[MarkG]

Hi All,

I'm growing some Cayenne chilli peppers for the first time on my patio. Really pleased with them so far. Three have grown strongly, bushed out, large deep green leaves, and about 2.5 foot tall.

They have lots of flower buds and some are now opening.

I read that the chilli only forms if the flower is pollinated, so, not wanting to take any risks and leave such an important task to the insects, I am planning to do the job with a fine bristled paint brush.

Is my concern normal? OH thinks I'm mad, especially my fretting over which flowers to use (see question below).

Any tips are welcome? But my question is, can I pollinate between flowers on the same plant (will this result in fertilisation?), or should I pollinate between plants?

I should have listened harder in Biology I know.

Thanks,

Dr Frankenstein (aka Mark).

[gobs]

Is my concern normal? OH thinks I'm mad, especially my fretting over which flowers to use (see question below).

 (aka Mark).

No, it isn't, yes, he is right, - sorry -, any vibration , wind or bumping into or knocking about during watering, etc will do , they don't need much.

[daveinbracknell]

Hi MarkG,

I just just my finger, brush the flower than brush another flower with my finger,

Have loads of chillis using this method.

Dave

[chillifandave]

dont  cross from one plant to another,rub each flower and this will help with pollination.

[strangerachael]

I'm growing Ring of Fire - don't know if they all have different requirements, but i have never so much as touched the flowers, and last year I got loads of chillies.