To ensure a reliable crop, chilli peppers seeds need a warm, sunny position outside or they’ll be grown in an exceeding greenhouse, grow frame or covered structure. extremely popular chilli plants varieties are definitely better undercover, as this helps develop the extraordinary heat, taste and flavor.
Although they’re going to be grown in well-prepared, moisture-retentive soil, they generally crop better and more reliably if grown in containers.
Varieties of capsicum pepper plant to grow
The following are all good reliable kinds of chilli: Apache, Cayenne, Demon Red, Etna, Fuego, Habanero, Hungarian Hot Wax, Jalapeño, Joe’s Long Cayenne, Prairie Fire, Super Chili, Thai Hot Dragon. one among the foremost popular chillies you will be ready to grow reception is Dorset Naga, which is extremely hot.
Tips for growing chillies
Leave fruits to point out a classy red colour for a hotter taste.
The hotter the range the longer the complete growing process will take (from sprout through to ripening) so bear this in mind when selecting your preferred type.
Sowing chilli peppers
You can sow seeds from February to April. it has always better to sow as early as possible, even January if you’re growing extremely popular chillies, as they need an extended summer to crop well.
Sow seeds at 18-21°C (65-70°F) in pots of fine seed sowing compost. Transfer the sapling separately into 9-10cm (3-4in) pots when two true leaves have formed, and grow them on at around 16-18°C (60-65°F).
Gradually harden off the plants for 10-14 days before planting outside.
Tips to induce the best from your chilli seeds
Soak chilli seeds overnight in warm water before planting OR gently sandwich between damp kitchen roll, place in an exceedingly very bag and leave within the closet for a pair of days to reinforce germination.
Chilli seeds love the weather so, grow in an exceedingly very greenhouse or perhaps during a pot on the kitchen window sill for a tiny low amount of additional heat to your chilli plants.
Sow chilli seeds as early as possible (January or February for the recent varieties).Ideally, sow chilli seeds at a temperature of between 18-21°C (65-70°F).
Sow seeds in small pots and intensely shallow (about 5mm deep). Transfer to a much bigger pot when two leaves have developed, attempt to not touch the forming roots when re-potting to prevent accidental damage.
Water regularly but don’t allow the soil to become waterlogged. Cover the seed tray with Vermiculite, it helps with water and heat retention, both of which the chilli seeds love.
If planting seedlings outside gradually harden the seedlings off for 10-14 days (leave outside during the day and produce in overnight).
Feed with a chilli feed or seaweed extract.
How to be sure of your growing chilli peppers
Plants can put into their enduring cropping position once the roots fill the 9-10cm pots. Pot them up into 20-23cm (8-9in) pots of wonderful compost in late April (if growing during a heated greenhouse), mid-May (unheated greenhouse) or late May/early June if growing outside. they’ll even be grown in growing-bags, but will need very careful watering.
Extinguish the growing tip when plants reach about 15-20cm (6-8in) high to boosts bushy widen and good cropping. you’ll also pinch back the side shoots if many smaller chillies are needed.
Water regularly and feed with a balanced general feed, switching to a high potash feed when the first chillies have set. Mist the foliage regularly, especially undercover, with tepid water to discourage red spider mite and to boost cropping.
How to get the only out of your chilli plants
Chilli plants like growing in containers where the temperature is definitely regulated. If growing outside select an in one’s element, well-drained position. If growing inside a sunny window sill or conservatory is good, just remember – don’t let the soil dry out.
Extinguish the growing tip when the chilli plant gets to about 20cm high – this boosts bushy widening and good crops. Feed with Tomorite every other week as soon as flowers start to seem.
Pollination must occur to urge fruits. Rub the bristles of a little paintbrush, or your pinkie, gently over the flower heads to verify that pollination occurs. If growing outside the chances for natural pollination are higher so this can be often not necessary.
Give a minimum of two inches of water per week once the fruits have appeared, spray rather than water at the underside to forestall overwatering. Chilli plants grown indoors are treated as perennial houseplants and may need an honest prune within the Winter months.
Harvesting chillies
Pick the fruit pro re nata when it’s reached a good size. you will be able to either pick them when they’re green (when the flavour is quite mild) or leave them on the plants until they have turned red, which develops a stronger, hotter flavour.
Tips for your chilli harvest
Harvest your chillies by snipping the very best of the stalk with sharp secateurs. Recurrent harvesting of the fruits allows the chilli plant to devote its energies to developing more fruit.
Chillies are dried or frozen for later use. Dried chillies make a noteworthy alternative for festive decorations.
Common chilli pests
Chilli plants could also be at risk of the next plant pests: Aphids, Whitefly and red spider mite mite mite.
