Blossom Drop???

velikipop · February 21, 2007

I have a couple of Red Savina plants that I started much too early in late October that have now blossomed and are dropping the blossoms. Both plants are growing under fluorescent lights and have been re-poted into 5 inch pots. Both also have some yellowing on the lower leaves a few which have also dropped. A companion Chocolate habanero has not shown any of these symptoms.

Would anyone know what might be causing this? I thought it might be overferilization and have flushed both plants thoroughly. Are the plants salvagable and will they produce fruit this year or should I start new plants?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Alex

darlochileman · February 23, 2007

Hi velikipop

Chile plants produce many flowers prior to fruiting and it is common for some of them (even up to 60/70%) to fall off. If virtually all your flowers fall off without setting fruit, it will be due to one of more of the following problems :

1. Day time temperatures are too high (consistently above 95 oF)
2. Night time temperatures are too low (consistently below 60 oF)
3. Too much nitrogen fertilizer has been applied (check NPK ratio
of fertiliser)
4. Overwatering
5. Natural light levels are too low (reduces fertility).
6. Humidity is too low (also reduces fertility)
7. Air circulation is poor (good air circulation contributes to pollination).
8. There is a lack of pollinating insects.

From your description of yellowing leaves, I would opt for problem 3.

Maintaining a temperature range of between 60-95 oF, applying a fertiliser low in nitrogen [N] but high in phosphorus [P] or potassium [K]), introducing insects or tapping plants to aid self pollination should help reduce the problem.

Mark
www.thechileman.org

velikipop · February 24, 2007

Mark,

Thanks for the reply. I did not know about the level of blossom drop. I suspect your analysis is correct in that they are suffering from a bit too much fertilizer. All of the other factors are not really applicable.

The seedlings were doing so well that I just couldn't resist applying liquid fertilizer thinking it would make them grow even better. I should have known better!!Pollination seems very good the leaves are full of a sticky subsatance and white powder.

Alex

February 21, 2007	#1
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	Blossom Drop??? I have a couple of Red Savina plants that I started much too early in late October that have now blossomed and are dropping the blossoms. Both plants are growing under fluorescent lights and have been re-poted into 5 inch pots. Both also have some yellowing on the lower leaves a few which have also dropped. A companion Chocolate habanero has not shown any of these symptoms. Would anyone know what might be causing this? I thought it might be overferilization and have flushed both plants thoroughly. Are the plants salvagable and will they produce fruit this year or should I start new plants? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan

February 23, 2007	#2
darlochileman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 37	Hi velikipop Chile plants produce many flowers prior to fruiting and it is common for some of them (even up to 60/70%) to fall off. If virtually all your flowers fall off without setting fruit, it will be due to one of more of the following problems : 1. Day time temperatures are too high (consistently above 95 oF) 2. Night time temperatures are too low (consistently below 60 oF) 3. Too much nitrogen fertilizer has been applied (check NPK ratio of fertiliser) 4. Overwatering 5. Natural light levels are too low (reduces fertility). 6. Humidity is too low (also reduces fertility) 7. Air circulation is poor (good air circulation contributes to pollination). 8. There is a lack of pollinating insects. From your description of yellowing leaves, I would opt for problem 3. Maintaining a temperature range of between 60-95 oF, applying a fertiliser low in nitrogen [N] but high in phosphorus [P] or potassium [K]), introducing insects or tapping plants to aid self pollination should help reduce the problem. Mark www.thechileman.org __________________ Mark

February 24, 2007	#3
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	Mark, Thanks for the reply. I did not know about the level of blossom drop. I suspect your analysis is correct in that they are suffering from a bit too much fertilizer. All of the other factors are not really applicable. The seedlings were doing so well that I just couldn't resist applying liquid fertilizer thinking it would make them grow even better. I should have known better!!Pollination seems very good the leaves are full of a sticky subsatance and white powder. Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan