Odd shaped Bhut Leaves

GreenMonsterZ · May 20, 2013

OK guys i need some help. I have two potted Ghost Pepper plants that are starting to develop odd shaped and damaged leaves. I've searched the web and the forums for ideas but in honesty, I don't know where to start. I've checked for bugs and other critters and have came up empty. Any ideas?

Scarlet Fire · May 20, 2013

My guess is Calcium deficiency, but there are many more experienced growers here than I. I use CaMg+ by General Organics, which helps keep pH from dropping due to salt buildup, and also prevents Blossom End Rot (BER). Just my $.02.

Terravexti · May 20, 2013

mine are doing somthing like that aswell

Scarlet Fire · May 20, 2013

This doesn't cover everything by any means, but it's helpful:

GreenMonsterZ · May 20, 2013

That is helpful actually. It would seem calcium is a reoccurring answer I have come across in my research. Thanks

DasBhut · May 20, 2013

Scarlet Fire said:
This doesn't cover everything by any means, but it's helpful:

what has manganese?

GreenMonsterZ · May 20, 2013

I saw multiple sources that recommended Epsom salt in a spray bottle for manganese.

Scarlet Fire · May 20, 2013

Animal manure is also a sufficient source for what most plants need.

DasBhut · May 20, 2013

GreenMonsterZ said:
I saw multiple sources that recommended Epsom salt in a spray bottle for manganese.

magnesium and manganese are different

Scarlet Fire · May 20, 2013

Mg is widely available in many plant foods, but trace elements like Mn can be trickier to supply plants with. I'm sure there are other organic sources than manure, I just can't think of any. There is probably a myriad of chemical sources too, but I'm one of the organic guys whenever possible.

Edit: I just read that kelp and seaweed are sources of Mn, so it's not so hard to get afterall. I would use GO BioWeed for this.

DasBhut · May 20, 2013

chili powder is pretty high in manganese so you could use that, but it'd be kind of like cannibalism

Jeff H · May 20, 2013

GreenMonsterZ said:
I saw multiple sources that recommended Epsom salt in a spray bottle for manganese.

That is for magnesium as others have stated.

Dustin · May 20, 2013

Are you using Neem Oil or any other type of oil? It seems to cause a defect on newly formed leaves for me, and when they become full grown, they look similar to yours. However, the next set of leaves look just fine and so do the ones that are already there.

Bob_B · May 20, 2013

Looks like a bug issue to me.

Terravexti · May 21, 2013

calcium yep yep

StupidJerk · May 21, 2013

I would say bugs.

GreenMonsterZ · May 22, 2013

No neem oil has been used. Im checking them daily so far no bugs. I'm gonna be giving them some calcium and see how they fair.

spydrweb77 · May 22, 2013

What are your watering habits?
That mix looks really wet, it may not be so much of a deficiency as a lockup from overwatering... Just my 2 cents.

GreenMonsterZ · May 23, 2013

I water once the soil dries up. That's usually once every three to four days here in Phoenix. I had literally just watered then when the picture was taken.

GreenMonsterZ · May 25, 2013

So recent finding. I have been checking my leaves a couple of times daily and moved the pants to a different area as a tree nearby was dropping random small branches on the plants. I found a leaf that has a spot that is yellowish/ light green spot that looks like it will eventually cause a hole in the leaf. i'm also showing puckering on the new leaves. i included the best pic i could take of the leaves. Sorry about the second picture being so blurry.