Flowers dropping after hand pollination
Chilli Pepper United Kingdom
Hi I have a couple of Serrano chilli plants which have started flowering (yay!) I have been hand pollinating but today one has curled up and dropped off at the stem :( what could be causing this?
I am using my little finger to rub the inside of each flower gently, transferring pollen around from one flower to the next.
Also I am wondering how many times/ how often I should do this to each flower and how long does the flower hang around for till it starts growing a chilli (unless it drops off!)
Please help me save my plant! Thankyou
I am using my little finger to rub the inside of each flower gently, transferring pollen around from one flower to the next.
Also I am wondering how many times/ how often I should do this to each flower and how long does the flower hang around for till it starts growing a chilli (unless it drops off!)
Please help me save my plant! Thankyou
Posted
by: Ruth
(1 point)
Posted: March 13, 2015
Answers
It could be the case that the flowers that are dropping are male. Generally speaking, male blossoms are produced first and then females begin to appear. You may also be damaging the blossoms with your finger. Perhaps try using a small paintbrush to transfer the pollen between flowers? I am inclined to think that your plants are just fine and given time will produce fruit. In my experience, chilli fruit appear very quickly after flowering and elongate rapidly. I'm always amazed.
Posted
by: Lindsay McMenemy
(4 points)
Posted: March 16, 2015
Ruth commented,
Thanks so much for your advice Lindsay, I think you were right that they are just fine and I was being too impatient as there are 4 chillies popping out now :)
I had the same thought about causing damage with my finger as I wasn't sure what kind of pressure to apply. I used three methods in the end - finger, cotton bud, and paintbrush. Only problem is I don't know which one did the trick!
I didn't know about male & female flowers - how can I tell them apart? about 9 years ago.
Thanks so much for your advice Lindsay, I think you were right that they are just fine and I was being too impatient as there are 4 chillies popping out now :)
I had the same thought about causing damage with my finger as I wasn't sure what kind of pressure to apply. I used three methods in the end - finger, cotton bud, and paintbrush. Only problem is I don't know which one did the trick!
I didn't know about male & female flowers - how can I tell them apart? about 9 years ago.
Peppers tend to be self-compatible, especially those that are cultivated. They shouldn't require any hand pollination, unless you would like to cross them with something else. Not all pollinations "take," especially if they are some of the first flowers. Pepper plants generally produce more flowers than they can produce fruit for anyway. Your pepper should do just fine without hand pollination. The fruit should be visible within 5-10 days after pollination.
Posted
by: Randi Jimenez
(1 point)
Posted: June 17, 2015
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