this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2026
46 points (97.9% liked)

Gardening

6654 readers
93 users here now

Your Ultimate Gardening Guide.

Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
scarabic@lemmy.world
sabbah@lemmy.world
ManamaKhan@lemmy.world
Spacebar@lemmy.world
Bitswap@lemmy.world
46
What's wrong with my habanero chili plant? Why are the leaves wrinkling? (slrpnk.net)
submitted 1 month ago by Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net to c/gardening@lemmy.world
14 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

It's not a nutrient issue, I tested the pH and EC.

I also doubt it's dehydration or suffocation, because it's in an optimal hydroponic environment.

So, there's only three options left I guess.

Option 1: wind damage.
It was quite stormy about one or two weeks ago. Maybe it got root damage (unlikely, small plant), or it bend too much?

Option 2: temperature fluctuations.
At the same time of the storm, the night temperatures dropped quite a bit (lowest: 12°C). And now, it raised to 40°C just a few days after.
Or,

Option 3: sunburn.
It's under a shaded cloth, and gets direct sun only at afternoon, if at all.
All other plants (e.g. pepino) do very well and have no light stress.

Or is it something different?

It also lost a few pollinated buds. Is that a very bad sign?

New growth this week has appeared wrinkled as well.

all 16 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That's quite a temperature swing. I'd also note that Capsicum Chinense family likes more dry conditions, whereas the Annuum (Thai) are used to more humid and wet environments. Probably why that one looks healthier.

General rule of thumb: thin skin peppers like dry, and thicker skinner peppers like more water. If you try to grow Bell peppers next to Aji peppers in the exact same soil conditions, one will over overwatered, and one will be underwatered, if that helps illustrate the difference.

[–] CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Chilli plants usually aren't keen on colder temperatures. I tend to bring mine indoors when temp is below 15 overnight. Haven't tried that type though.

Edit: actually looks like something eating the leaves. Are they thin spider type things on the leaves? Looks like nibble marks all around the edge.

[–] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It's full summer right now, there was just a cold spell with bad weather.

There also aren't any pests, I spray it regularly with neem oil and check for abnormalities.

[–] CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Zoom in on your picture around the problem leaves. It looks like some form of pest on it. I have no idea what.

I looked at this and it's interesting: https://veggiepatchideas.co.uk/common-pests-for-chilies-a-growers-guide-to-protection/

Under thrips: "Grey to black markings on fruits are another sign. These markings can make fruits grow in strange shapes. This damage can hurt the yield of chili crops a lot."

Some pictures look like your problem leaves. Worth checking.

[–] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

No pests visible, neither on old, nor on new growth shoots

[–] CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Fair and good to check.

Is the black a mould or damage? Are you watering when sun is not hottest? (It doesn't look like scorching). How frequently do you water? Is it over watered? Are the chilli OK or not produced yet?

[–] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago

Is the black a mould or damage?

Damage

Are you watering when sun is not hottest?

How frequently do you water? Is it over watered?

It's in hydro, as mentioned in the post. It's a recirculating drip system with LECA. The clay balls are constantly damp, and there's an overabundance of water, nutrients and oxygen at the same time. Zero root rot ever.

Are the chilli OK or not produced yet?

No harvest or fruits yet. The flower pods fall off. I've checked the EC and pH, and flushed the reservoir. There could have been slight nutrient uptake issues in the last days or weeks, but nothing major.

[–] The_v@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What micronutrient package are your using. Looks like boron deficiency to me.

[–] Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Using Masterblend and never had any issues with it. Also added silicate, both foliar and in the nutrient solution.

The reservoir is also very big for the relatively small plant and the nutrient solution isn't old.

There's a thai chili next to it, and it looks very healthy.

[–] StarvingMartist@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 month ago

I was about to post but it seems I'm way out of my depth amongst these green thumbs lol

[–] ExhaleSmile@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago

Gotta sing spicy Latin music to them...