Any one or combo if these.

1. Day temp too high >95F
2. Night temp too low 3. Too much nitrogen fertilizer
4. Too much water
5. Low light levels (reduces fertility).
6. Very low humidity (reduces fertility)
7. Poor air circulation (air circulation contributes to pollination).
8. Lack of pollinating insects.
9. Size of pot

10. Too much mineral in feedwater.

The above causes flowers and buds to drop. Its normal for bottom leaves to turn yellow and fall off. If lots are it could be too much water.

My leaves on my Habaneros started to wilt, and had a bit of a rusty colour. I watered it and all but the smallest leaves fell off in an instant? What could be going on?

All the leaves fell off my habenareo and ghoast pepper plants they are starter plants all im left with is a stem why?

Pics? Description of growing conditions? Number of cats?

ronnieg,
I had 3 of my plants do that that I set out last month, but I think that was do to recent cold spells. But they have since grown a bunch of new growth. But thats just my experience so far.

DMF
Why do you say how many cats. There are some strays that run around our area and I see them in my yard alot what do they do to peppers.

That answer was to ronnieg, who gives us NO information..

As for cats, mine eats them. [Nah, just kidding. She only ever ate the Immortal Beloved BJ - and that survived.] In the wrong location they might use a plant as a marking spot (i.e. they might piss on it). But that's unlikely.

This post was edited by DMForcier on Mon, Apr 7, 14 at 14:07

Mine likes onions.

Kevin

You say that the leaves are falling off, but then you go on to mention possible causes of flowers falling off. Is it the flowers or the leaves that are falling off?

I disagree with most of chililover's suggestions about possible causes. Given what you describe above, my first guess would be overwatering would cause the leaves to yellow and drop.

A good pepper growing saying is that peppers do not like to have wet feet! You need water to drain all the way through and flow out. Good drainage is important. Then do not water until you can stick your finger into the soil about an inch or two deep and feel that it is dry. When you do water, give them a good dousing, but it needs to drain all the way through. This way you avoid water pooling in the bottom of the whiskey barrel, which would be bad for the roots. I have not had to water container peppers more than every couple of days or so, even in 100 degree heat. But admittedly, the heat here comes with major humidity.

Putting the peppers close together shouldn't cause this, at least assuming that we are talking about reasonable closeness (peppers also like to hold hands--meaning being somewhat close). I can't comment on your soil nutrition, but poor draining soil could lead to the problems you describe.

Cold could be another possibility, but doesn't sound likely given what you said about the growing conditions there. 90+ degree whether could cause the plant to drop flowers and might contribute to the lack of fruiting, but probably would not cause yellow leaves. Too much nitrogen fertilizer would cause the plant to focus on growing more leaves instead of fruit, but I wouldn't expect it to cause yellow, falling leaves. Low light levels sound unlikely. Peppers tend to like humidity, but they are also grown very successfully in desert conditions (in fact my cousin is a chili farmer in New Mexico). Lack of pollinating insects would not cause leaves to drop. In fact, it probably wouldn't affect fruit bearing much because peppers are primarily pollinated by other means. From the sound of it, you have a pretty big container, so it's size doesn't sound like a probable cause. Too much minerals also sounds unlikely. Hard, mineral rich water usually is high in calcium, and calcium is very good for preventing blossom end rot. I water with hard water all the time. I also put a spoonful of egg shells in the hole wherever I plaint hot peppers.

Disclaimer: although habaneros are my specialty, I have never grown mustard habaneros, I don't know everything and I'm having a bad year this year. :(