[Curlytop]

Hi
Can anyone give me some advice as to why the flowers are falling off my chilli plants instead of fruiting?
Thank you

[Foghorn-Leghorn]

I would think it's because the flowers are not getting pollinated (I am happy to be corrected on this point by more knowledgeable folks though).  Mine did that at first but now the weather is warmer, I leave the greenhouse doors open through the day and the bees are finding there way in there and it does seem to have made a big difference to all my plants that require pollination.

[kermit]

I've been hand polinating mine with great success (loads of mature fruit already).  However, over the past 2 weeks or so, the new leaf growth stopped and they went crispy, and the new flower heads were just dropping before opening.  Im assuming they were getting toasted on the windowsill after all the hot sunny weather.  True enough, its been less sunny of late and, a good feed and watering later, i can see new healthy looking growth.

[Curlytop]

As mine are on the window sill and I haven't done anything to them that makes sense. I will put them out in the garden during the day and see if that helps.
Thank you

[skywalker]

ine are also on the windowsill. I just give mine a quick rub inside the flowers with a small paintbrush and they are all setting fruit nicely.

[rikknikk]

How do you hand pollinate them please?

[mumofstig]

How do you hand pollinate them please?

rub inside the flowers with a small paintbrush and they are all setting fruit nicely.

[WirralWally]

It is not unusual for chilli plants to drop a few flowers.
It is highly unlikely to be because they have not been pollinated; most are self-pollinating.

Main causes of flower-drop are:
Extreme hot temperature during the day.
Extreme cold temperature at night.
Too much water.
Too much liquid plant food.

You'll only know which of the above caused your problem if you slowly eliminate the possibility of each possible cause.

[kermit]

It is not unusual for chilli plants to drop a few flowers.
It is highly unlikely to be because they have not been pollinated; most are self-pollinating.

Main causes of flower-drop are:
Extreme hot temperature during the day.
Extreme cold temperature at night.
Too much water.
Too much liquid plant food.

You'll only know which of the above caused your problem if you slowly eliminate the possibility of each possible cause.

Cool, thanks for that - interesting

[caroline17]

Watch out if you stand the chillies outside as there's plenty of green fly about.You may have to be vigilant and squish the aphids that they promote.
Also to hand pollinate just use a little finger or brush to rub off powdery pollen on to central stamen.
I tend to water my plants first thing in the morning and if it's a really hot day reassess in the evening. If you hear them guzzling-a faint tapping sound-you know they are thirsty.Although folk say don't over water, a lot of plants will suffer in the recent heatwave. Check to see that the soil is not pulling away from the edge of the pot-that's a sign they need a good drenching.
In terms of feeding i find "chilli focus" a very good all round feed or indeed "Maxicrop seaweed" feed.
I'm growing a few varieties on windowledges:Hungarian hot wax(early fruiting by the look of things)
cayenne and stromboli.All hae blossom on them-a good sign that they need weekly feeding.

[Curlytop]

In terms of feeding i find "chilli focus" a very good all round feed or indeed "Maxicrop seaweed" feed.

I will get a make-up brush out and have ago at pollinating.
Is it ok to feed with Tomato-Rite and how often should I feed them?
Thank you

[WirralWally]

Any liquid tomato food will be fine.
Do not overfeed. Chillies require very little.
Use a weak solution. Feed no more than once a week.

[ladicius]

I had mine outside about 1 month ago try and keep them with space apart from each other and keep them away from tomato plants as this helps control the greenfly dont worry about the flowers dropping too much as this happens you will still get plenty fruit

[bigben]

Like you I am having the same problem - I have been trying to pollinate with a brush but with limited success. A lot of flowers are still falling - I think it might be as someone has suggested too much heat on the windowsill.