[Pony Girl]

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?

[JayG]

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.)

[mumofstig]

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

[galen]

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 

[Lardman]

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

[Pony Girl]

Thanks, peeps. I will give them a tickle! 

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