Bell Boy pepper problems

annedunlop

I'm hoping you more experienced gardeners can help me as I haven't a clue. I've tried a search and the newbie forum without success! The new leaves on my pepper are all 'crinkly' and there are holes on some. It had been looking really healthy, about a foot high with eight lovely glossy leaves. Could it contaminate my other veg/ what should I do? help!!

rosie

knithryn

I'v got Bell Boy peppers too.
Holes in leaves - something is having a munch. I don't know what, but I'd get a pesticide spray out!

annedunlop

I'm used to having everything I have ever tried to plant outside eaten. In my innocence I thought it wouldn't happen indoors

Lotus-eater

Crinkly leaves are without a doubt aphids, squash them with your fingers and look at them every day, doing the same.
The holes could be slugs or snails, lift the pot high in the air and look underneath, you might find a little slug hiding under there and only coming out at night. If not, check it several times in the late evening, hoping to catch the culprit at it.

foxgloves

Yes. The crinkly leaves sound like leaves that have been sucked while young & tender by naughty aphids and that's what causes the crinkling effect. If you can see them on your pepper plant, you can wash them off using one of the environmentally friendlier washing up liquids diluted in water. The soapiness stops them being able to breathe, I think, as they breathe through their skin (or whatever aphids have instead of skin!) This works for me. When leaves are no longer coming through crinkley, you'll know you've got rid of them all. Aphids don't usually leave holes as well in my experience so worth checking there are not some tiny caterpillars hiding somewhere on your plants.

annedunlop

well I bought a spray and zapped them and 30 mins later there were a lot of tiny white things lying on top of the soil. I take it these are the aphids? I did examine the leaves before but I hadn't spoted them! I brought the plant back inside last night, but this morning I could see them on the leaves - also green crawley things, greenfly? I made up a solution of water, a few drops of washing up liquid and 2 tsp of baking powder, and sprayed them.
Is there anything I can do to prevent my veg being attacked or do I have to just keep watching and treating? doesn't seem to be on my tomato or courgette plants - yet!

Thanks

Lotus-eater

Aphids on chillies would be green, little plump modules of moistness, that pop when you squish them

They shed their skin as they get bigger, that may be the white things you are seeing, one way of seeing you have aphids, is seeing the shed skin all over the lower leaves, the leaves will also be sticky because of the aphids secretions.

If you are keeping them inside then, you will need to keep an eye on them, as they may return. If you can find a sheltered spot next to some flowers outside you can stick them in the daytime, the good guy insects should clear up any aphid problems. If you are planting them in a greenhouse, stick some french marigolds in there and it will be sorted.