Bought a scotch bonnet and Carolina reaper plant from a nursery a few weeks ago. Tried to harden it off (did 2 hours a day in the sun every other day 3x) and have now put them outside in full sun permanently. I also repotted them a few weeks ago and used the nurseries recommended transplanter when I did it as well.
The plants don't seem healthy, bottom leaves are turning yellow and they're starting to droop a bit.
I am watering every 2 days or so (sticking finger in soil to see if still moist).
by curlyfacephil
5 Comments
Bottom leaves are turning yellow => “I need nitrogen”
It’s pulling nitrogen from the bottom leaves to use for new growth
Focus on the new leaf growth, if they appear and they are healthy you are on the good track. That is the most important indicator. The older and big leafs sometimes die because of transplant shock and new growing location. Fertilize once a week and water when first 2 inch of soil is dry.
That terracotta pot is likely sucking the life out of it.
Looks a bit hungry. Where are you located ? My super hots are from the same place 😂
https://preview.redd.it/g5fh4vuqyp6f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=081002f4713571c271b4ac8c47dcda788e7b48fb
I agree with the comments that it needs nitrogen. In a terracotta pot, it probably needs more water too, depending on how hot it is where you are.
That soil looks like ground up wood or very peaty, so it’s going to drain well, which my peppers like since they don’t want wet feet, but it also doesn’t hold onto nutrients well. Personally I’ve found that a mix of some dark black soil that has a little clay in it, mixed with peat and vermiculite and perlite to loosen it up, works well for the varieties I grow. I add a pinch of sand too, just for a diversity of particle sizes, and my thinking that it adds some minerals, but it does make the mix slightly heavier.