[mrspodington]

Hi we recently started growing our own fruit and veg and while the tomatoes are doing great we have a problem with the sweet banana peppers.
we have lots of buds on the plant and have even had a few flowers but all of a sudden the buds and stems fall off, they are clean breaks and dont seem to have been eaten.
We thought we may be overwatering so stopped watering but this morning 3 more had fallen off. :cry:
The plant itself looks healthy and well and there are lots more buds coming.
We are growing the plant in a plant pot not sure if this makes any difference.
It would be greatly apprieciated if anybody could help me out, thanks, Vikki.

[WG.]

Hi Vikki & welcome to the Friendly Forum.

My bet is that the right bugs aren't around to fertilise the flowers but there are plenty more-experienced pepper growers on this forum.

[agapanthus]

Hi Vikki....welcome    I think WG could be right. Try touching each flower with a feather....you may get germination this way.
Sorry....meant fertilization :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

[mrspodington]

Hello and thanks for your warm welcome,
 I did think that also but some of the buds are falling before the flower has had chance to open.
Vikki

[Trillium]

I'd carefully dig one up and see what's at the plant roots. Could be some roots went mushy from overwatering, although I grow sweet bananas and they do like moisture, just not swampy.

Are they in any shade? If so, it might be too much. Or there simply isn't enough ground fertility to keep the flowers on.

[mrspodington]

Okay heres were i'm at now with my peppers I took it out of its pot and hurray no mushy roots ( I think thats a good sign    ) so while it was out I have put it in a bigger container.

I have however noticed that on the stem of the plant where  the buds are falling off it leaves a black patch? these aren't spreading and are only where the bud and stem has fallen off.

I have one special pepper which at the minute has a flower and is clinging on for dear life so fingers crossed thisone might survive.

I also meant to ask how often I should be feeding the plant.
Thanks for all your help. Vikki.

[Sadgit]

I had this last year with my peppers... about half the buds fell but I still got a nice crop from the plants.

[sclarke624]

Same as sadgit, some buds fell off, but still I am getting a great crop this year.  Altough when I started paintbrushing from flower to flower to pollinate less dropped off.