I started my open pollinated pepper seeds (Yankee Bell) indoors this year and now my plants have bumps at the base of the stems. Does anyone know what these are, and are they a cause for concern?
I appreciate any help you can give!
Glenda
Help please - Bumps on my pepper plant stems.....
PS: Could these be new roots trying to form???
i am not sure with peppers, but i know with tomatoes, its a sign that the root system could be a bit stressed, be it from too much water, too much crowding etc. and that its trying to increase its root system to try to help itself to overcome whatever is going on underground. i would brush away some of the soil around the base of the plant to check to see if there is any root rot. or if there are any critters down in there (also i would get rid of that big green rotting leaf at the base of the plant in the second photo--excellent slug / snail refuge.
JMC, that's not a leaf, it's the Jiffy pod that the seed was grown it. I've transplanted them into large pots. The peppers have not been outside yet. I'm in Michigan, and we're still getting nights in the 40's. :-/
I have seen these on both 'maters and peppers and they do not seem to have been detrimental--yet, anyway. jmc's comments re excess moisture and/or crowding make sense in light of my experience and seed starting techniques. Based on some online reading, they do seem to be "roots-waiting-to-happen". I would hazard an opinion that they are likely not going to harm anything, but that they do reflect a plant stressor, like jmc said.
Suggestion: remove the mesh from seed pods. They often constrict young roots before it begins to break down.
LOL glenda--ok i see now! guess that is what happens when i do not wear my specs at the computer desk ;)
:-) LOL jmc, I have the same problem..... Heehee!
Not only would I remove the mesh from the pots but I would also repot them in a larger container nice and deep so the roots can develop. That will make a stronger plant.
Those are roots. Peppers don't grow roots all the way up the stem like tomatoes but as you can see they do grow roots part of the way up the stem. When you plant them out make sure the roots are buried.