Why Chilli Flowers Drop in Hot Weather, Simple Tips (Video)

Transcript

Why do chilli plants lose flowers at 35°C?

Why do chilli plants lose flowers at 35°C?

Chilli Plant Secrets

Why do chilli plants lose flowers at 35°C? Let’s explore what’s really happening and how you can keep your pot thriving.

Quick Facts

A quick glance: start with a fully red chilli for the best seeds, keep the soil warm for a week or three, and give each plant a roomy pot that catches at least six hours of sunshine.

From Seed to Sprout

First, pick a warm window or a sunny corner and sow the seeds in February or March. If you like, soak them in lukewarm water for a few hours to speed things up. Fill a tray with a light, damp mix of garden soil and compost, scatter the seeds a couple of centimeters apart, press lightly and mist gently.

Pot, Soil, Sun, Water

Pot size matters a lot. A small fifteen-centimeter pot will keep the plant tiny, but a twenty-five to thirty-centimeter pot holding ten to fifteen litres lets it grow for months. Use a blend of two parts garden soil, one part compost and one part coarse sand, rich, loose, and well-draining. Give it at least six hours of sunlight, with some afternoon shade in the peak of summer.

Why Flowers Fall

Chilli flowers are fussy. When daytime temperatures climb above thirty-five degrees, especially with hot nights, the pollen gets damaged and the blossoms drop. Cold nights below fifteen degrees slow everything down and cause the same result. A completely dry pot during flowering does the same. Keep the plant watered and give it some afternoon shade during the hottest weeks, and you’ll see fruit set again as temperatures ease.

Leaf Curl Issues

Leaf curl is a common complaint. Turn a leaf over and you might see tiny thrips, they make the leaf curl upward and leave silvery streaks. A strong jet of water under the leaves every few days, sticky traps and removing the worst leaves usually keep them in check. Mites cause a downward, leathery curl; spraying the undersides regularly helps. Whiteflies leave sticky leaves and can spread a leaf-curl virus, there’s no cure, so it’s best to remove the plant if you see that.

Harvest & Keep Plant

When the green chillies reach full size, feel firm and glossy, cut them with scissors, leaving a short stalk. Pulling can snap a brittle branch. The more you pick, the more the plant will flower again. Leave a few to turn red if you prefer the sweeter, hotter fruit. As long as frost doesn’t reach the pot, the same plant can keep producing year after year.

Handle With Care

When you’re cutting chilies or scooping out seeds, slip on thin gloves and wash your hands with soap right after. Never rub your eyes, touch contact lenses or a baby’s face before washing. If you get a burn, rinse the area with plenty of water and seek medical help if pain persists. Keep pots and harvested chilies out of reach of small children and pets.

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Read the full guide

For the full guide, with every detail and answers to common questions, visit thecareonline.com. You'll find more short videos like this one on our YouTube channel. This is general information, not medical advice, so check with your doctor about your own situation.