Difficulty with greenhouse tomatoes and peppers - Ask Extension
Hello I'm doing my best to grow tomatoes and peppers in a greenhouse but the leaves start to get leathery, curl, and twist after a while. The plant lo...
Knowledgebase
Difficulty with greenhouse tomatoes and peppers #862841
Asked March 29, 2024, 8:11 PM EDT
Hello I'm doing my best to grow tomatoes and peppers in a greenhouse but the leaves start to get leathery, curl, and twist after a while. The plant looks otherwise healthy. What could solve this problem? Pictures attached
Malheur County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Derek,
Thanks for contacting us about the leaves of your pepper plants. I am responding to you under the assumption that you are not a commercial grower. If this is incorrect, please reply to this email and let me know so I can refer you to an Extension agent.
Without inspecting the plants, I can only suggest the most common causes for curled leaves: insect damage and environmental stress.
Insects can cause the leaves to be deformed or to curl while they eat the leaves. Many are very small such as aphids. They have piercing mouth parts which they use to drink fluid from the leaves. Usually there are other signs of pests such as sticky leaves (honeydew), fine dark spots (frass), or holes in the leaves. The insects must be identified to select the appropriate controls.
Leaf curl is not a disease but a physiological response to environmental conditions such as over- or under-watering, or excessive heat. The leaves often curl upward on the edges.
In containers, water plants only when the top half-inch of the planting medium feels dry to the touch. Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead. Keeping the foliage dry will help prevent fungal problems. Make sure the containers do not sit in excess water. Elevate them above the drainage tray (if used) so that any excess water drains completely away from the pot.
Peppers are heavy feeders so they should be fertilized regularly according to the instructions on the label. New seedlings can be fed with a half-concentration of fertilizer when they develop several true leaves.
If there are other adverse effects, please take a sample to your nearest Extension office for closer inspection.
Thanks for contacting us about the leaves of your pepper plants. I am responding to you under the assumption that you are not a commercial grower. If this is incorrect, please reply to this email and let me know so I can refer you to an Extension agent.
Without inspecting the plants, I can only suggest the most common causes for curled leaves: insect damage and environmental stress.
Insects can cause the leaves to be deformed or to curl while they eat the leaves. Many are very small such as aphids. They have piercing mouth parts which they use to drink fluid from the leaves. Usually there are other signs of pests such as sticky leaves (honeydew), fine dark spots (frass), or holes in the leaves. The insects must be identified to select the appropriate controls.
Leaf curl is not a disease but a physiological response to environmental conditions such as over- or under-watering, or excessive heat. The leaves often curl upward on the edges.
In containers, water plants only when the top half-inch of the planting medium feels dry to the touch. Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead. Keeping the foliage dry will help prevent fungal problems. Make sure the containers do not sit in excess water. Elevate them above the drainage tray (if used) so that any excess water drains completely away from the pot.
Peppers are heavy feeders so they should be fertilized regularly according to the instructions on the label. New seedlings can be fed with a half-concentration of fertilizer when they develop several true leaves.
If there are other adverse effects, please take a sample to your nearest Extension office for closer inspection.
Hello!
Thank-you for the insight and I am not a commercial grower, just got a little greenhouse to try and start some veggies for the upcoming year. I'd love to connect with my local agent if possible! I'm in Ontario, OR if that helps.
Dear Derek,
OSU Extension Master Gardeners answer gardening questions for home gardeners allowing the Extension agents to focus on commercial growers. The closest Master Gardeners to you appear to be in Crook County.
Their contact information is at this link:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/central/have-gardening-question
I hope this helps. Happy gardening!
OSU Extension Master Gardeners answer gardening questions for home gardeners allowing the Extension agents to focus on commercial growers. The closest Master Gardeners to you appear to be in Crook County.
Their contact information is at this link:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/central/have-gardening-question
I hope this helps. Happy gardening!
