Malformed Leaves on Peppers and Chillies

[vikkib]

Hi all,

I've searched for threads containing queries with chilli leaves but can't find any that look like my little lovelies!

The leaves are developing strangely, mis-shapen. I don't think they are being eaten by anything (for starters they are indoors at the mo!) as the edges don't look like they've been munched.

Also as the third pic shows some of the new leaves are coming through like this whilst the older leaves are fine.

Any ideas what is ailing them?

The plants still look healthy I'm just concerned this is the first sign of something more seriously wrong!

[Flummery]

In my experience there's generally an aphid involved1 they can be seriously small - wipe the underside of all the leaves with your finger and squish any that are there. It won't stop you getting a decent crop unless the infestation gets really bad, though.

[starloc]

Ive had that on my plants, it was thrips, there almost as hard as spider mites to find, just a bit longer , still tiny to see

[leoblackcat]

yes some of mine are like that - i found a few greenfly and have hopefully now squished them all!

[vikkib]

Thanks guys.

I've been on aphid patrol with them since one plant got attacked by the little so and so's but that plant isn't even one with funny leaves!

Maybe they hide when they see me coming!

[seasprout]

I often have the same problem, i send a sample away a few years ago to Garden Which?, it came back as capsid bug. You rarely seen the beastie as it jumps away as you approach, but he damage is evident as the plant grows.

They gave me a choice of spraying or ignoring it and letting it grow out, (which I did), you might have limited success with those yellow sticky traps as well.

[vikkib]

Thanks Seasprout.

I'm popping them into the plastic GH today so maybe a bigger beastie will get them!

I think I'll let them grow out, don't like the idea of a spray. Unless diluted WUL would work. Might give it a try this evening!

[westwiltspatio]

Don't suppose it could be the same sort of thing doing this to my aubergine? I can't see any small beasties on there, and plant is inside next to other aubergines which don't seem to be suffering (yet).

Not sure whether to cull it and be sure, or let it have a chance to grow out.

[vikkib]

Don't suppose it could be the same sort of thing doing this to my aubergine? I can't see any small beasties on there, and plant is inside next to other aubergines which don't seem to be suffering (yet).

Not sure whether to cull it and be sure, or let it have a chance to grow out.

Hmmm... I'm not sure. The strange bits on mine are only on the edges of the leaves, not the middle of them too but it could be the same thing.

I've popped mine out on the plastic greenhouse today so I'm hoping the tiny beasties will attract larger beasties that I can actually see and therefore have a chance to squish!

It might be worth popping the aubergines out for the day too (I put mine out yesterday and they fainted a bit but seem they recovered last night and seem to be coping better today).