloper. For instance aphids or the red spider mite. Not being familiar with the insects there in your region, I cannot guess what other sorts of pests could be responsible. Another possible culpret is a virus...such as "curly top virus", for instance. Garden situations like this require careful inspection and even the employ of magnification. Don't hesitate to use a strong loop to inspect the top and undersides of the leaves...as well as the stems, flowers and beginning fruits. Be meticulous. You could hold the plant up so that there is backlighting and see if you notice any web-like structures going betweem leaf stem and the mainstem of the plant....also between the fruit/flower stem and the plant (Tetranychus urticae). You can also look for a shiny, sticky residue on the lower leaves and soil (aphids). Severe weather conditions can cause a similar presentation...especially if there is a great difference between night and day temps. I know that I cannot identify the insulting agent in this situation, but hopefully the comments will give you some hints on where and how to investigate further. If you discover the cause, we can speak further on a possible solution. Good luck.
Yes, most definitely I probably have spider mites. They are too small to be seen normally (so I used a powerful magnifying glass). What I saw were some mites, no bigger then a spec of dust, all over the underside of the flowers. So I guess it is them who are making the flowers rot just when they should be fertilizing... Anyway I went to a few gardening shops today, to look for some kind of organic pest repellent. But was only offered poisonous pesticides. Why this is so you may ask? Well, the short answer is that selling poison is far more profitable than selling something organic... I had actually gone to look for some Neem tree extract (which is an excellent bug repellent as well as an anti-fungus agent, plus it is 100% natural and completely non-toxic to humans and animals). But thanks to the bad selling practices of promoting toxic chemicals, the Neem tree extract company was recently forced to close business... So I have just now (regrettably) sprayed my plants with some pesticide.
I don't know if this works for chili pepper plants... but for Spider Mites on some of my flowers, I use a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil mixed with about a quart of water. Spray the plants thoroughly. But beware of the sun... it may cause burning. So, I usually sprayed them right before the sun went down. I've also heard that mixing a bit of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid in water will also help.
Yes indeed, dish washing soap mixed in water is most effective when it comes to mealybugs. I myself use this concoction to combat them! But I had little idea that the same will also work for spider mites. Therefor thanks for suggesting it! However the sun over here in Karachi is "ultra bright/devastatingly intense" (as told to me by a few visiting Europeans). So vegetable oil will surely burn my plants for good.
