Chilli Problem

[GrayB]

Hi,
This is my first year growing Chilli's so I was expecting a number of problems along the way but until now things were going great.
I have several varieties growing at the moment but on one of the "Hungarian Hot Wax" plants, a couple of the flowers have dropped off but the flower stems have started to turn yellow and I'm assuming that this is not a good sign.
If anyone can tell me why this is hapening (what I'm doing wrong) I may be able to prevent the problem accuring with my other plant's.
Any Ideas?
Thanks.
Gray.

[smallblueplanet]

Peppers (and other fruiting plants) often drop flowers for a variety of reasons - not all of them indicative of a real problem. How much of the 'flowers stems' have turned yellow? Could be too much water..but difficult to say. Could you post a picture?

[GrayB]

Sorry, but inbetween my post and yours I went out to see how strong they were and just touching them was enough for them to fall off so a photo isn't possible, though if the problem persists I will take a photo to post.

The flower stem was yellow all the way down to the main plant stem.

I did wonder about the amount of watering, though I thought I may have been under watering as everything I've read has told me to keep moist but not wet and thats what I've tried to do but it's hard to judge ( at least for me ) but saying that, my other plants seem to be doing ok so far.

Thanks for the quick reply and if you have any other thoughts I'd apreciate it and I'll try and get a photo if the rest of the flowers go the same way.
Thanks.
Gray.

[crazii_c]

this happens to my little chilli plant that i have on my window sill. the flower drops off and i can see a tiny chilli there, however the little stem with the flower on turns yellow and drops off if you touch it. only a few have done this and i've put it down to a lack of water as it seems to happen when ive been a bit forgetful with the old water.

[smallblueplanet]

Its a common phenomena and if I looked at my chilli plants now I'd find a few where it had happened. If its just the flower stem going yellow and dropping then there's nothing to worry about - it'll happen if the flower isn't fertilized too. Underwatering chillies is better than overwatering.

[rustylady]

They are probably falling off cos they haven't been pollinated. Tap the plants once a day to release the pollen.

[GrayB]

Thanks all,

It's good to know that this problem hasn't singled me out, I feel a lot better knowing that this does happen occasionally

I also wondered about pollination today, though it didn't cross my mind that this may be the cause of the problem but just to be on the safe side I did try pollinating the flowers I have myself.

Thanks again for all your thoughts on this problem, very much appreciated, thanks

I read somewhere that "Puruvian White Habanero's" were one of the most difficult to grow but of all the Chillies I have at the moment it's these that seem to be giving me the least problems.
Thanks again.
Gray.

[GrayB]

I took all advice given on board and I finally have a Chilli
Thanks all.
Gray.

[AdeyT]

My first flower on my chilli plant did this but I didn't polinate it, the rest I have used a damp water colour brush on each of the flowers and they have all got fruit on now. I read that mid afternoon is best to polinate, worked for me.

[GrayB]

I had no idea that certain times of the day were best for pollination but it's something else I'll be trying. This isn't just my first year growing Chilli's, it's my first time growing anything and is really an experimental year for me, so any hints and tips are very much appreciated
Cheers.
Gray.

[Toleman]

So many factors affect pollination. Low night time temps lower fertility as well as high daytime temperatures. I am getting a lot of flower drop at the moment due to the heat in the greenhouse. Shame I can't move them out

Raise the humidity up if growing in greenhouses by filling a shallow dish with water. Finely misting plants during the hot days can help too.

Don't overfeed. half strength tom food once a fortnight is plenty.

Only water when they need it. Lift the pots to feel the weight. A dry pot weighs a lot less than a wet one.

Shake plants or place them outside around midday as pollen is most fertile at this point. Obviously don't put them outside if they are not hardened off.

Most of all - be patient. Chillis want to produce pods and they will when they are ready. Neglect often works best.

Chris

[GrayB]

Chris, some great information there, you've certainly got me thinking about the feed as I've been feeding once a week and watering every other day which may or may not be to much but I'll keep an eye on the weight of the pots. Appreciate the reply.
Cheers.
Gray.

[chilliking]

Flowers falling off is very common in chillies, particularly if growing indoors. check out this article on flower drop.

As for yellow leaves/stems this is most likely due to over watering. I tend to only water when the soil looks very dry.

[GrayB]

Thanks for the link, very interesting reading.
Thanks for your time.
Cheers.
Gray.