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Why are my potted peppers dropping leaves?

9 years ago

I have some bihs and douglahs, 1 serrano I've had in pots a few years. The Douglah dropped some leaves this spring but perked up this summer after adding potting soil (they're in the largest pots I own) and fertilizing, they didn't go outside though. 1 has dropped all the leaves and the upper branches are brittle, but has new growth low down. I don't know if cutting it off just above those will stimulate new growth. The other looks OK but has started dropping leaves again.

The bihs grew 1 big main stem with lots of leaves coming right off, never really branched out, again looked bad at the end of the spring but I potted them up to larger pots and they took off. Those were outside most of the summer. Unfortunately they and the serrano picked up aphids so I've had to spray them with insecticidal soap a couple of times this month. I haven't fertilized again b/c of the aphids but they still look dark green, they're just dropping perfect-looking leaves at the slightest movement. Is this b/c of the aphids, the soap, or maybe overwatering? I let them soak in the laundry sink overnight, not a lot of water but maybe too long?

Sorry I took pix and shared them on iCloud but can't get them to post. I might have to copy them to My Pictures on the computer and do that later.

This post was edited by ajsmama on Thu, Oct 16, 14 at 15:00

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Comments (5)

2ajsmama
Original Author
9 years ago
I did have to move them to a different folder - couldn't post from my iCloud folders. The bih in front (with the pod) dropped about half its leaves today when I picked it up out of the laundry sink (it had been draining yesterday, again I don't think I overwatered but I did spray it yesterday morning).
2ajsmama
Original Author
9 years ago
I sprayed earlier this week, still see aphids. How often can I drench these with Organicide? They're still dropping leaves. Please help save my plants!
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centexan254 zone 8 Temple, Tx
9 years ago
If you brought them inside to stay they will shed leaves. More will grow back. I remove the largest leaves on the ones that will be kept inside for the winter to keep from having to clean up the mess. Also mine would grow large leaves, then shed them. More small ones would start.
2ajsmama
Original Author
9 years ago
The Douglah weren't out for very long - like a day while I added potting soil and fertilized them with fish emulsion midsummer - and 1 is fine. Should I just cut the other to stimulate growth?

The bihs and serrano were out all summer, that's how they got aphids. I'll just try to keep up with them, thanks. These are in the family room in the south bay window, near the couch and I still got a couple aphids on my hands while I'm sitting here typing this AM so I'm not sure how long it will take to get rid of them. I guess I should move the 2 Douglah to another room so they don't get infested (if they aren't already).

We've got tons of ladybugs now - anyone know if the Asiatic (orange) ones eat aphids ;-)?

This post was edited by ajsmama on Fri, Oct 17, 14 at 12:01
cottonwood468
9 years ago
I brought a plant in for its second winter, it is doing that, too. It will be fine. New leaves coming in.

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