Severe deformation on Habanero plants

[Hybrid Mode 01]

 
Either too much fertilizer or herbicide damage. I've had both scenarios produce plants that looked exactly the same.
Herbicide damage, specifically 24D tends to make newer leaves curl, be much smaller and look deformed.
 
Remember herbicide can come from a variety of sources:

• applicator drift. 24D-like chemicals can travel a 1/4 mile with minimal wind, effecting all broadleaf plants with [tiny] ppm exposure
• compost (herbicide used on grass clippings for example) then put in compost
• manure, animals eat hay or green foliage that has been treated with Tordon
• any Tordon-like chemical applied to soil, composted or passed through an animal can last up to 7 yrs
• I believe there is still a class action law suit against DOW chemical re: the above point

 

 
     I agree100%. If no mites can be found this is classic growth regulator herbicide (2,4-d) damage.
     I remember back in the day when I used to try to help folks who posted pics of similarly damaged plants. It seemed my advice always got drowned out by everyone screaming "MITES!" (even though no one had identified them or even looked yet).
     People don't seem to realize how far 2,4-d vapor can travel in the air or how even a tiny amount can cause significant damage. The problem is, people see the damage and reflexively spray pesticides. Then, when the herbicide has worked its way out of the plant's system and the plants start looking normal again, they claim victory and assume the spraying did the trick. That reinforces the habit.
     Ugh. Sometimes people need to take a step back and concentrate on determining the causative factor. And then decide on a course of action. Even if it's just chilling out, drinking a beer and pinching off some ugly leaves.
     Sorry, everybody. I'll step off the soapbox now!
 

 

[nzchili]

The brownish discoloration, IMO is a tick towards it being mites.
Maybe russet mites or  broad mites.
A bit of sulphur spray isnt going to hurt anything, mites or no mites. worth a try I reckon

 

[pecker88]

 
     I agree100%. If no mites can be found this is classic growth regulator herbicide (2,4-d) damage.
     I remember back in the day when I used to try to help folks who posted pics of similarly damaged plants. It seemed my advice always got drowned out by everyone screaming "MITES!" (even though no one had identified them or even looked yet).
     People don't seem to realize how far 2,4-d vapor can travel in the air or how even a tiny amount can cause significant damage. The problem is, people see the damage and reflexively spray pesticides. Then, when the herbicide has worked its way out of the plant's system and the plants start looking normal again, they claim victory and assume the spraying did the trick. That reinforces the habit.
     Ugh. Sometimes people need to take a step back and concentrate on determining the causative factor. And then decide on a course of action. Even if it's just chilling out, drinking a beer and pinching off some ugly leaves.
     Sorry, everybody. I'll step off the soapbox now!
 

 
Agreed. I'll just add to 2,4-D drift issues, it can also vaporize in the heat and drift AFTER being applied when there was no wind.
A relative of mine spot sprayed her yard for dandelions during a 100% calm morning, there was NO wind. A few days later her knockout rose bushes about 20 ft away were curling and displaying signs of herb. drift.
 
The cause: after the initial wind-less application of 2,4-D that morning, it turned hot a few hrs later with a West breeze and the spray vaporized and drifted over to the rose bushes.
 
No, I'm not a fan of everything organic, nor do I wish that every weed was pulled rather then sprayed. Actually, my family uses thousands of gallons of herbicides and pesticides every year in the ag industry. Don't get me started with the health effects (bladder cancer among others that we have personally experienced), but when gardening, the experience is supposed to be enjoyable. And, dealing with herb. drift, contamination and residual 7 yrs after it was applied can really take the fun out of it, and in my opinion, not worth it at ALL.
 

 

[Beardedpepper]

Could this be a chlorine issue? Are you using city water?

 

[solid7]

Could this be a chlorine issue?

 

Nah.  It's definitely not that.

 

[Hybrid Mode 01]

 
Agreed. I'll just add to 2,4-D drift issues, it can also vaporize in the heat and drift AFTER being applied when there was no wind.
A relative of mine spot sprayed her yard for dandelions during a 100% calm morning, there was NO wind. A few days later her knockout rose bushes about 20 ft away were curling and displaying signs of herb. drift.
 
The cause: after the initial wind-less application of 2,4-D that morning, it turned hot a few hrs later with a West breeze and the spray vaporized and drifted over to the rose bushes.
 
No, I'm not a fan of everything organic, nor do I wish that every weed was pulled rather then sprayed. Actually, my family uses thousands of gallons of herbicides and pesticides every year in the ag industry. Don't get me started with the health effects (bladder cancer among others that we have personally experienced), but when gardening, the experience is supposed to be enjoyable. And, dealing with herb. drift, contamination and residual 7 yrs after it was applied can really take the fun out of it, and in my opinion, not worth it at ALL.
 

 
     F**king nailed it.