Thin spot on ghost pepper stem...

VirgilCane

VirgilCane

Hey everyone,
 
I was looking at my ghost pepper plant growing indoors and I noticed something strange. The plant is at most a couple months old and about 4 inches tall now and is seemingly quite healthy, with 8 good sized dark green leaves and 2 more forming. The stem is healthy, then when it gets down to where it goes into the substraight, there is a much thinner section that is black about a quarter of an inch long, then if you dig a little into the substraight it thickens back up and is nice and green again. I have a bad feeling about it, so figured I'd ask the experts.
 
Is it still considered a seedling if it has been growing for that long? I have been watering in small amounts twice a week, once the soil feels dried out. Do you think the plant is savable?
 
Damping off is most common on a seedling, but this is not unheard of. As Filmost said, keep the top of the soil a little dryer and hope for the best.
 
I believe damping off is a fungus, so H2O2 or some other fungicide will help get rid of it if it is still actively eating away at the plant.
 
+1 to what Filmost said. Yes, damping off is a fungus, and it is a soil-born fungus, so as noted, keeping the surface of the soil dry helps prevent it. Yes, bottom-water and get a fan for circulation, and yes, use hydrogen peroxide on the soil to help kill it off - just mist the soil with it. Also, it's a good idea to scrape off the top surface of the soil as best you can, or even remove entirely and repot in fresh soil - it's small enough this shouldn't be a biggie. When you repot, first mist the plant with H2O2 then repot ensuring the part that's thinned is now below the surface. Also, use a wood skewer next to it and tie the plant to the skewer for support - the stem is weak at that point so won't be able to support the plant for a while. Note that damping off can kill your plant, but if it hasn't fallen over yet there's a good chance it's salvageable. 
 
Thanks everyone. I will report back on whether or not the plant survives or dies! If not, I will consider it a learning experience. Anyone have any regular ghost seeds laying around they'd be willing to donate in the likely chance this dies?
 
Welp, this plant is still alive and kicking! I used the peroxide on it and while the thin spot is still there, the plant continues to grow. I'm frankly surprised that it is still alive because everything indicated that it would likely die. We will see if it goes anywhere!
 
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