Topic: Chilli growing time!

[Terramamba]

Some of you are no doubt aware, but for those of you who aren't, chilli plants are in fact quite long lived*, and even in the UK they can be overwintered (with a bit of care), and can go on to give years of sterling service. In fact, some varieties actually crop more heavily in the second years and beyond.

There's a wee article about it here that may be of interest:

http://www.chilefoundry.co.uk/2011/10/12/matt-simpson%E2%80%99s-guide-to-over-wintering-chillies-repost/

*Some varieties more so than others...

Good and interesting site, I was not aware that Chilli plants were perennial, unfortunately I did not manage to get any types that over winter easily, I am growing on a windowsill so space is at a premium.

Great advice on this thread, from everyone 

Planted mine today.

Naga Jolokia, seven seeds for four quid!!! Shocking 

Demon Red, Prairie Fire, and allegedly the first ever cut and come again Coriander!



The Moon is passing through the sign of Cancer (water sign) and waxing (getting bigger!) so in Biodynamic terms a good time to plant. Saying that though, all seeds, want to grow and probably do whatever sign or phase the Moon is in, I believe that I may get better results that is all. Again, saying that, good husbandry is vital.

All the best  ;D

[martinvic]

Yay, some of my seeds are now breaking through the surface (7 days). All from each of the bought seeds ;D, but none from my collected seeds so far.

I have now moved the seed trays, from the airing cupboard, to my bedroom windowsill, in the large light reflector box I made.

I've also, dug out an old electric blanket, folded it into four and it fits perfectly under the set up. So if we have a really cold spell I can give it some bottom heat, with a choice of 3 heat settings.

My first time growing them so a little excited.

Martin

[Salvador Dhali]

Naga Jolokia, seven seeds for four quid!!! Shocking 

I know we've already discussed this earlier in the thread, but when seeds get to this sort of price it really is worth trying harvesting your own seeds from the fruit itself.

It can be hit or miss with chillies you've bought from shops/markets, etc., but if you can get to one of the increasing numbers of chilli festivals around the country and buy/purloin from growers exhibiting, you'll increase your chance of success dramatically.  (I'm not far from West Dean near Chichester, which has a massive chilli festival every August, and I've not had a failure yet using seeds harvested from chillies thus acquired.)

You can also pick up some very unusual types of chilli, too. For example, someone (who shall remain unnamed) managed to return home from the Eden Project in Cornwall with a few 'samples' of their own unique varieties of habanero, which did very well last year (I'm reliably informed... ;-).

But whether your seeds are free or cost a fortune, it's all great fun...

[beachbum]

I didn't realise that chillies were perennial until I started growing my own. I always imagined you should pull them out at the end of the fruiting season, like tomatoes. They overwinter perfectly in most parts of Australia. Aubergines (eggplant) are also perennial, I've had heavy croppers going for three seasons. I'd bet they would overwinter ok in Southern / Western UK, especially in a greenhouse.

I had a flower bed under the bedroom winter (waste of space) and replaced with chillies, must have had hundreds this year, I stripped the plants of all the red fruit two weeks ago, dehydrated them, now they are bushing up again after a good feed and water, and there's a new flush of flowers coming on. 

[chriswg]

My first Trinidad Scorpion plant popped up this morning:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_Scorpion_Butch_T_pepper

Looking forward to seeing how they turn out.

[martinvic]

I'm really pleased with the seeds I bought from http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Premier-Seeds-Direct/_i.html?_nkw=chilli&submit=Search&_sid=79364908

I planted 20 of each, and so far I have 16 of both the Fresno and Santa Fee Grande, 11 Poinsietta, and 9 Thai Culinary come through. More seem to appear every day.

Oh and I have just one, so far, from a tray full (about 50) of my own collected seeds.
Maybe the taking of them from frozen chillies is possibly a problem.

So if you are looking for seeds I can obviously recommend them, way cheaper than anywhere else too.

Martin

[beachbum]

My Monday beer drinking mate (fellow home brewer and gardener) is here for a few jars. He tells me he bought a pack of dehydrated Kashmiri Chillies from the Indian Supermarket in Brisbane - the long medium-hot ones - and he sowed a few of the seeds. They came up like the clappers and he's looking forward to them.  I think someone here was looking for the Kashmiri?
They were fully imported of course, not local. Obviously not irradiated or nuked whatever.

[martinvic]

Hows everyones chilli growing going then?

Mine are just producing their first true leaves, and seem to be going well.



Any luck with yours Michael?

Martin

[Salvador Dhali]

My Monday beer drinking mate (fellow home brewer and gardener) is here for a few jars. He tells me he bought a pack of dehydrated Kashmiri Chillies from the Indian Supermarket in Brisbane - the long medium-hot ones - and he sowed a few of the seeds. They came up like the clappers and he's looking forward to them.  I think someone here was looking for the Kashmiri?
They were fully imported of course, not local. Obviously not irradiated or nuked whatever.

Splendid - that's just how I get my Kashmiri chillies. As has been pointed out it can be hit and miss when using seeds harvested from bought chillies, but I've yet to have any problems - and I always find the Kashmiri seeds are the first to sprout of all the varieties I plant.

Hows everyones chilli growing going then?

Mine are just producing their first true leaves, and seem to be going well.

Martin

A lofty three inches or so here!

[martinvic]

Wow. where are you growing yours SD, windowsill like me or a greenhouse?

Martin