A flower on my Chilli Plant - now what do I do?

[Samurailord]

Hi all

For the first time ever, one of my chilli plants has actually got a fully formed yellow flower on it, plus quite a few flower buds.

Now I have never managed to get this far with any chilli plant before, so I am at a bit of a loss what to do next.

The plant is in my blow away, there are a couple of other chillis in there but neither is flowering, or even look like they have buds as yet.

I'm not sure what to do now - do I leave it in the blow away or do I take it out so it can be pollenated by insects, do I wait for another flower to form and pollenate both with a small paintbrush??

I want to make sure this flower (any any others that may develop) turns into fruit, so advice please!

Andy

[Pa Snips]

Flick the stem just behind the flower with your finger.

[Samurailord]

Thanks Pa, but what does that do?

I am one of those annoying people who likes to understand the science and logic behind everything - makes it easier for me to appreciate and understand the answers.

Andy

[Bren In Pots]

I use a thin soft paint brush to hand pollinate my chilli flowers, you sort of rub the pollen from one flower to the next bit like how the bees go from one flower to the next.

[rustylady]

Thanks Pa, but what does that do?

I am one of those annoying people who likes to understand the science and logic behind everything - makes it easier for me to appreciate and understand the answers.

Andy

Chillies, like tomatoes, can pollinate themselves. Tapping the plant (gently) should release a little cloud of pollen.

[donnakebab]

If you haven't started already you could feed them. From what I've read on the forum you start feeding chillies and tomatoes when they start to flower. Not sure how often though. I'm going to do a search for that.

I think every week or two is the norm.

[DGoulston]

I feed my chilli every 2 weeks, and yes you just give the plant a little tap, as that causes the pollen to fall onto the bit that needs it.. lol very scientific!
My chilli plants are all indoors, and they seem to self pollinate all the time without me even doing this! only my scotch bonnet is being stubborn!

Darren.

[Two_Sheds]

Lots of people think that insects are required, but I don't get many in my gh (the door is closed) and I even get chillies to fruit on my windowsills (no insects whatsoever) ~ I've never tapped, shaken or tickled my chillies: they are perfectly capable of doing it for themselves.

Pollinating Flowers (optional)
Chilli plants are self fertile and will generally pollinate themselves. However, if you want to give them a helping hand to ensure that lots of fruit are set indoors, use a cotton wool bud to gently sweep the inside of the flowers one after another, spreading the pollen as you go! Ready to Grow, Chilli Seeds, Tomato Seeds, Capsicum Seeds, Banana Seeds, Exotic Fruit Seeds

Chillies are self-pollinating, but most chillies cross-pollinate very freely, so if you want to keep seeds, you could consider insect netting over one or two plants http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.u...ination-tricks

[Two_Sheds]

I am one of those annoying people who likes to understand the science and logic behind everything - makes it easier for me to appreciate and understand the answers.

Same here.

This explains it nicely: Home - Chillies on the Web

[Rhona]

An alternative method is to grow your chillies in a rickety old blow away, with their backs against the baggy, weatherbeaten plastic. The ill-fitting poly will whack the plants just so, every time there's a slight breeze, thus successfully pollinating each flower. It's not for everyone.

[Samurailord]

An alternative method is to grow your chillies in a rickety old blow away, with their backs against the baggy, weatherbeaten plastic. The ill-fitting poly will whack the plants just so, every time there's a slight breeze, thus successfully pollinating each flower. It's not for everyone.

That is exactly what I have been doing, and it appears to be working as there is what appears to be the start of a tiny chilli deep within the petals.

If you haven't started already you could feed them.

I have been feeding every week with tomato food, and i am hoping that the rest of the buds will also provide me with some nice chillis for summer and autumn curries, etc.

I take it that it is ok to save and dry the seeds from home grown chillis to propogate next year?

Andy

[Drea]

All I do is leave them be and take off the petals once they start looking a bit worse for wear. I have tons of chillies on my plants, it's about the only things doing well!

[taff]

I take it that it is ok to save and dry the seeds from home grown chillis to propogate next year?
Andy

It's fine. I've grown several varieties in a greenhouse and kept the seeds, and successfully sown and grown the individual types the year after but it'd worth isolating a branch or two to make sure if you feel like it.

[Two_Sheds]

I take it that it is ok to save and dry the seeds from home grown chillis to propogate next year?

most chillies cross-pollinate very freely, so if you want to keep seeds, you could consider insect netting over one or two plants

hfdsakddddddddddddddddddddd

[Jeanied]

Or gluing the flower shut to keep it from cross pollinating.