Growing Chillies

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OK I'm sure I got infested with mould gnats. The supposedly don't do much damage to the plants but I covered the soil with gravel so they cant get out or lay more eggs. Since then I have seen no flies and hopefully got rid of them. also a yellow cup with vinegar in it was a good tactic as it caught about 10 of the things.

anyway good news I have 2 flowers that have popped up yesterday and wondering what's the best way to pollinate them?
 
Gary,

Wait to about 12 - 3pm (because that is the best time for pollen) and dampen a cotton bud or little paint brush with water. Twiddle it gently around the inside of one flower to pick up pollen (you may see the pollen - its like dust) and then do the same to the other flower. If in a couple of days it hasn't worked do it again in reverse. The cotton bud/brush is acting like a bee.
 
I just shake the branch with the flowers on or sometimes i just tap the flower a few times or sometimes i just give a wiggle with my finger oh so gently in the flower.

Seems to work for me.

I wouldn't say im an expert but i have 5 jalapeno plants and all are producing, well 2 are a bit late because they needed repotting but are coming along now.
 
I had to pollinate mine Skeeter. I had loads of flowers which kept dying and falling off.
I found a website and followed the instructions to pollinate and it worked. Perhaps some chilis are self pollinating?
 
Excuse the stupid question but can chilli plants survive the winter indoors and provide chillis for a second year?
 
rodo said:
Excuse the stupid question but can chilli plants survive the winter indoors and provide chillis for a second year?
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Yes you can "over winter", often they're better in their second year if they make it.

Usually the process is to first let the sap draw back in the cooler darker weather, the leaves will naturally drop off. Then cut the branches off and trim back to the main stem but leaving enough to base the growth on for next year.
You're supposed to trim the root ball back too but that seems a little harsh!

I've not done over wintering but I have recently cut my Naga's back to start the growth afresh. It seems fine.
 
jot1962 said:
I had to pollinate mine Skeeter. I had loads of flowers which kept dying and falling off.
I found a website and followed the instructions to pollinate and it worked. Perhaps some chilis are self pollinating?
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I think it depends on the species or even the plant. I've never had any luck with just tapping flowers so I use a wooden peg.

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I just ram my finger in :D

As for overwintering, I've overwintered a birdseye chili from last year and plan to keep it going as long as it wants. My other chilis are all my first go this year, but I suspect they will be fine over the winter. Not so sure I want to cut them back, but they are so huge now it might be a good idea!

I have loads of those gnats flying all round the house, am going to buy some vingar now and see if I can find some gravel too!
 
Yeah means its pollinated and is now growing fruit. Happens to mine all the time. And for people who get flowers falling, its natural some flowers have very weak stems so break off easily when say touched or knocked a little. Its what happens outside in nature anyway.
 
SkeeterPSA said:
Yeah means its pollinated and is now growing fruit. Happens to mine all the time. And for people who get flowers falling, its natural some flowers have very weak stems so break off easily when say touched or knocked a little. Its what happens outside in nature anyway.
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Cheers, how long do flowers take to die if it has not ben pollinated?
 
I do not know mate, most either grow on or fall off, most grow with mine tho. I think im gona have 20ish per plant so 5 jal plants is erm 100 ish probably next month. There growing well too nice and long.
 
garylouden said:
I think i have a problem, woke up today and found this. Im sure this is not normal. Any idea why the whole thing has withered?
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This is just a normal flower wilt.

Flowers can be dropped due to many reasons:

* insufficient light exposure
* too cold, too hot and temperature range too great (cold draught or cold evening/morning will do it too)
* not enough water
* not enough feed, missing nutrients
* non-fertilisation, also under developed flower just got to the end of it's life
* disease
etc

It seems plants prioritise importance: fruit, leaves and lastly flowers so expect a few dropped flowers.
 
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