A chilli plant in a small pot on the balcony gets water, air and sun and keeps growing taller, yet it will not flower or set fruit. Ei Samay's lifestyle page says that is a sign its care is not right; chillies grow easily and fruit well without much attention.

Pot: a chilli does not need a big pot; a medium plastic or clay pot will do. Cover the drainage hole with pieces of broken pot and a layer of sand so water does not collect at the roots.

Sun: keep the pot where it gets plenty of sunlight, but not in harsh sun all day; move it to shade later in the day, or the plant may wilt.

Feeding: chemical fertiliser is not essential for flowers and fruit; kitchen scraps such as vegetable peelings and water used to wash rice and lentils can be given. The article also suggests a spoonful each of urea, potassium and magnesium sulphate in the soil every 15 days; if chemical fertiliser is used, stick to the stated amount.

Water and pests: water daily after checking whether the soil is still moist, twice a day in very hot weather. A stick pushed in beside the stem keeps the plant upright. If ants or mites appear on the leaves, spray neem oil mixed in water, the article advises.

Photo: H. Zell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Source: Ei Samay