Small Hole in Pepper

bbjm · July 16, 2006

Two Questions:

1. I heard, I believe on this forum, that picking the first pepper off the plant will help others mature and enhance production of the plant. Is that correct? No big deal if it isn't b/c I've already done it. I only have one Jal and one banana pepper. The unripe banana pepper tasted really good. I didn't eat the unripe Jal -- see question two.

2. I picked the largest unripe Jal today and discovered a little hole near the stem end of the pepper. I cut the pepper open and discovered a tiny little white worm living happily among the hot seeds. Does anybody have an idea what the worm is and what I should do to save my other peppers? There is little to no signs of leaf damage on the plant, so I hadn't been worried about pests. I only have the two pepper and 6 tomato plants and have had luck plucking individual hornworms and other leaf eaters. No spraying or dusting yet. Maybe it's time?

Thanks so much.

Bret in Kansas

July 16, 2006	#1
bbjm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 155	Small Hole in Pepper Two Questions: 1. I heard, I believe on this forum, that picking the first pepper off the plant will help others mature and enhance production of the plant. Is that correct? No big deal if it isn't b/c I've already done it. I only have one Jal and one banana pepper. The unripe banana pepper tasted really good. I didn't eat the unripe Jal -- see question two. 2. I picked the largest unripe Jal today and discovered a little hole near the stem end of the pepper. I cut the pepper open and discovered a tiny little white worm living happily among the hot seeds. Does anybody have an idea what the worm is and what I should do to save my other peppers? There is little to no signs of leaf damage on the plant, so I hadn't been worried about pests. I only have the two pepper and 6 tomato plants and have had luck plucking individual hornworms and other leaf eaters. No spraying or dusting yet. Maybe it's time? Thanks so much. Bret in Kansas