Is it hot over there?
Looks more like they may be overheated. Perhaps a shade screen while if it is too hot.

That's possible, but this was taken in the evening when it wasn't overly hot.

What type of organic matter are we talking about? Is it possible there could have been some herbicide contamination from the organic stuff?

No chance of herbicide. It's not allowed in the garden. Almost no chance of overspray from neighbors either.

I haven't done loss on ignition for the soil yet, so I can't give you a number for O.M. I do know it was a purchased 50/50 compost soil mix.

Dropping of lower leaves indicates OVERwatering quite often.

Peppers really do need to be planted separately from other summer veggies due to their unique watering needs --- water deeply, let soil dry out to near bone dry, water deeply, and so on.

Kevin

This post was edited by woohooman on Tue, Jul 1, 14 at 16:12

If this is in the evening, do the plants perk up in the morning?

Plants will often extend quite a bit during the day, and in the evening that long new growth is pliant and tender, so it will droop. Once root-activity and water pressure returns in the morning, the new growth should become turgid again. I've seen frequently with fast growing plants. Perhaps that's what you're observing here.

If it's been two weeks since the last fertilization, you should definitely add more Fish emulsion.

Josh

I agree with Kevin regarding the leaf drop and location / watering of the pepper plants.

However, when I read your post my thinking was in line with Josh's. Do they wilt late in the day and bounce back in the morning? If so, what Josh said.

If they're looking bad at night and good in the AM, by coincidence I took a few shots yesterday and today of of a Piri Piri (African Bird's Eye) plant I'm growing this year. I've had temperatures in the high 80's F (30+ C) the past few days. If you add in the heavy humidity it felt like 101 F (39 C).

Here's a shot on June 30 at 19:40

Here's the same plant this AM at 09:40:

FWIW,

Bill

I've noticed my plants always look better at night when the cooler temps set in. My peppers have a good way of telling me they need water. The leaves are not as perky and soft to the touch plus the soil a few inches down is totally dry.
A nice deep watering (when you see water come out the bottom) will perk them right up.

Stoney

It is just due to hot sun , IMO.
Today our temps got to 93F. Yesterday and the days before was in mid 70s. Some of my peppers and tomatoes were willing too. I had water them pas Sunday. So it was not because of lack of moisture. After the sun wen down , they all perked up.