Help! Chillies flowering...

[BethanLowri]

Help! Some of my chillies are flowering and I was wondering if they self pollinate or whether I'm going to have to go round every plant with a paintbrush and pollinate them myself (as it were ). I'd really appreciate if someone could help me. They're growing in a greenhouse by the way so I'm not sure if any insects can really get into pollinate them for me.

Thank you.

[sewer rat]

Don't panic !!
Your chillies will get pollinated ! You couldn't keep all insects out of your greenhouse unless it was hermetically sealed - and you can't do that as your greenhouse, or rather the plants that reside there, need some ventilation - so you will either have louvres open, the door open, or an automatic roof vent open. Honestly, they'll be fine

[BethanLowri]

Will they definitely get fruit then?! I'm worrying now! Not seen any bees in there. Can just normal insects pollinate the flowers? Oh dear. What a novice I am!

[sewer rat]

Like I said Bethan, don't panic.
The fruits will appear - they grow through the flowers - just keep watching - it will happen. And no, doesn't have to be bees that pollinate plants - lots of other insect types can do the job too.

[BethanLowri]

Ahhh brilliant. Do you happen to know how long the flowers last for, because some showed up less than a week ago and are now going away? Thank you fr your help. I love my plants (I know I'm a geek) and want to make sure they are doing okay!

[crichmond]

If you are really worried then just lightly rub a finger in the flower and go from flower to flower with it to pollinate it yourself.

[sewer rat]

I love my plants (I know I'm a geek)

Loving your plants does NOT make you a geek - not on this site anyway

[BethanLowri]

Haha okay cool, I shall not hide my love of plants here then.

Thank you very much for your advice, I shall maybe do the rubbing a finger in them thing, I just really want them to succeed.

Whilst I'm on the subject...does the same apply to strawberries, tomatoes and peas? Sorry to be a nuisance.

[crichmond]

Works with toms but dont know if it does with peas and strawbs.

[BethanLowri]

Thank you, that's brilliant. I shall stop fretting now and get to some pollinating. I may have to stop worrying also and just let nature take it's course with these things. Have 11 different kinds of chilli (many of each kind) growing so it's set to be a fiery year for me!

[Two_Sheds]

lightly rub a finger in the flower ... to pollinate it yourself.

HE SAID YOUR FINGER !!!

Seriously, don't worry so much. Plants want to flower and form fruit/seed, it's what they're here for, it's what they do.
As to insect pollination, flies do more pollinating than bees do. Try and keep those out of your greenhouse!

[unconcerned]

Chillis are self pollinating. You could completely seal the whole thing in plastic so no insects went anywhere near it and it would still set fruit. Having said that, using a paint brush or letting a million flying insects at them won't hurt either. Either way the fruit will set (as long as the environmental conditions are right).

[BethanLowri]

Thank you all so much for your help. I'll definitely stop worrying about them now. I'll just sit back and wait for them to do their own thing. You're all full of brilliant advice, really glad I've joined The Grapevine now!

[SarzWix]

You beat me to it Julian I find that the first few flowers can be a bit temperamental about setting fruit - a gentle tap of the flower can help to dislodge a little pollen and set them on their way (same with tomatoes). Also keeping them just moist, and not allowing the temp to get Too high or Too low also helps.

[BethanLowri]

Just been in the (scorching!) greenhouse and have found 3 chillies growing through the flowers!!! Delighted! Looks like I didn't have to do anything after all. Have tapped the plants though so that I give them the best chance possible! So excited to find chillies!