04/03/2024
What causes flower abortion?
During the flowering stage, plants tend to drop their flowers and many factors lead to flower abortion
1. Weather conditions.
During extreme weather conditions, the temperature is too low or they are too high which can lead to flower abortion.
2. Disease.
In a case where the plant has been attacked by a disease eg phytophthora bighorn, or Fusarium wilt, the disease restricts nutrients and water movement hence flower drop.
3. Pest attack
Once the flowers start showing up, they attract pests e.g. Thrips. Thrips are responsible for over 80% of flower drop.
4. Nutritional deficiency
During flowering, Boron, zinc and potassium are crucial since they are needed in budding flowers and fruit formation.
5. Water Stress.
At the flowering stage, water is key. Under watering leads to stress hence flower loss.
6. Poor or no pollination.
This is the biggest factor that leads to flower drop. For a fruit to form pollination has to take place, and failure to that flower drops. This can be as a result of extreme weather conditions. Too high or too low temperatures and the absence of pollinators like bees.
7. Poor flower handling.
When working in flowering plants eg Capsicum tomatoes or watermelon, avoid rough handling of flowers since it leads to flowers stress and dropping or instant dropping.
