Chilli help

[dfearnley]

Can someone help? I have 4 capsicum apache plants and they were doing well with a few chili peppers growing and lots of flowers. Then the last few days the leaves at the top of the plant have started to wither up and dry up. The soil is damp so they are not in need of water. I was worried I may have watered them too much in fact when I saw this. A quick search on google and I think I may have found the problem - just need some clarification. They currently reside on a south facing windowsill of my conservatory - which is pushing above 30 deg in the sun. Is it too hot for them? I have moved them to a windowsill that doesn't get as much sun or maybe I could move them outside?

Finally, when I do pick the chili how far up the stalk should I pick them? I also haven't a clue how big the chili's get on this plant!

[zazen999]

I've separated your question into a thread of its own, I thought it needed the additional attention.

[Paulottie]

Not sure I understand what your trying to ask...Leaves going brown/white and papery?...are you getting leaves wet when watering?...chillies don't mind the sun and should crop on a windowsill. You have no location in your profile so I have no idea if you can move them out.

Generally pick chillies when they are red...or before if you want but they won't store as well as ripe ones.

[gadgetman]

Have you fed them?

[dfearnley]

Not sure I understand what your trying to ask...Leaves going brown/white and papery?...are you getting leaves wet when watering?...chillies don't mind the sun and should crop on a windowsill. You have no location in your profile so I have no idea if you can move them out.

Generally pick chillies when they are red...or before if you want but they won't store as well as ripe ones.

Thanks for the picking advice. Have updated my profile and hopefully this picture will explain what I meant:



The leaves that are curling up are just out of focus - hope this doesn't make it worse.

I did water them and get the leaves wet - is that a big no no? I used a mini watering can - could that be the problem?

Have you fed them?

Yes, I used tomato fertiliser (liquid) form.

[RedThorn]

The spots on your leaves is from the water and then the sun burning the leaves. Chillis don't like being too wet.

How often are you feeding them?

Have you recently repotted them?

[dfearnley]

The spots on your leaves is from the water and then the sun burning the leaves. Chillis don't like being too wet.

How often are you feeding them?

Have you recently repotted them?

I feed them around once a week, but I can't pretend to never forget. They were repotted at least 4 weeks ago and they have been fine. From what has been said I got the leaves wet when I watered!

[smallblueplanet]

Are the leaves actually dropping off? They look very healthy plants tbh.

[dfearnley]

Are the leaves actually dropping off? They look very healthy plants tbh.

The small upper leaves are dropping. I tried to get on here early to give time to put right!

[HotStuff]

Here's a pic of a Ristra from one of my Apaches last year, the fruit are probably 3-4cm long. Hope this helps.

[gadgetman]

Another vote for looking healthy.

When I feed mine, I feed them with extra strong tomato feed. And water every 2 days in very hot dry weather, and keep the pots off the ground or anywhere water will collect to avoid root rot.

[Paulottie]

They look pretty good to me but definately a bit of scorching and water staining on leaves ... Don't use a watering can and get the leaves wet. Stand the pot in a bowl of water for twenty mins -when almost dry- and let it take up what it needs.

What containers are they and do they have good drainage? They look quite big for the size of the plant. There is the risk of compost souring.

I use terracotta pots and never bigger than the plant. They like good drainage.

[dfearnley]

Not sure I understand what your trying to ask...Leaves going brown/white and papery?...are you getting leaves wet when watering?...chillies don't mind the sun and should crop on a windowsill. You have no location in your profile so I have no idea if you can move them out.

Generally pick chillies when they are red...or before if you want but they won't store as well as ripe ones.

They look pretty good to me but definately a bit of scorching and water staining on leaves ... Don't use a watering can and get the leaves wet. Stand the pot in a bowl of water for twenty mins -when almost dry- and let it take up what it needs.

What containers are they and do they have good drainage? They look quite big for the size of the plant. There is the risk of compost souring.

I use terracotta pots and never bigger than the plant. They like good drainage.

Thanks, the pots are about 20cm and the soil is brand new fine compost. I did use a watering can so will not do this again!

[cupcake]

I wouldn't worry, they look healthy enough to me.

This is from the chile man website


While it is possible to read a huge amount of information on how best to achieve the delicate balance of nutrients for optimum growth, it is well to remember that plants are phenomenally hardy and adaptable. Yes you can spend a lot of time on caring for your plants (and that's half the fun) but you will find your chile plants can get most of what they need even from poor soil, sunlight, water and air. You can grow perfectly good capsicum plants without the use of extra fertilizer, however, you can grow much bigger, healthier and more productive plants if you use fertilizer to give them the nutrients that they need. A word of caution though, it is easy to over fertilize and burn the roots, especially with younger plants.

[Two_Sheds]

The leaves that are curling up are just out of focus

Use the macro button on your camera ... it might have a Tulip icon. Then your close-ups will be in focus