We built some new raised beds earlier in the summer, soil was a 'herb and vege mix' recommended for raised beds from a local supplier. Everything was looking lovely and lush, but over the past few weeks we've noticed the new growth on more and more plants has become warped, twisted and wrinkly. Pictured are two capsicums, an eggplant and the tomato. They've mostly flowered and set fruit, though mostly on older (smoother) growth – the worst affected capsicum and the tomato have only produced deformed flowers, so no fruit there. The zucchini is looking ok but about 60% of the fruits are yellowing before they mature.
I've done a fair bit of container gardening using the pre-packaged potting mix and never had any issues like this, and I'm at a bit of a loss! Initially thought it was a disease just affecting the tomato, but now everything is affected I'm wondering if it's a soil issue (hopefully that can be rectified?). I have a few peppers still in pots, and they're all healthy with not a wrinkled leaf in sight.
Located in Vic.
by PolarTransmission
9 Comments
Kinda looks like thrips and zucchinis going yellow is a pollination thing
I had this happen to some tomatoes I raised from seed -had the same malformed leaves but also with visible yellow veins. Eventually narrowed it down to glyphosate/weed killer contamination running off from my neighbours yard. Sucks.
Looks like chili thrips. We have them here in WA.
Every day for the rest of the season until it drops below 25 C daytime max temps, you’ll have to do this. In the morning, get the hose out and hose down the plants. Do this at least once a day. Spray the leaves and growth nodes with a hose. New growth should come back normal. The spray dislodges the thrips. Unfortunately they stay dormant in the soil, they return after winter. Beneficial insects may keep them under control.
All other chemicals are expensive and you’ll need to spray anyway. They all say not to spray above 25 C and to avoid sunny days. I consider them a waste of money.
It could be herbicide damage from contaminated soil. There was a lot of chat about it in a local flower group I’m in a couple of years ago. Soil can be really hit and miss. If you do think it is, try contacting the supplier or brand.
I got that weird leaf/plant deformity this year in raised gardens using a lot of packaged ‘compost’
Having a garden bed against a house encourages termites
Is it new soil? Could be contaminated with residual herbicide. Bagged soil can be hit and miss with it, I’ve had it happen with cheap bags and the more expensive ones.
If it is, it’ll eventually wash out of the soil but you’ll get deformed growth for a while longer.
The other cause could be bugs like others have suggested
I’ve got the same issue with my eggplant and Capsicum. No idea what’s causing it.
I grow dahlias, the most sensitive pansy plant on the planet, and when this presents in the leaves its either broad mites or herbicide drift from bagged compost/soil. This looks more like a herbicide drift to me. The frequently suggested fix for the dahlias is adding a good helping of gypsum to the soil around the base of the plant and watering it in thoroughly. Hope this helps!! 💜🌸