Caring for Pepper Plants

Insects, Diseases and Proper Tilling

May 31, 2009

Simply putting peppers in the ground doesn't end the job of raising peppers. A few other chores are required.

During the growing season, peppers need some care and nurturing.

Tilling Peppers

Tilling is necessary for pepper plants to produce optimally. However, pepper roots are shallow. Therefore, till or hoe the soil around the plants very lightly. Deep tilling will cut the roots.

Fertilizing Peppers

When the peppers begin fruiting, put two tablespoons of 10-10-10 (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) around each plant. Sprinkle the fertilizer in a ring about six inches from the stem. Water after fertilizing. This will help increase the yield and the quality.

Insects Harmful to Peppers

Several types of insects can cause damage to pepper plants.

Aphids are most common. Control aphids with organic treatments. The best organic treatment is a hard spray of water upward under the leaves. Since aphids generally are prevalent on the underside of leaves, this spraying will dislodge them and wash them to the ground. Neophyte gardeners argue that this doesn’t solve the problem because the aphids are still alive. However, aphids are born, live and die on the same leaf. An aphid washed off by a burst of spray from a hose will take several lifetimes to climb back up the stem of a pepper plant. It will surely starve to death or succumb to a predator long before it can get back up to the leaf level. Mix a surfactant like dishwashing liquid to help dislodge them.
Leaf miners make little “tunnels” or what resembles tiny “trails” on the leaves. These are actually small larvae (usually yellow) that live inside leaves. Beneficial insects such as parasitic wasps (Diglyphus isaea and Dacnusa sibirica) go a long way toward controlling leaf miners and are available at many garden supply houses.
Flea Beetles eat holes in leaves. They are tiny (only 1/16 inch long) are metallic black or bronze, but they could also be black, blue or green. Another parasitic wasp (Microcotonus vittage) kills adult flea beetles and sterilizes female flea beetles.

Diseases

Pepper diseases start quickly when the weather is mild. Fungus and bacteria grow readily under such conditions. There are organic sprays available, which cover most plant diseases. Ask your local extension service officer or master gardener for identification and direction.

Harvesting Peppers

Pick peppers when they mature. This will enhance yield. In eight to nine weeks, peppers should be ready to harvest. Some gardeners like to wait until the peppers turn red before harvesting. This is okay too. They will still be good to eat. Jalapenos however reach maturity when they turn a dark, rich green.

Peppers High in Vitamins

Green and red peppers are high in Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Red peppers contain more Vitamin A than green ones do.

Storing Peppers

Peppers can be stored in the refrigerator. Use these three to five days after harvesting. Letting a pepper stand a few days after harvesting will enhance flavor. Freezing will not affect the potency of peppers.