i am havinh a issue similar to teh above. I got my seeds at wal mart. first thing i want to say is these are really difficult plants to grow. they take forever to germinate and are easily stunted by the harsh new england weather. so despite thier dificulty to grow i am determined to get a good harvest out of a bell pepper plant. i germinated a couple seeds. the dog ripped one out of the pot and i put the pother inside a small grow box with the lights on 12/12 (first mistake) after doing a bit of reading i switched the light schedule to 18/6 and now the leaves are falling off. I believe it may be overwatering though i havent been watering much and they are in well drained soil, above mentioned light green leaves (which mine are turning light green) and then falling off, they are all sitting right in the bucket. i do know i have a couple fungus gnaats kicking around and i spray a pesticide to kill them but it is rated for vegatable plants. it is called Eight insect control, and says trusted by bonide since 1987 (or something like that). my pepper plants are starting to blossom at a mere 8 inces tall. i think the plant is short because of the 12/12 light schedule i had it on in the begining wich forced it to stop vertical growth and begin its flowering period. (i am assuming bell pepper plants are a photoperiod plant) so the question is, is it bad genetics? is it overwatering? is it the change in light schedule and the plant reverting back to a vegatative growth stage? is it insect damage (i really dont think it is) just figured i would put my 2 cents in maybe it will help someone else along the way :) any responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Matt

blossfeldiana is the most common kind sold in bloom in winter. Many advise that you just toss it when it stops blooming because it is difficult to bloom again. Its a short day plant that requires special treatment in the fall to get it to bloom again. But, if you like it without blooms, you can maintain it. It is a succulent that requires bright light and fast draining soil. It should not have a white powdery coating. You are probably right in thinking that is a fungus, possibly powdery mildew. That is made worse by overwatering and high humidity. The leaves that are falling off are dead. All of the dead and dying leaves should be removed because they have fungus spores on them. If you can give it brighter light, dryer conditions and good air circulation, it may survive. When spring comes, if it seems a little healthier, you could transplant to better soil, like a good quality cactus mix or one of the soil mixes discussed in the container growing forum.

Since you don't specify the name/type of rose, I can't be sure, but it looks to me like you have abnormally abundant thorns. If so, you have the dreaded rose rosetta disease. RRD manifests differently on different roses, but on many one gets very thick, fleshy stalks with way too many thorns. They have grown too quickly and can't support the weight. Often the green is lighter than the other stalks/canes. Those that do make it will usually start putting forth a witches broom. More photos would be helpful. If it is RRD, you must get rid of it.

Two days ago I received a double begonia hanging basket. It was beautiful with pale pink blooms that looked like miniture roses. The next morning the blooms were on the floor. If you just barely touch the plant, remaining blooms fall off. It now has many buds, but no open blossums. It is inside, near a south window but not in direct sunlight. It just seems so weak. What should I do?