I have been growing green peppers for over ten years. The ride was fun and exciting until I noticed my green peppers turning black or dark purple. It was through costly trial and error that I was helped to discover the reason behind black peppers.
So why are my green peppers turning black? Green peppers that turn black are the result of natural aging, direct sunlight, low temperatures, pests, and disease. But there are varieties of green peppers that are prone to this dark purple or black discoloration.
Keep reading this guide to find out why bell peppers turn black. Peppers turning black will help you find ways to fix the problem. You will also learn about pepper varieties that are vulnerable to black or dark purple colors.
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Why are my peppers turning black? (Causes and Solutions)
There are many reasons why green peppers turn black. Some causes of pepper blackening are unavoidable. But black spots on green peppers can be avoided.
If you notice green peppers turning black, don’t worry. The information in this article highlights the causes and remedies for black spot on peppers.
Below are the possible causes of green peppers turning black or dark purple. Take the time to read it and learn how to resolve each cause.
natural aging process
The aging of plants and animals is inevitable. Each plant species has unique aging characteristics that set it apart from other species.
Most green peppers turn black or dark purple during the ripening process. There is no need to panic as this is normal with certain varieties of green peppers.
direct sun exposure
Green peppers thrive in direct and indirect sunlight. Natural light allows the pepper plant to carry out its physiological activities without problems.
Exposure to direct sunlight will turn green peppers black or dark purple. It is a natural defense mechanism against UV rays.
Sunburn on pepper plants is the worst symptom. Bleached dry patches can increase the risk of pepper plant death. Move the current position of your peppers to a shadow.
cold temperatures
Most pepper varieties like a temperature range of 65-80OF (18-27.)OC). The temperature favors flowering, pollination and fruiting.
Green jalapeno peppers take on a dark purple discoloration in cold weather. Any temperature below 46OF (8OC) can damage the pepper fruit.
Use a digital garden thermometer to detect temperature changes. I recommend growing green peppers in the greenhouse over winter, as they are more vulnerable to frost.
kinds of black pepper
Green peppers come in different varieties. Some green peppers retain their color when ripe, and others turn black or dark purple.
Black pepper varieties include jalapenos and black peppercorns. Those green peppers that turn black when ripe are normal. There is no need to worry as these are genetic traits.
Green Pepper Diseases
Green peppers are susceptible to disease under poor growing conditions. Some infections blacken the stem of the pepper plant.
Do not eat black spots on peppers without finding the cause. Also, black spots on peppers are not safe to eat. But you can eat black peppers.
Here are the potential green pepper diseases to consider:
Ripening pepper fruits experience a variety of fungal conditions. Anthracnose is a common fungal disease that often causes black rings to form on pepper fruit.
Phytophthora blight is another fungal disease that causes black spots on the fruits and stems of peppers and even leads to wilting of the whole plant.
Dealing with these black cankers on pepper plants is a daunting experience for new gardeners. It is best to inspect and remove the plant to prevent the spread of fungal diseases.
- Blossom end rot
The crop problem is characterized by black spots on the stems of pepper plants, sunken and rotten fruits. The condition usually occurs when the soil lacks calcium.
Also, the problem can arise when the pepper plant is unable to absorb calcium minerals from the soil. You will notice that the leaves of the pepper darken during the different stages of growth.
It is an infection caused by the tomato spotted wilt virus. The condition causes light-colored rings to form on the pepper fruits, which later turn black.
The affected pepper may also show black spots on the leaves and wilting. When the condition is severe, the infected plant automatically dies.
The most common infection occurs following intercropping. The disease often causes black cankers to form on pepper plants.
However, it can be easily confused with bacterial spot. The disease usually occurs at high temperatures and high humidity.
parasitic infection
Some of the common pests that afflict pepper plants include whiteflies, aphids, and thrips. These pests cause the leaves of the pepper plant to curl and develop black spots.
The blackheads are believed to be the droppings of these tiny insects. Excessive buildup causes the leaves to dry out and drop over time.
artificial herbicides
Using artificial herbicides to control weeds in your pepper plant can be another possible cause of black spots on the stems, leaves, and fruits of pepper plants.
The problem occurs due to the chemical content of herbicides. We recommend using compost and mulch to avoid such problems.
How can you prevent peppers from getting sick?
Treating pepper plants that have developed diseases is quite tricky. However, the following methods will help protect your green peppers from developing disease:
Plant resistant varieties of pepper
Buy pepper varieties that are resistant to common diseases in your area. Always make a habit of reading the seed packet label. It usually shows disease resistance in plant descriptions.
Adopt crop rotation
Get into the habit of changing the plants every year in your garden. The idea will help prevent green peppers from developing disease; Additionally, the practice helps prevent soil nutrient depletion.
Consider drip irrigation
Watering green peppers should be done close to the ground. Helps encourage stronger root system development. This is the reason behind the recommendation of drip irrigation.
Fountain irrigation tends to spray water onto the leaves, which are likely to stay wet for a long time. Therefore, it can lead to black spots on the leaves due to wet rot.
Get rid of infected plants
Most green pepper diseases can spread from plant to plant. The best solution to consider is to remove the infected plant from others.
Do not compost plant debris, as the disease can survive in the soil or compost for many years. Exterminating the plant seems to be the best solution.
Ultimately
I hope this information can help you identify possible causes of black spots on pepper fruits, stems and leaves. Remember to take appropriate action to prevent green pepper problems from recurring in the future.
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