Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Pony Girl on May 15, 2012, 12:07

Title: Chilli flowers dropping off
Post by: Pony Girl on May 15, 2012, 12:07

I've got 3 cayenne chilli plants growing on sunny windowsill, which I sowed back in February. The plants are now covered in buds and some of the flowers are opening.

However one of the flowers dropped off and the whole stem (including what I presume was a very baby chilli in the making) has also shrivelled and dropped off.

Why could this be and how do I stop it happening to the other flowers?

Title: Re: Chilli flowers dropping off
Post by: JayG on May 15, 2012, 12:20

Tap the plants gently now and then (but at least once a day.) Although they are self-fertile they often need a bit of help in the absence of insects to distribute the pollen inside the flowers.

(The flowers will still drop off, but should leave the baby chilli behind on the stalk.)

Title: Re: Chilli flowers dropping off
Post by: mumofstig on May 15, 2012, 12:38

They do drop babies and stalk if they're cold though :(

Title: Re: Chilli flowers dropping off
Post by: galen on May 15, 2012, 12:49

Some varities (Scotch Bonnett to name one) are also more prone to losing their flowers than others.

As well as a gentle tap I "tickle" my chilli flowers with a soft paint brush to give them a helping hand  :)

Title: Re: Chilli flowers dropping off
Post by: Lardman on May 15, 2012, 13:15

Some drop is normal at the start of the season before things get going.  ;)

Title: Re: Chilli flowers dropping off
Post by: Pony Girl on May 15, 2012, 15:30

Thanks, peeps. I will give them a tickle!  :lol:

Would they show any other symptoms if they were too cold?