Summer gardeners want to grow as many different crops as possible on their plot, so that everything on the table is homemade, grown with love and with their own hands. Many of us ask a logical question: why do peppers rot in a greenhouse? After all, it is not exposed to direct sunlight, rain and wind. It is very sad that after hard work our plants begin to get sick. It seems that everything has been done correctly: the greenhouse has been set up and watering is regular, but the crops are dying. Let's look at this issue in more detail.
What conditions are needed for the growth of sweet peppers?
Conditions necessary for normal growth and development of sweet pepper bushes:
- loose light soil;
- air humidity not higher than 60%;
- watering as the top layer of soil dries;
- proper fertilizer;
- ventilation mode;
- soil temperature within 25 degrees.
These five points are the basis for a good pepper harvest.
Diseases of bell peppers
Diseases in bell peppers can be caused by violations of one or more growing conditions. For example, elevated temperatures or humidity, unbalanced fertilizing, poor-quality heavy soil or lack of ventilation. Let's look at some of the main types of pepper diseases:
- Apex rot.
- Late blight.
- Blackleg.
- Spotted wilt.
- Gray rot.
Apical rot
If brown spots appear on the pepper, then this is the beginning of the disease with blossom end rot. It is manifested by the appearance of dark brown spots on the tops of the fruits, which grow. These spots are dry to the touch. As the disease progresses, the spots become larger and flat or depressed areas of dry rot appear. Affected vegetables stop growing and ripen quickly. Fruits that have been affected by blossom end rot should not be eaten, as they have a bad taste and will not bring any benefit.
Some recommendations:
When studying blossom end rot, it was revealed that in 90% of cases of this disease, the cause is irregular watering at elevated temperatures. The regularity of soil moisture, temperature and air humidity should be optimal (temperature 18-22 degrees, humidity 60%). When air temperatures rise, watering should be increased and vice versa.Ventilation of peppers in the greenhouse also plays an important role.
Traditional methods of treating blossom end rot
What to do if blossom end rot starts on sweet peppers:
- One liter of milk is poured into a bucket and topped up with water to 10 liters. This solution is applied to the leaves and fruits of pepper once a week. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
- Dried eggshells crushed in a mortar are also used. It is crushed into powder, which is sprinkled on the holes before planting seedlings in them.
- Two tablespoons of chalk crushed into powder are mixed with one liter of warm water and watered on the affected bush.
However, it must be remembered that excess calcium content can lead to a lack of potassium in vegetables, and this can lead to problems with fruit ripening. Therefore, an integrated approach and moderation in soil fertilization are necessary.
Late blight
A common disease of peppers is late blight. To the question: why do pepper fruits turn black, we can definitely say that this is due to the penetration of the late blight fungus into the cells of the vegetable. The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance of small dirty green spots on the fruit. Then these spots become large and black spots and spoil the entire bush. The leaves of the plant bush become twisted, as if they were burnt. The plant dies. And fungal spores are spread to neighboring plants and enter the soil.
Recommendations for disease prevention
Peppers are treated for late blight using special chemicals. And prevention is carried out with a solution of Bordeaux mixture, also by spraying with Fitosporin-M, calcium nitrate, etc. Ventilation in greenhouses and watering the bushes with warm water also play a very important role.
Blackleg
Blackleg usually affects pepper seedlings. But it can also affect fruits when its spots appear on the fruits. It is characterized by the fact that on the bush, closer to the root, a dark gray or black area of necrosis appears. Then the root rots and the plant dies. Infection with black leg on pepper can be prevented if the seeds are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate and the seedlings are watered with a warm, weak solution of potassium permanganate. The natural antifungal drug Fitosporin also works very well. However, if the stems turn black, then such plants are urgently removed from the site and burned.
Spotted wilt
The answer to the question: why do peppers rot on bushes in a greenhouse may be that the plant has suffered from spotted wilt. This disease begins with dark yellow or brownish spots appearing on the leaves. They are similar to sunburn, so the appearance of dark ring-like dryness on the leaves and fruits of peppers is often confused with them.
The reason for the appearance of bronze is that this disease is transmitted by insects: aphids, cicadas, thrips. If insects appear on the plants, they must be treated with appropriate insecticides, and the plant must be treated with Fundazol.
Gray rot
Gray rot of peppers develops when the plant is exposed to conditions of very high humidity and heat. It affects all parts of the plant. The stem, as well as the leaves, fruits and flowers of the plant can rot. Decay is promoted by the proliferation of gray mold fungi. If the greenhouse air is very humid, the disease will spread to a large area of peppers very quickly. This could cause the entire crop to perish.
If sweet pepper grows outside, in a garden bed, then never plant it under trees and shrubs.Gray rot can appear after prolonged rains or with insufficient air aeration. This can happen if the peppers are planted too thickly or there is poor ventilation in the greenhouse.
Adviсe:
- Treatment for gray rot should be carried out immediately after its first signs are discovered. Treat the bushes after removing the affected areas of the plant and fruits with a fungicide solution.
Prevention from the disease is important. It consists of maintaining soil and air humidity levels.
