Here is a close up.

This post was edited by kclost on Fri, May 30, 14 at 19:32

Sorry to say this, but that's herbicide damage.

Any weed killers used in the area?
What is in the growing mix? Any manures or compost?

That is what it looks like to me also. If it is, it has to be from grass clippings. Is that possible if weed and feed was used on the lawn months earlier?

Yes.

KC, you probably nailed it.
Then I know that tomatoes are super sensitive but I did not know how sensitive peppers are.

I have good news. My plants in the garden seem to be coming out of it and are producing more normal looking leaves now. I do not believe the small brittle leaves were because of herbicide. Because I went and took a picture of some plants I sold to a nursery and they appear to be looking the same way as mine did, still in the original MG planting soil. Take a look. I still don't know what was going on though.

This post was edited by kclost on Sat, Jun 7, 14 at 16:41

When plants receive a low -- non-lethal -- dose, new growth will distort but will return to normal growth in relatively short order.

Double post.

This post was edited by kclost on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 15:21

I agree with you completely. .. But why did the potted plants with no possible herbicide contamination do the same thing in Miracle Grow Starter mix... I really think it had a lot to do with the heavy frost we had.

It's due to the cold temps. Extra bad if it was wet and cold. My plants did that last year... put them in planters in zone 3 in late May, looked great, then a cold, wet June made them look so sickly I almost trashed them. Ended up doing great once the warm weather arrived at the start of July. Be patient... at least that's my plan, since my plants seem to be doing the same this year, LOL.

That seems logical, especially since I almost lost them all due to a few nights of heavy frost...

Thanks...

The squiggly center veins and shriveled top growth is due to toxicity; herbicide, pesticide, etc. It can drift in the wind up to a 1/2 mile (herbicide drift) affecting plants in ground and in pots. The larger, more mature leaves are better able to withstand toxins. But i don't believe it causes a yellowing of the entire plant.

Frost and cold damage starts with yellowing, then wilting, then comes the necrosis etc.

My guess is that you're dealing with both, since the plants do not look very green.

Your plants will grow out of it, i would only snip off branches that are 100% dead, otherwise i'd leave it alone. Good luck either way.

Steve

This post was edited by sjetski on Sun, Jun 8, 14 at 13:16

This plant is still in the M.G. Potting mix at a very reputable nursery and it also has the squiggly center vein. So, since I'm positive that no herbicide contaminated this plant, it has to be caused by the cold. We had two nights of heavy frost, they were saved by covering them up or by spraying them with water.

The new growth affected also all came in after the frosts.
My plants in my garden are now thriving. I'll post another picture.

Entire Garden.... Yesterday.

They look great in that full garden picture. I wouldnt worry any more about them. Sometimes we stress over things that really don't matter. They seem to be either past the problem or dealing with it just fine.
Bruce