What to Do About Chili Pepper Flower and Fruit Drop? Detailed Explanation of Causes and Control Methods
Chili peppers are a common vegetable on our dining tables and also a major seasoning for us, with extremely high national production every year. However, during the growing process, flower and fruit drop often occurs, seriously affecting chili pepper yields and, in severe cases, leading to total crop failure and causing huge economic losses for farmers. So what causes chili pepper flower and fruit drop? How should it be controlled? Let's take a look together with Qinnong Web.
1. Unsuitable temperature
During the flowering period of chili peppers, temperatures that are too high or too low at this time will cause poor growth and development of the chili pepper flowers, leading to flower drop.
Control methods: Strictly control the temperature during the flowering period of chili peppers, keeping the suitable temperature for chili pepper flowering at 25-30 degrees, and keeping it at 15-20 degrees at night. If it exceeds this temperature range, flower drop may occur. In addition, anti-drop agents can be sprayed to protect flowers and fruits, but attention must be paid to the concentration and usage amount of the chemicals.
2. Improper watering
During the flowering and fruiting period of chili peppers, too much or too little water can also cause flower and fruit drop.
Control methods: Before the first flower cluster of chili peppers begins to set fruit, generally no watering is needed unless there is a high-temperature drought period and the chili pepper leaves wilt. Then a moderate amount of water can be applied. During the flowering and fruiting period of chili peppers, it is only necessary to keep the soil moist, with a maximum water holding capacity of more than 75%, and also pay attention to the humidity of the cavity, keeping the cavity humidity at 60%, which should not be too high.
3. Nutritional imbalance
During the sprouting and differentiation stage of chili peppers. If fertilization is improper and causes nutritional imbalance, flower and fruit drop can also occur. For example, applying excessive nitrogen fertilizer at this time can easily lead to flower and fruit drop, and after chili peppers are planted, excessive fertilization can easily cause excessive vegetative growth, and the probability of flower and fruit drop will also increase.
Control methods: Apply an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer during plant growth, fertilize according to the growth condition of the plants, and do not apply fertilizer in a one-sided way. The types and amounts of fertilizer applied should be regulated to ensure balanced nutrition needed for chili pepper growth.
4. Pests and diseases
Pests and diseases are also a main cause of chili pepper flower and fruit drop. Many pests and diseases harm flowers and fruits, or harm the root system and leaves, causing the plants to wither and die because they cannot absorb nutrients and water, or causing the leaves to wither and fall off, so that they cannot synthesize the nutrients needed for growth through photosynthesis, leading to flower and fruit drop.
Control methods: When planting, great attention must be paid to the prevention and control of pests and diseases. Spraying chemicals during the flowering period can play a preventive role. If diseases are found, they must be dealt with promptly and treated with the right remedy.
The above are the causes of chili pepper flower and fruit drop and the control methods brought to you by Qinnong Web. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.