Curled leaves, mostly on new growth - what is it?

ebh

ebh

Hi
 
This is my first post here on forum, but I have been reading/learning a lot in the last few months. 
 
I hava a small issue with my peppers so I need some assistance from the more experienced growers here. 
 
After 3 weeks of really hot weather (over 90F), in the last couple of weeks we had cold, rains, and really high winds. Since the first few days of this colder weather and winds/rain, I noticed the larger (older) pepper plants started exhibiting curling on the top leaves. Since then, almost all my pepper plants started showing it - I have about 30 at the moment; mostly habaneros but also some super hots (7pod, naga, butch t, etc).
 
Being my first year of growing I am using different growing mediums and nutrients for different plants. I use synthetic fertilisers for the plants I have in generic flowering soil, coco and canna terra professional and the bio-bizz nutrient line (grow, fish, root, heaven and alga-mic until now; also have bloom and top max) for the ones grown in Canna BioTerra Professional and Bio-Bizz all mix. They are mostly grown in air-pots.
 
Considering I am using such different styles of feeding and growin each plant and the all show more or less the same symptoms, I was thinking there could be 2 things: overwatering (with all the heavy rains) - I watered tuesday and now (friday evening) the top soil still feels pretty damp - or pests. I tried looking very closely at the underside of the problem leaves, but couldn't see anything moving.
 
I also considered a Mg defficiency and sprinkled some epsom salt yesterday on top of the pots - didn't want to water anymore, but the air was really damp and it also rained last night. I have my plants on the balcony so they only get a small part of all the rain.
 
Also, I noticed massive new growth from the stem (at the old leaf nodes). Don't know if it's related with the problem. These leaves look really healthy for now.
 
The plant growth, in general, doesn't appear to be stunted to me. They seem to be growing at the same rate as before.
 
You can see some pictures here: http://imgur.com/a/FRKjf#5
 
Thanks!
 
 
 
It seems that this has become a common problem this time of year. My peppers are doing the same thing. I think it's because of too much water. But I also belive there are multipule causes for the weird new growth people are having right now. In some way it is reliving that I'm not the only one with this issue.
 
I am not saying it’s this because I can’t tell by a picture but it doesn’t hurt to check … Remove one of the most damaged (twisted, curled or deformed) leaves that is still alive, closely inspect it with a 30x or higher magnifying glass to see if you see anything on it microscopically along the bottom of the leafs veins. I should have done this on first sign but didn’t and now just got thru my second mite infestation, they’re much easier to beat if you catch them early and it doesn't hurt to rule them out.
 
 
 
fiveohmike said:
how often are you watering?
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Usually once a week, with the nutrients. I did water them more often when they were in the smaller air-pots because with the 90-95F sunny weather they did dry up pretty quickly.
 
WalkGood said:
I am not saying it’s this because I can’t tell by a picture but it doesn’t hurt to check … Remove one of the most damaged (twisted, curled or deformed) leaves that is still alive, closely inspect it with a 30x or higher magnifying glass to see if you see anything on it microscopically along the bottom of the leafs veins. I should have done this on first sign but didn’t and now just got thru my second mite infestation, they’re much easier to beat if you catch them early and it doesn't hurt to rule them out.
 
 
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I will have to get a magnifying glass first.
 
If there is a mite/aphid problem, what would be the best solution?
 
 
 
 
Also, I've forgot to mention that I water them with tap water (I do let it sit overnight or maybe longer) and that it has a pretty high ph where I live - like 7.5 or 8, but I use the same water since they were all seeds and everything was fine until now.
 
+1 to double checking for mites and or ahpids as they do like to congregate in the new growth nodes and can cause deformations. 
 
It is probably just a bit of over watering though, and make sure your not over doing it with the ferts.
 
I find it unlikely the issue is spider mites, because there are no webs and the weather was really cold lately... I will buy some "spidermite control" monday, just to be sure. Is it any good?
 
I also noticed that the tip of the very young leaves (just the one on top, not the new growth from the stem) is burnt on some/most of the plants. I didn't know you could nutrient burn if you use bio ferts... is it possible?
 
Thanks!
 
For the last two years my pepper always get funny curly leaves.  Last year 50% of them did.  Most of them outgrew it.
 
Burnt tips on the leaves could be under or over fertilizing, and yes you can over do it with any fertilizer organic, synthetic, etc...
 
I got some SMC (spider mite control). I know it's oil based - can I mix it with water (that's what it says on the bottle) and use it in a plastic spray bottle with a pump? The maker of the spray bottle tells me not to use any oils in it...
 
Thanks!
 
did the weather change from hot to cold fast? if it changed to quickly it could be that they are not so used to sudden change of weather,happened to my peppers too.
 
I sprayed all the plants with that spidermite control solution, using a pretty high water pressure - so to also wash the leaves of any critters/dirt at the same time.
 
Will see how it goes for the next few days. If the spider mites are gone will the leaves get back to normal, or only the new growth?
 
Thanks!
 
chilli whisperer said:
did the weather change from hot to cold fast? if it changed to quickly it could be that they are not so used to sudden change of weather,happened to my peppers too.
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Yes. I think this is the most likely reason for their behaviour.
 
I have given a few weeks ago pepper plants to friends/family and all of them are showing more or less the same behaviour. All after the weather suddenly changed
 
Leaves curling up often indicate heat stress, Ive experienced this first hand. Cooled off the growing area and new leaves were fine. Leaves curling down can be severe overwatering.
 
Then again a lot of other things can cause it to but if your getting the edges of the leaves curling up definately consider heat stress or temp issues.
 
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