I’m new to pepper gardening and my once thriving chilli plant seems to be starting to droop its leaves and it’s dropping flowers. One of the flowers was fertilised as I could see the pepper coming through, but it dropped it. Where I am in Sheffield, UK (zone 8b according to USDA) we’ve been experiencing a ‘heatwave’ (by UK standards) of 25+ degrees celcius for the last 10 days or so, preceded by a warm period of 20ish degrees and heading up to 30 degrees this weekend.
I try to water regularly, but only when the top inch or so of soil is dry as I read elsewhere on here that they tend to like it drier.
We had a short aphid problem a few weeks ago but I managed to get a hold of it and I haven’t seen any more since. It’s in a greenhouse that gets afternoon sun, and I vent the greenhouse when it’s warm. Whilst it’s been hotter than usual I’ve taken them out of the greenhouse into a shadier spot during the hottest hours. The bell pepper plant I have which has all the same conditions is happy as can be, which is why I’m stumped.
Please can anyone give any advice? I’ll be heartbroken to lose it!
by Zestyclose_Lettuce33
3 Comments
Unless its over like 34-35c they should be fine. Mine have been at that for a few days, but i am making sure that they get plenty of shade as well. It could very well be the sun though if they aren’t used to it.
Needs more water than the soil volume can provide. Pot up if you can. Mulch may help.
It may just be dramatic due to slight heat increase. Bottom water helps too as it can soak it up from a tray as it wishes, but it doesn’t look bad. No real wilting or discoloration so probably just heat drama.