From NMSU.

Many individuals have contacted us recently regarding flower drop on their Bhut Jolokia plants. This is a very common occurrence with this particular species, we do not know why but the Bhut Jolokia does not seem to set fruit well. There are several other factors that will affect fruit drop. Some of these include:

* Air temperatures over 95°F will cause the pollen to abort and subsequent flower drop

* Too much Nitrogen will cause excessive foliage growth and flower drop

* Certain disease or pests will cause flower drop

* Even the smallest amount of plant stress will cause flower drop

What I learned is that just let them go and not pamper them. I left for a 10 day trip and no one watered them, and they look awesome when I got back. Granted the highs were in the mid to upper 80's, but with no rain. I have them in a 5 galloon bucket, with a hole drilled in the bottom so I know I can't over water. I give them water about twice a week, if even that much. And they get about 6-8 hours of sun a day. I don't fertilize them anymore, I used to give them MG when they first started off, but after they branched I haven't done anything.

I am not experiencing the massive flower drop as mentioned. My plants are outside and grown from seed - without a doubt BJ's are comparatively LATE to flower and fruit but the flower drop is definitely indicative of a problem in my opinion. From my experience with Bhut Jolokia the last 3 years I am convinced that they are the exception to overwatering a pepper plant, though I still caution all to underwater rather than overwater. I am in Toronto, Canada and the weather has been cool and overcast with lot's of rain, but this doesn't seem to bother the BJ's other than to delay flowering.

Here are some pics of one plant, I hope they are clear. You can see small peppers on it.

Ravi

{{gwi:1186532}}

{{gwi:1186533}}