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Chili plants loosing flowers
Sean Tocher
Posts: 5
in Talkback
So this is the second time i have tried growing chillies and each time they have gone into flowe but never produced many chillies, the flowers last a couple of days and the petals turn brown and then the whole flower head falls off. Can anyone tell me why this is? Thanks in advance
0
Posts
are there pollinating insects? or are they getting a bit of a chilly draught?
First time chilli grower I have apache chilli plants and have been hand pollinating with small paint brush. Currently have a decent crop of green chillies, plus loads more flowers although in the past couple of days some have been falling off. Is this normal? They are indoors and I am feeding twice a week with chilli focus. Also have Thai, ring of fire and twilight although these are not yet flowering
Chilli plants are self fertile like tomatoes aren't they? Just give them a tap to stimulate the flowers. I read that a temperature fluctuation of more than 10 degs can turn chilli plants on or off so if the temperature drops the flowering part can stop and the flowers will fall off this stimulates the plant to grow.
Nick your partners electric tooth brush gentle touch the branch or flower till it vibrates sneak brush back after use all done.
'This is a common problem if you are growing your plant indoors as a pot plant or in an enclosed environment such as a closed green house where there is little wind or movement of the flowers as they form.
Chillies are self pollinating ??? therefore they do not need insects or the wind to pollinate the flowers in order for fruit to form. However occasionally when the flowers are formed the stamen (male part of the flower) does not touch the pistil (female part of the flower) therefore they are sterile and drop off. If this happens with your plant either give it a regular gentle shake or move it outdoors on a warm breezy day to help nature and insects pollinate the flowers for you.'
I've previously grown apache, it produces loads of chillies, I've still dried one's left from last yr.
I found some of the flowers dropped off when the plant was ladened with fruit. Maybe you've missed some with the paint brush, Labrat, or maybe, the plant is saying pick me, I picked a few green one's last yr for cooking and eating. They are quite mild, when green though, but the plant produces that much there's heaps left for drying
Thanks Zoomer44, the ones that are falling off are unopened buds. Maybe there is a limit to the number of fruit per plant. Have not tried any yet waiting for them to go red