So it's getting into late August here in Norman, OK, and I'm starting to get a little worried that I won't get any chiles out of my hard work. I've got four primary plants: two Jamaican Hot Chocolate plants and two Chocolate Bhut Jolokia plants. My plants are rather large, have lots of branches, but the infant buds I've been seeing have not grown beyond a few millimeters and their stem has a very small diameter (they seem stunted.) I started these by seed back in mid March and transferred them into pots around May with Miracle Grow Potting Soil mixed with perlite. I chose this combination because I had read about the Miracle Grow dumping it's nitrogen first (faster than advertised) and then releasing the potassium and phosphate over a period of time. I've been top watering ever since I transferred them to pots, and the plants are huge, the stems are thick, and they have plenty of leaves which makes me think it might be too much nitrogen.
I've come across these possible reasons and there are a few that have been happening around here. I don't know if this applies to buds too.
Flower drop probable causes:
1. Day temp too high >95F
We've had sweltering temperatures around 100+ F for the past two weeks. We're looking to be in the mid 90s for the rest of the week.
2. Night temp too low <65F
Doesn't seem to be a problem with lows in the 70s to 80s.
3. Too much nitrogen fertilizer
This could be an issue considering the soil I have any additional fertilizer I gave it.
4. Too much water
Because of the hot temperatures, I've had to water almost daily because the soil will dry out very quickly.
5. Low light levels (reduces fertility).
My porch gets about 4 hours of direct sunlight. Not ideal, but it's all I can get without cutting down the tree blocking my porch.
6. Very low humidity (reduces fertility)
I don't think this has been a problem considering the fact that the nighttime temperature has been and is expected to be in the 70s and 80s.
7. Poor air circulation (air circulation contributes to pollination).
My porch gets pretty good airflow since it's in the apartment complex canyon.
8. Lack of pollinating insects.
Without any flowers, I don't think this is an issue yet.
9. Size of pot
Look at the pictures and you be the judge. This is my first time, so I'm not sure how much this matters.
10. Too much mineral in feedwater.
I leave the feed-water out for a day to get rid of the chlorine, but our water is known to be pretty dirty.
Any ideas as to what's going on with my plants or things I could change/try to get buds to grow? Do I just need to be more patient? They all seem to be doing just great except for this part.
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http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream
I've come across these possible reasons and there are a few that have been happening around here. I don't know if this applies to buds too.
Flower drop probable causes:
1. Day temp too high >95F
We've had sweltering temperatures around 100+ F for the past two weeks. We're looking to be in the mid 90s for the rest of the week.
2. Night temp too low <65F
Doesn't seem to be a problem with lows in the 70s to 80s.
3. Too much nitrogen fertilizer
This could be an issue considering the soil I have any additional fertilizer I gave it.
4. Too much water
Because of the hot temperatures, I've had to water almost daily because the soil will dry out very quickly.
5. Low light levels (reduces fertility).
My porch gets about 4 hours of direct sunlight. Not ideal, but it's all I can get without cutting down the tree blocking my porch.
6. Very low humidity (reduces fertility)
I don't think this has been a problem considering the fact that the nighttime temperature has been and is expected to be in the 70s and 80s.
7. Poor air circulation (air circulation contributes to pollination).
My porch gets pretty good airflow since it's in the apartment complex canyon.
8. Lack of pollinating insects.
Without any flowers, I don't think this is an issue yet.
9. Size of pot
Look at the pictures and you be the judge. This is my first time, so I'm not sure how much this matters.
10. Too much mineral in feedwater.
I leave the feed-water out for a day to get rid of the chlorine, but our water is known to be pretty dirty.
Any ideas as to what's going on with my plants or things I could change/try to get buds to grow? Do I just need to be more patient? They all seem to be doing just great except for this part.
http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream