How much wind and cold damage can pepper plants take?

R

Raol

I potted up my plants into 2/3/5 gallon pots, and took around just over a week or so of slowly putting them outside for more and more time, exposing them to more and more sun, in an attempt to harden them off.
 
I went away for two days, so I left them outside hoping they would be okay, but I guess I didn't harden them off well enough because a lot of them looked pretty rough when I got home. My balcony is really windy in general, and it's been a bit colder than usual at night while I was gone. Around 8 degrees Celsius (46 Fahrenheit) 
 
When I got home, a lot of them had a whole bunch of leaves snapped off by the wind, and a lot of the remaining leaves on the plants are shriveling up at the ends and turning a really dark color. Not all of them are fortunately, but a lot look damaged for sure.
 
I brought them all inside as soon as I got home, as the next couple of days are supposed to still be pretty cold, especially at night (still around 8 C/ 46 F). 
 
My plan is to leave them inside while I'm at work during the day, since it's super cloudy and windy/chilly, and maybe put them out for an hour or so over the next few days when I get home to get them used to it, and until its warmer outside again.
 
I was wondering a few of things:
 
1. Will the ones that only have a couple of leaves left (went from like 6 sets of true leaves to just having 2-3 leaves total left) be able to come back?
 
2. Should I prune off the damaged and/or shriveled leaves?
 
3. Whats the best way to get them to recover in this scenario?
 
Thanks for any and all help! 
 
Raol said:
I potted up my plants into 2/3/5 gallon pots, and took around just over a week or so of slowly putting them outside for more and more time, exposing them to more and more sun, in an attempt to harden them off.
 
I went away for two days, so I left them outside hoping they would be okay, but I guess I didn't harden them off well enough because a lot of them looked pretty rough when I got home. My balcony is really windy in general, and it's been a bit colder than usual at night while I was gone. Around 8 degrees Celsius (46 Fahrenheit) 
 
When I got home, a lot of them had a whole bunch of leaves snapped off by the wind, and a lot of the remaining leaves on the plants are shriveling up at the ends and turning a really dark color. Not all of them are fortunately, but a lot look damaged for sure.
 
I brought them all inside as soon as I got home, as the next couple of days are supposed to still be pretty cold, especially at night (still around 8 C/ 46 F). 
 
My plan is to leave them inside while I'm at work during the day, since it's super cloudy and windy/chilly, and maybe put them out for an hour or so over the next few days when I get home to get them used to it, and until its warmer outside again.
 
I was wondering a few of things:
 
1. Will the ones that only have a couple of leaves left (went from like 6 sets of true leaves to just having 2-3 leaves total left) be able to come back?
 
2. Should I prune off the damaged and/or shriveled leaves?
 
3. Whats the best way to get them to recover in this scenario?
 
Thanks for any and all help! 
Click to expand...
 
1. They should recover if the weather and general conditions improve.
2. If the leaves are too damaged, I would pinch them off to stop them attracting desease and pests. Plant will eventually drop them anyway.
3. Move them out of harshest elements somewhere warm and sheltered. Or get some horti-culti fleece and wrap them up till weather improves.
 
I hope this helps.
 
If the leaves are still shriveled, I'd just pluck them off. Peppers can withstand a lot of abuse; if the remaining leaves look alive then you'll probably be fine
 
My experience has been that peppers can sustain hurricane force winds, and bounce back.  Provided those winds aren't carrying heavy salt spray. :(
 
solid7 said:
My experience has been that peppers can sustain hurricane force winds, and bounce back.  Provided those winds aren't carrying heavy salt spray. :(
Click to expand...
 
Or carrying the plants away. But I concur. I have had winds bend plants beyond 90° with no sustained damage. As far as temps, I have had plants remain outside when temps dropped into the 30s with hard frost and bounce back, all while still producing flowers.
 
wind blew a lot of my leaves off last week but lots of new growth on the stem.  Some say this is better then topping your plants to get them bushy.  
 
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