Symptoms of overfeeding

[onefivenine]

I've been feeding my basket toms and and indoor chillis with tomato food almost every day - just a little though.

They look fine but I just wonder what the symptoms of overfeeding might be - so I can keep an eye out for it.

Can anyone advise?

[Tuber]

It’s a definite 2 sides topic, there is a school of thought that a regular high feed rate (in excess of manufactures guidelines but still following mix levels etc) will simply produce larger plants with more flowers/fruits

The downside is the risk of making an artificial growth rate that the plant structure cannot bear (in terms of weight/yield/timing etc)

[onefivenine]

Thanks for the reply Tuber.

I think the plants seem healthy and strong enough. One has 4 chillis - the longest of which is about 1"; also 4 or 5 pollinated flowers; and 6 newly opened flowers.

One chilli did just fall off the other day, separating from the plant where the stem joins the stalk. This was a couple of days after pollination and shedding the petals. Could that be a sign of anything bad in particular?

[gadgetman]

I dont feed that often and have no issues with my Chillies.

I would recommend however getting a 5mm layer of coffee grounds from your local coffee shop. Gives them a constant slow release feed at every water and deters pests. Then top this off weekly with a double strength tomato fee (ie 2x measures to recommended water qty).

[onefivenine]

The coffee grounds sound like a good idea - thanks gadgetman.

I've got fly paper which is catching a lot of tiny little black flies... but if coffee can help get rid of them then even better

Mine are only watered from their saucer below, twice a day I give them water (once with feed - but not always every day). I only give them as much as they can soak up completely in a few mins.

[Two_Sheds]

coffee grounds ...Gives them a constant slow release feed at every water

what nutrients are in coffee grounds?

It looks to be mostly nitrogen, which gives you leaf growth, not fruit

[gadgetman]

But Chillies are Nitrogen hungry are they not?

[PLSteve]

On the converse of this, I am worried I am under feeding. I water them every morning and Tomrite with that every other day.

However, a lot of my flowers are wilting and dying then dropping off, the fruit is not setting at all.

Is this as they are not getting pollinated? Or is it my watering/feeding is wrong?

Cheers
Steve.

[teakdesk]

But Chillies are Nitrogen hungry are they not?

However, a lot of my flowers are wilting and dying then dropping off, the fruit is not setting at all.

This info from Sergeant Pepper - Caring For Your Chillies may be of interest to you...

Fertilising

Whilst young you should encourage your chilli plants to grow by feeding them regularly with a fertiliser that is high in nitrogen. This promotes leaf and stem growth. Brands such as Aquasol or Thrive are great at this stage. As the plant matures and prepares to flower, you should not use fertilisers that are high in nitrogen and instead feed them with something that is high in potassium. This encourages flower and bud development. Once the plant is in flower discontinue fertilisation as the fruit sets. It is very important that you don't fertilise with a high nitrogen fertiliser at this stage, as the flowers can drop off ruining your yield. When the fruit has set you can resume light fertilisation if you feel its needed.



Steve, tomorite is high in potassium but also contains nitrogen It could be that by feeding every two days you are massively over-feeding with nitrogen causing the flowers to drop off.

[bramble]

PL Steve, are your plants indoor or outdoor. Migfht they be in a draught. Maybe you are overwatering. Lots of things to consider.

[gadgetman]

Thanks Teakdesk.

My chillies even when inside I've only watered every other day, feed weekly with a double strength mix.

I cant seen the need to water or feed so often.

[queen of the cobs]

just to add my two pennorth! I think that's perhaps a bit too generous with the feeding. But it's hard, isn't it, when you want a bumper crop - why not cut back to the manufacturors instructions on half, keep on with your way on the other half, and do a comparison test?

[zazen999]

I just add Tom food to every watering can on a friday. Friday Feeding I calls it.

This is then used to feed all the fruit based plants. The rest get plain water.

All the rest of the week they all just get water, unless one is looking particularly run down in which case they get seaweed feed in the water.

[onefivenine]

On the converse of this, I am worried I am under feeding. I water them every morning and Tomrite with that every other day.

However, a lot of my flowers are wilting and dying then dropping off, the fruit is not setting at all.

Is this as they are not getting pollinated? Or is it my watering/feeding is wrong?

Cheers
Steve.

I'm suffering simlar symptoms to you Steve. Have lost 3 flowers - just dropped off, stem and all - in the past two days.

They aren't overwatered. The soil is barely moist enough to stick together on the surface and I only water them in the saucer - I don't ever leave them sitting in water though.

[PLSteve]

I'm suffering simlar symptoms to you Steve. Have lost 3 flowers - just dropped off, stem and all - in the past two days.

They aren't overwatered. The soil is barely moist enough to stick together on the surface and I only water them in the saucer - I don't ever leave them sitting in water though.

Exactly what I do - they all get a saucer of water a day. Usually filled to the bring, instantly taken in by the plant, and the soil never feels damp (plenty of perlite in the soil mix too). All inside on south facing windowsills, with vents/windows slightly ajar to let some air about them.

There are a few chillis coming - but must have lost 2 or 3 flowers on lots of the plants.

About to move them into 8" pots tomorrow (currently in 5") so will see how they get on once moved. Thanks for all the advice.

Steve.