Juicy leaves and stems of pepper seedlings attract all sorts of pests. Adult insects and their larvae feed on the juices of young plants, preventing them from developing normally.
If the pest control is not started in time, the young plants may die. A gardener should use complex control measures, including thorough care, folk remedies and modern insecticides.
Today we will talk about the pests and diseases of the seedlings of pepper: how to treat it? Aphids on the seedlings of peppers? What to do if pimples appeared on the reverse leaves of pepper seedlings?
Causes of pests
In central Russia, seedlings of peppers are more often grown in an apartment. Insects pests typical of fields and gardens (for example, slugs and Colorado potato beetles) do not live at home. To the apartment they get along with the ground. The soil collected in the forest or in the garden contains harmful microorganisms, eggs and insect larvae, which tolerate dryness, low temperatures and other adverse conditions.
For soil disinfection, you can use one of the following methods:
- screening soil with the subsequent calcination (temperature not lower than 70 degrees);
- spilling of soil dark pink solution of potassium permanganate, an aqueous solution of copper sulphate or industrial preparations for disinfecting the soil.
Processing is carried out 12-14 hours before the transfer. If the prepared soil has not been used for a long time, it is better to repeat the decontamination. Boxes should be thoroughly washed and soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate. These simple measures will help get rid of even the most enduring pests.
Pests of pepper seedlings and the fight against them, photo
The most common parasites that attack shoots in different stages of growth - aphid, whitefly, thrips and spider mites. They feed on the sap of young plants, causing drying, twisting and dropping of leaves, cessation of growth and subsequent death.
The cause of pests can be too dry air, lack of ventilation, excessive heat and improper watering. Affected plants become more vulnerable to various diseases, moreover, the pests themselves often carry viruses and fungi.
Aphids on pepper seedlings? How to fight? On the appearance of aphids say sticky drips on the stems and petiolesas well as small bubbles on the back of the leaves. The affected plant is stunted, leaves wilting and curling. Aphids often attack in the greenhouse, but sometimes it penetrates into the apartment. To save the landing will help abundant spraying with an aqueous solution of ammonia.
Spider mite on pepper seedlings appears at the beginning of summer and is especially dangerous for plants growing in pots on balconies and window sills. Often he gets to the seedlings from potted plants or flowers planted on the balcony. At first small white dots appear on the back of the leaves, then white cobwebs appear on the stalks, gradually tightening the entire plant.
The fight must begin at the earliest stage, plants that are abundantly covered with cobwebs are very difficult to save. Seedling plentifully sprayed with ash water or tobacco dust infusion. The procedure is carried out every morning until the complete disappearance of the pest.
Small flying trips, midges on the seedlings of pepper, almost imperceptible on the plant. The larvae, gnawing tender roots and slowing the growth of plants, are dangerous. With a strong defeat, the seedlings in the container die in a few days. Save the planting will help spilling the soil with a pink solution of potassium permanganate or drugs with carbol.
Small whitefly butterflies attack in greenhouses and apartments. Indicates their appearance fine white dust that covers leaves. Sick plants should be immediately isolated and sprayed with insecticides. To protect the landing from the whitefly will help sticky tape from flies, hung next to the containers.
Who eats pepper seedlings? What to process?
Some gardeners prefer to grow seedlings in greenhouses, allocating under it certain sections of soil or place on the shelves. This method provides the optimum temperature, allows uninterrupted production of the crop throughout the year.
The most frequent visitor to greenhouses - bare slug. Pests are attracted by a humid and warm atmosphere, an abundance of greenery. Often slugs fall on the seedlings of pepper from adult plants. Pests spoil the leaves and stemsloosening young sprouts. Frequent spraying of plantings with warm water with the addition of liquid ammonia will help to destroy the uninvited guests.
Grown greenhouse seedlings are often attacked. colorado beetles. Larvae feed on succulent leaves, quickly destroying young plants. Seen insects are removed and destroyed. Landings can be sprayed with an aqueous solution of celandine.
Someone eats pepper seedlings? What to do? Most likely this Bears and scoops. These large insects gnaw the roots and stems, and both larvae and adults are dangerous. Pheromone traps laid out in plantations will help to destroy the scoop larvae. Spraying of seedlings with bio-preparations as well as prophylactic shedding of potassium permanganate solution also help.
For seedlings in the first phase of life is dangerous sprout fly. This small gray insect damages newly emerged shoots and even seeds.A fly does not appear often in apartments, but it is a frequent visitor in gardens and greenhouses.
For prophylaxis ground is spilled with a solution of potassium permanganate, and the seedlings themselves are sprayed with non-toxic bio-preparations. Preventive measures that destroy the larvae in the soil: sifting and roasting also help.
Pest control seedlings need to start at the earliest stages. Detect insects will help frequent preventive examinations. Having noticed damage or insects, it is important to treat all plantings, even those that the pests have not yet touched. Only completely healthy plants should be planted in a greenhouse or in the ground, otherwise you will have to forget about a good harvest.
So, we discussed the issue of concern to many gardeners: pest control in growing seedlings of pepper. And also gave advice on the case when the seedlings of the pepper attacked aphid, what to do in this situation?
Useful materials
Read other articles on pepper seedlings:
- Do I need to soak the seeds before planting?
- How to grow black pepper peas, chili, bitter or sweet at home?
- What are growth promoters and how to use them?
- The main reasons why seedlings are pulled out or fall.