I started seeds a few weeks ago and the plants are growing well, but the older leaves are bumpy and super curly, which I assume is edema. However
1) There are two fans in there, one which is pointed directly at these two plants (which are the oldest and showing the worst signs)
2) There are two hygrometers, both of which read around 40-50% most of the time, which I read should be great for peppers (the temp is 70-80)
3) I tried reducing watering, but they're honestly quite dry much of the time (I really need to up pot them, so they dry out quickly in such small pots) so I don't think too much water is the issue
Could it possibly be due to poorly draining or compacted soil? I did fluff it up thoroughly before planting them, but it was reused from last year and went through a few freeze cycles, which I'm not sure would affect the texture (drainage and compactibility) or not. Would repotting and mixing in some perlite possibly help?
Thoughts would be greatly appreciated! I'm worried these plants might be stunted from their unideal start and wondering if I should start some new seeds ASAP, but I don't want the new seedlings to suffer the same fate!
by kinezumi89
3 Comments
Can’t say for sure since I’ve never used a hydrometer but I’m 90% confident it’s overwatering. I wait until the pot they are in feels genuinely light before watering, like virtually no water left in the soil. It is better to let them get a little wilted before watering than trying to prevent them from wilting at all. Peppers are adapted to hot dry weather and will perk back up very quickly from a light wilt. I’d recommend waiting to water until they are a little limp for a few weeks and seeing if the new leaves come in without the edema. The edema will never go away on leaves that already have it but it won’t harm the plant to keep them.
Edit to add that the pepper looks decently healthy to me and I would not restart seeds. Eventually the edema effected leaves can be cut off which is good anyways since you don’t want leaves touching the soil
They need fresh air.
Blowing around the same air won’t help. That’s like breathing into a plastic bag.
Are you using a heat mat? Heat mats are a prime contributor. Peppers should only have the heat mats until germination. So if you’re using one discontinue using ASAP.
But most of all…your plants need fresh air. Open a window. Take them outside or to the kitchen or living room for an hour or two. Preferably daily if possible. At a minimum open a window or door. Have the fan blow in some fresh air.
Lot of good info in this thread I can use for my plant that is showing signs of edema. Thanks everyone for the comments.