Home and Landscape

Poor or Incomplete Pollination in Eggplants and Peppers

Plants with poor pollination have fruit of normal color, but small or flattened in shape. Few or no seeds are found inside the fruit.

Solutions

Poor pollination occurs in low light or at low temperatures. In peppers, normal pollination and fruit set do not occur when night temperatures fall below 58°F or when daytime temperatures are above 85°F. Plant in full sunlight.

Fruit on left is misshapen because of poor pollination, presumably as a result of low or high temperature.   Credit: Dennis R. Pittenger
Distorted pepper fruit. Credit: Dennis R. Pittenger
Pepper fruit misshapen and lacking seeds because of poor pollination, presumably as a result of low or high temperature.   Credit: Dennis R. Pittenger
Few seeds found inside peppers. Credit: Dennis R. Pittenger
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