Chilli Plants

[davidpepepike]

I have 2 chilli plants in my kitchen window & they have loads of flowers but the flowers keep falling off & not turning into fruit, Any ideas on whats going on or what I can do? Thanks in advance

[binley100]

They're not getting pollinated. Try giving the plants a good morning tap or give the flowers a tickle with a paintbrush ......

[BUFFS]

binley100 is spot on ,a soft small kiddies paintbrush gently brushed into each flower and do the first one again last,and being on a windowsill,dont let them dry out completely or that will check the growth of the fruit,so good luck and enjoy..

[leonmc0708]

As per the above, I use a thickish brush about the size of the flowers opening and go round a couple of times a week and violate the lot of them.

also - on the windowsil I always use capillary matting and a trough to prevent such growth halting dryness.

hope it helps.

[The Large One]

flower drop can also be due to lack of good sunlight, with the weather we are having lately its not that surprising

[BUFFS]

leonmc0708 is spot on and feed just like tomatoes(mine share the g/house) ,i feed mine each sunday,so i dont forget,and as we have had very few days of sun ,they can cope with dark days but they must get some warmth,so a g/house or some cover needed,i have 19 plants of mixed peppers/chillis fruiting well,a bit later,due to weather but now a usable size,a good late summer/autumn would see a great bumper crop,even the melons are starting to swell,eight weeks later than last year..

[Alison]

Pollination isn't likely to be the problem in itself as they are self pollinating and don't need interference (although I sometimes do just to feel like I'm doing something ), it's more likely that they're the wrong temperature / wetness. I find that laying off the watering for a week or so makes them spring into action but not sure of the details.

[esbo]

Can't you stick en outside for a few days and lets the bees have a go at them?
I notice a few buzzing around my tomato plants recently, first time I have been happy to see
a bee in the garden, also he/she was too engrossed in the plants to even give me a second glance,
which was a relief!!

[Two_Sheds]

they have loads of flowers but the flowers keep falling off & not turning into fruit

The temperature needs to be just right (70-85F): too low or too high and the pods won't form.

Chillies are self-pollinating, but are also subject to (cross) pollination by insects.

Don't feed too much nitrogen, this may reduce fruiting. more info to wade through here: http://www.homesteadcollective.org/m...html#earlyfert