Plant guide:🌶️ Chili Pepper
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Light
Sunscald on Pepper Fruit
Commonly affects: Capsicum annuum, Capsicum chinense (Chili Pepper)
A pale, blistered, papery patch develops on the side of the fruit facing direct sun, usually after a sudden increase in sun exposure. The affected area may later turn white or tan and feel dry and thin compared to the rest of the fruit.
Potential Causes
- 1Sudden exposure to intense direct sun after heavy pruning removed sheltering foliage
- 2Fruit developing on a plant with sparse leaf cover, exposing it directly to midday sun
- 3A recent heatwave following a period of cloudier weather, giving the plant no time to acclimate
Solution Steps
- 1Avoid removing large amounts of foliage at once � prune gradually so fruit isn't suddenly exposed.
- 2Provide temporary shade cloth over the plant during extreme heat events.
- 3Harvest affected fruit promptly, as the damaged tissue is prone to secondary rot.
- 4Encourage fuller foliage growth with balanced feeding so future fruit has natural leaf cover.
Prevention Tip
Prune peppers gradually rather than all at once, and keep enough foliage cover to naturally shade developing fruit during the hottest part of the day.
