eggs underneath chilli leaves?

[chilli_grower]

Hi all,

It appears I have a disaster with several chilli plants.

They have developed a sort of powdery coating on the underside of some of the leaves.

Some of the leaves have curled up a bit, and turned a pale yellow/green colour.

I have a 10x magnification loupe, and have had a very close look, but I don't know what it is? I am guessing eggs, that are somehow sucking the life out of the plants?

Whatever it is, I need to stop it, or all my plants will be dead soon.

Last year I had greenfly under the leaves, and when I looked closely I could see them clearly, but this is different. It is almost like a spore?

Any ideas? Possible solutions welcomed?

Thank you

[WendyC]

I looks a bit like red spider mite to me. I know cucumbers are prone to it but never having grown chillis don't know if they get it too. Tends to thrive in dry air conditions so misting may help. Think there is a biological control you might be able to use. Someone more knowledgeable hopefully will along. Or an insecticide spray if you are happy to use one. (And I know there are plenty of people who don't like to!)

[SarzWix]

I was just going to suggest spider mite as well. They don't like moist conditions, so keep misting the plants with water. If it gets very bad, you start seeing very very fine webs on the plants. If water doesn't work, you can get a biological control which works very well.

[chilli_grower]

ok, thank you both for the replies. I am happy to use insecticide. Infact I have a little bit in the garage anyway.

However, is it possible that this could be powdery mildew? And not insect/spider related at all?

Also, yes the air is dry where the seedlings are. 40% humidity usually....

Thanks a lot

[SarzWix]

Looks more like spider mite damage to me. Powdery mildew is, powdery. And doesn't usually leave the tips of the leaves looking scorched like that. Plus I've never ever had PM on a chilli plant before, whilst spider mite has attacked my indoor ones 3 times.

[chilli_grower]

well that's good enough for me.

You see, the chillies are under lights, which increases the temperature to around 24 degrees, and this decreases the humididty!

I can't win!

So for now, I think I will remove the infected plants and put them on the bathroom windowsill, where it is most humid, and I will spray with insecticide and hope for the best I guess?

Cheers

[jacob]

Contradicting the above, I can't see anything wrong with your plant at all.

When were they planted (over-wintering)?

I'd say that for early Feb the plants look just fine (it isn't really chilli time of year). It they're over-wintering I'd expect you to lose most of the leaves over the next two months, whilst they get replaced by new growth.

I'm also thinking that you're soil's a bit damp?

[chilli_grower]

The plant is infested!

These are tiny habanero plants, only 3 inches high at most. Sown on new years day this year.

Soil is damp yes, as I just sprayed them.

[WendyC]

I thought so too!

[Two_Sheds]

They have developed a sort of powdery coating

How do you mean "powdery"?

Does powder come off on your hands?

[Two_Sheds]

the chillies are under lights, which increases the temperature to around 24 degrees

They don't need to be that hot, and I don't think it's doing them any good. Can't you provide light without the heat?

A sunny windowsill (south facing) would be more appropriate. They definitely don't need to be humid.

The scorch marks at the tips can be caused by:
- being too hot ((crispy dry tips))
- underwatering (crispy dry tips)
- overwatering (soft brown tips)

[chilli_grower]

no the powder does not come off on hands. It just looks like a powder.

I have googled red spider mites. And the symptoms are exactly what I have.

Note that the leaves are also curling inwards, and some of the leaf tip have become sort of burnt looking.

The attached photo does not show the leaf curl.

[Two_Sheds]

no the powder does not come off on hands.

It's not a powder then

[Two_Sheds]

I have googled red spider mites. And the symptoms are exactly what I have.

Aha ! There you go then. But they had to come from somewhere: do you have other infested plants in the house?

I'm not convinced it's RSM. They don't become active until March.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advic...ot_spider_mite

They do overwinter on plants: but your plants are new ones, sown in Jan.

[chilli_grower]

hmmmm, thanks for the good information two sheds.

No it is not a powder. but when looked at, it appears like a powdery coating.

No south facing windows at all unfortunately.

No other plant in the house at all.

I do not know how to reduce the heat! The radiator is off in the room. Maybe a fan? i have an air con unit...

And I do not believe I am over watering. Also, not all of the plants have the brown scorch marks on the tips, or any browning at all. But they do have the powdery coating...

The light is approx 2 inches above tips of leaves.

HELP!!!!!!!

I might spray with insecticide anyway....I am guseeing it won't make any difference????

Just found this:

"Leaves of plants infested with spider mites show a distinct spotted effect called stippling. Spider mites cause stippling because they feed on plant cells one at a time. Like their name suggests, spider mites can spin webbing; heavily infested plants are typically covered with the fine webbing they use to disperse from old plants to fresh ones."