Lower leaves yellowing on chill plant

[planthead]

Hi all

My cayenne chillies are huge!! And getting a lot of fruit on them now but i have noticed a lot of the lower leaves are yellowing and falling off!

What's causing it? Is it ok? Do you need to feed them?

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, you should be feeding them. Any feed in the compost will be used up after about 6 weeks.

You want high-potash feed (for fruiting plants), not high nitrogen

[Rosee]

Would feeding now 'cure' it so to speak or would it just prevent any further yellowing? (I've noticed the same on an unknown variety of chilli I was given)

[Two_Sheds]

No, the yellow ones are done for. Take them off, compost them

[planthead]

I have some tomato feed will that be ok? How often should I feed?

[Two_Sheds]

The packet will tell you: follow the instructions

[Naga]

I tend to use Tom feed for chilli, however there can be a few issues.

A. You need a bigger pot (what size is it and how big are the chillies?)
B. They need feeding
C. Day time temp changes (hot to cooler)
D. Over-watering

I actually neglect my chillies somewhat and don't bother watering them until they start to dry. I find it can produce hotter chillies (unless it's just wishful thinking). Every 2 weeks I give a tomato feed as per instructions and use seaweed as a foliar spray.

[Lazy Gardener]

I read that recently, If you want hotter chillies then stress the plant, Let it dry out a bit more
and keep the temperature up.

Mine are in the garden, Will i need to cover them or will we get more sun?

[Naga]

You should check your night temps in your area. Personally I wouldn't cover them until it drops to 14c, if they are flowering and the temps drop to 10c then they stop producing flowers and focus on vegging.

[Lazy Gardener]

I have some sweet chillies (i think) Too big for jalapeno's anyway and not hot
at all.

I took one that was a bit bigger than a jalapeno and no heat.

Still green though. Anyway to help them ripen?

I have a smaller plant with lots of small upturned chilli's also. Small at the moment. Maybe demon red or maybe twilight? A variety that turns many colours, Red, Orange, Green, Yellow and sometimes purple. Or a mixture? I forget.

I am so disorganised . I must label items better.