Undoubtedly, they enhance the visual appearance immensely. The pretty chilli blossoms also have important tasks to fulfill. Those who take their properties and functions into account will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.

Why does the king flower have to give way?

Chili gardeners refer to the first blossom of a plant as the king blossom. It arises from a Y branch and strives to develop the first pod there. If you want a small, compact plant with mini pods, don't touch the king flower.

If you aim to force height growth; If you want to lure out a dense bloom and voluminous pods, the king flower must not remain on the plant. Either cut or break out this first flower if the chili does not drop it itself.

Pollinate chilli flowers yourself for unadulterated seeds

In commercial chilli cultivation, the Federal Plant Variety Office keeps a strict eye on maintaining varietal purity. Hobby gardeners, on the other hand, are responsible for unadulterated seed if they want to use it for propagation and cultivation. Chili blossoms play a central role in this process.

Undesirable cross-pollination is reliably prevented by hand-pollination:

  • carefully open the closed flower with tweezers
  • using a hairbrush to transfer the pollen from one flower to the next
  • cover each pollinated flower with air-permeable gauze

It is important to note that you use an extra brush for each type. So that busy bees do not sabotage your efforts outdoors or in the greenhouse, wrap the chili plants completely in close-meshed nets.

Why do chili blossoms fall off?

A call for help regularly resounds through the community of chili gardeners when a plant sheds its flowers again. This is a completely natural process if fertilization has not taken place. Indoor culture simply lacks insects as pollinators.

If chilli blossoms fall off despite artificial insemination, care has been neglected. Ball dryness also causes flowers to drop, as does waterlogging. If temperatures are below 19 degrees Celsius during and after pollination, the flowers will also say goodbye.

tips and tricks

Chili blossoms are excellent for drying. Simply place on a plate and cover with parchment paper. Place another plate on top, pressing the flowers together. Dry in the microwave on the highest setting. The dried flowers make a sensible table decoration when you serve your chili dishes.

Category:

Vegetable garden