Question
dead new growth at lea
I've had this wonderfully prolific indoor jalapeno-type chilli plant for nearly two years (it has survived one winter), but something has gone wrong recently. I repotted the plant while it was fruiting recently and it didn't seem bothered: it had a relatively good harvest (40 chillies in total although with unusually high numbers (15) of aborted mid-sized chillies and chillies without the normal shiny waxy coat). Also, all the tiny new leaf shoots from the leaf axils have suddenly turned black, dried up and died off. Most of the ripe chillies have now been harvested, just a couple remain, and 8 of the plant's 'held-in-reserve' baby chillies (while the main harvest was in progress, these 1/2cm fruit seemed in suspended animation) have suddenly begun growing again. So that is a good sign, at least. But as I said, every single growing shoot at the leaf axils have all shriveled and died off, and I can spot no new leaf growth anywhere. There are no aphids, nor any visible insects, though some leaves have some silvery patches and pin-prick bumps. Do you know what is wrong with the plant? Is there any hope? I have attached a pic of the dead tips at the axils. You can zoom in very close. Thank you so much in advance.
AnswerPat:
I think that your jalapenos have either nemitodes or a fungus. At this stage it will be difficult to treat a root condition. You might try injecting a general fungicide to the roots with some kind of hand pump.
I also suggest that you buy fresh seeds as they loose their hybrid affect if you try to reuse the seeds.
Best wishes.
Don
