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

Suze · July 17, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbjm

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?

My personal experience says that not leaving peppers on the plant overly long (especially the first flush) can help to keep plants at good production levels.

I think the post you're referring to is this one by barkeater:
Lack of productivity with peppers can often be caused by not picking them! ALWAYS pick the first peppers as soon as they reach full size and are green. That stimulates the plant to produce more fruit. If you leave the first peppers on until they turn red, you'll get very poor production, and they won't turn red any faster.[...]

Quote:

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?

For a specific ID -- see http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selec...t.peppers.html

Get some Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) and spray once a week or so.

Love2Troll · July 19, 2006

Occasionally I get a pepper maggot too. However, I see no reason to spray even the safest of pesticides unless it really becomes a problem.

Has anyone here ever had a major infestation? Or even a moderate infestation?

jt

barkeater · July 21, 2006

Yes, pepper maggots are a serious problem in NJ. They favor cherry peppers the most but also are serious pests of all sweet peppers. I had very little damage to jalapenos or long hots.

In the mid 90's the pepper maggots really started decimating Eggplants too, leaving dimples all over the eggplant where they layed their eggs. Mid to late August I would have to strip every eggplant off and discard them. Then the rest of the season there would be no problem.

Unfortunately, bt will have NO effect. Pepper maggots are fly larva (diptera).

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

July 19, 2006	#3
Love2Troll Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 64079 (Missouri) Posts: 252	Occasionally I get a pepper maggot too. However, I see no reason to spray even the safest of pesticides unless it really becomes a problem. Has anyone here ever had a major infestation? Or even a moderate infestation? jt

July 21, 2006	#4
barkeater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NE Kingdom, VT - Zone 3b Posts: 1,439	Yes, pepper maggots are a serious problem in NJ. They favor cherry peppers the most but also are serious pests of all sweet peppers. I had very little damage to jalapenos or long hots. In the mid 90's the pepper maggots really started decimating Eggplants too, leaving dimples all over the eggplant where they layed their eggs. Mid to late August I would have to strip every eggplant off and discard them. Then the rest of the season there would be no problem. Unfortunately, bt will have NO effect. Pepper maggots are fly larva (diptera).