Why does pepper turn yellow in a greenhouse and what to do?
Beginning gardeners think that pepper does not need additional protection, as it is less picky and practically not susceptible to diseases. This is an erroneous opinion. In fact, yellow foliage is the main indicator that there is a problem in the plants. In closed greenhouses, pepper suffers most from care errors, so special attention should be paid to it.
The reasons
There are several reasons why peppers turn yellow. For example, it can be poor soil that lacks moisture or nutrients. Among the main factors:
- lack of sufficient irrigation;
- poorly fertilized soil;
- high humidity;
- lack of sufficient light;
- the presence of toxins;
- the influence of diseases or pests.
Agrotechnics teaches to follow the rules of crop rotation. Not all cultures are ideal for the neighborhood with pepper. It is especially not worth planting it in the soil where a plant that releases toxins into the soil previously grew.
Intertwining roots with neighbors also does not benefit - the system that provides nutrition to the entire plant suffers. Bushes begin to fight for space, crowding out each other (hence the need to keep a distance). In addition, spider mites, late blight, mosaic and other unpleasant diseases are the first reason why yellowing occurs on the foliage.
But this applies to open ground.It would seem that pepper is completely protected from negative factors in a greenhouse, but in fact this is the biggest misconception. The change in leaf color leads to:
- poor soil composition;
- non-compliance with the temperature regime;
- greenhouse infections;
- the appearance of slugs, bears and other pests.
The optimum humidity in the greenhouse for this crop should be 75%. If it is not enough, then yellowing will not keep you waiting. As for the indicators on the thermometer, even a slight decrease in air temperature leads to the fact that the plant is under stress. In addition, if watering is done incorrectly, the gardener will soon face the problem of the appearance of yellow leaves.
This culture is 90% water. As soon as moisture begins to be lacking, she will react sharply to this, instantly dropping leaves to support flowers and fruits. It is best to use automated drip irrigation inside the greenhouse (and even in open beds), which will be regulated in accordance with the exposed scheme. So waterlogging will not happen, and the vegetable will receive the required amount of moisture.
The greenhouse space must be ventilated, as it happens naturally in open beds. Leaving doors and windows open at night is not worth it, as the temperature is disturbed, which negatively affects the plants inside.
If you plant in the same place, then the plants can get sick. The gardener must always remember about crop rotation if he wants to get a quality harvest every year. Peppers cannot grow on acidic soil - this is also one of the reasons why plantings begin to turn yellow.
A strong root system is not always beneficial, since its growth leads to the fact that due to lack of nutrition, the foliage changes its shade and falls off. In this case, you should not influence the situation in any way - the problem will soon correct itself when the pepper grown in a cramped container develops enough roots to firmly sit in the ground.
The nature of yellowness speaks volumes. For example, with a lack of iron, it spreads from the center to the edges of the sheet. The appearance of spots of this shade indicates a lack of manganese. If the foliage not only turns yellow, but also grows crooked and falls off, it's time to think about top dressing with a calcium content.
This vegetable crop does not like drafts and lack of lighting. Under such conditions, a yellow tint is guaranteed. Planting peppers in the shade is not worth it.
The presence of pests is indicated not only by yellowness, but also by leaves twisted around the edges. In this case, it is urgent to treat the plant with Fitosporin.
"Phytoplasmosis" not only affects the color of the foliage, but also twists the leaves up in a boat. All affected shoots are destroyed. If only the tips begin to change in color, then the plant is deficient in nutrients. As a rule, this comes from a lack of nitrogen.
First aid
You can save the crop if you act immediately. In the absence of the required amount of moisture, it is enough to replenish it, and in the future not to violate the regime. Seedlings should be irrigated every 3 days if the soil dries quickly, or once every 5 days if it remains more or less wet.
Particular attention should be paid to fertilizing and fertilizing, since healthy peppers can resist diseases, and weak ones begin to die quickly. Among the fixed assets:
- "Kemira";
- "Aqua";
- "Nitrophoska";
- ash.
On the packages there is the correct ratio of powder to the liquid in which it is diluted. Violating the proportions is prohibited, since the drug can harm the plant, and not benefit. If the lower leaves fall off and spots appear, then these may be pests. Then the agent is selected individually, and the processing is carried out in accordance with the schedule established by the manufacturer.
Prevention
Preventive measures will allow in the future (even at the stage of crop ripening) to avoid many problems. Any actions should be aimed at protecting plants, eliminating the causes of diseases in the early stages. Among the main preventive actions:
- disinfection / soil preparation for planting;
- using only healthy plants and seeds;
- purchase of varieties with special resistance to diseases;
- spraying bushes.
It is required to disinfect not only the soil and seeds, but also the greenhouse itself, since spores also settle on its walls.
The best prevention of diseases / pests is a regular personal inspection of each plant.
It is worth using chemicals for spraying only when biological agents are ineffective or all bushes are affected.
Gardeners' mistakes
What are the most common gardening mistakes? which lead to the fact that the leaves of the pepper begin to turn yellow:
- when planting in a greenhouse or growing seedlings on a window, plants are not provided with a sufficient amount of daylight, the source of which can be lamps;
- non-compliance with the requirements for humidity of the room, soil;
- too high or low air temperatures or their sudden changes;
- watering is carried out with cold water;
- plants have not been treated for pests and diseases.
Knowing and understanding the causes of yellowing of foliage on pepper gives gardeners the opportunity to correct the situation in time to get a quality crop as a result. Compliance with the simplest rules will reduce labor costs in the future. Even a novice vegetable grower can easily and simply put into practice the rules of agricultural technology. The main thing is to follow them and not put off taking care of the plants until later.
We should not forget that watering, observing the temperature regime, spraying, high-quality lighting play a leading role in the cultivation of pepper. Plants planted in greenhouses require special attention - you will need to make nutrient solutions for feeding.
See below for details.