drooping chilli plants

[Andy Hamilton]

Some of my chilli plants have started to droop a bit. I have put sticks next to them which seems to help, not sure why this is happening to some and not others. Any ideas?

[The Chili Monster]

Hi Andy,
I always get a few like that. Assuming there's no signs of disease, I simply stake them, and they do fine. Take care when tying them to the cane, though. Chili plant stems are weaker than they look and so don't tie too tight and allow a little slack for the stem to thicken; I always use wool since this doesn't cut into the stem and damage it.
I've finally got round to adding a growing guide for chili peppers to the wikki site: http://selfsufficientish.org/wikka.php?wakka=chili
If you're still worried there's a section on diseases and pests and I've added a link to an external site that contains images of diseased pepper plants.

[Andy Hamilton]

Ah I thought you would anwser this one

Actually I have not had to string them up a straw just placed next to them seems to work.

There does not seem to be any other sign of disease, but I will refer to your article when I need to. I have been looking for a use for the bladderwack I have saved in buckets. I think I have found it now. Apparently seaweed it hated by slugs too, bonus.

[The Chili Monster]

Straws? That's a useful tip, thanks! 8)
By the way, I forgot to mention that in my experience this "stooping" behaviour is usually just temporary and that it doesn't seem to affect crop yields.