California Sweet Peppers - Leaves curling?

[duggie]

I have some California Sweet Pepper seedlings on a windowsill at home but the leaves on about half of them have started to shrivel and curl. They also have tiny white flecks of what appears to be dust on the compost at the base of the stem. Anyone know what this is? Will they survive?

[Flummery]

Sounds like aphids. The tiny flecks are shed skins. Make up a bit of water with a small drop of washing up liquid in and either paint it on with a small brush or just dip your finger in and lightly run them over and under the leaves. I had the same thing happen with my jalapenos but they are fine now - I did it for 3 days on the run until the aphids had cleared up. They can be very small when young and quite hard to see.

[duggie]

Thanks Flummery. Will give this a try.

[Headfry]

me too! I have the same problem, I know what I am doing tonight!
Thanks Flummery

[smallblueplanet]

If you've a small plastic sprayer just put a squirt of washing up liquid in to it and fill with water. Then spray all over and under! I've just done my acers, roses and broad beans.

[joey]

My california peppers had aphids on, so I killed them all. They are fine now