This is my first time growing anything (zone 8a) and I got a single red habanero (orange bucket) and Carolina reaper (painted black bucket) seedling from the garden center this year with no prior research. They’re a nice green color but most of the leaves are curled up and so far every flower has dropped even early fruits. They’re in 5 gallon buckets with a bunch of holes in the bottom, about 2-3 inches of rocks and Vigoro all purpose potting soil on top of that. I got them around March 18th and they stayed indoors until April 14th with a grow light but in what I found out was too cool of temps (67-68f). When I put them outside I didn’t harden off at all. I think I had some sunburn on a few leaves but they’ve dropped along with most of the larger lower leaves. Also had a bit of an aphid problem but I think I just got that under control. I was most likely overwatering when I put them outside but I’m pulling back on that and only watering now when the first couple inches of soil are dry. Have fertilized with Scott’s super bloom and fox farms grow big but I’m going to start something lower in nitrogen with the next watering. I guess should I be concerned about every flower dropping so far or should I just keep doing what I’m doing?
by sneakysnek2327
6 Comments
My early flowers always drop. I don’t know how normal it is, but I’m used to it at this point
By chance did you use something/chemical to address the Aphids that may have scared the pollinators away ?
Big Orange pale problem I see
The flowers that don’t get pollinated will drop off
That tomato cage is definitely keeping the flowers from self pollinating. Peppers will self pollinate just by the flowers blowing in the wind. Bees will also help.
I personally don’t think tomato cages are good for anything. Especially not for tomatoes.
Might be excessive nitrogen or lack of phosphorus. What fertilizer are you using?