Anyone growing Chillies this year?
Discussion
I've planted the following seeds this year:
Twighlight, Tabasco, Masquerade, Orange Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, Naga Morich and Bhut Jolokia.
For the first time this year, I've used a heated propagator, which has made a difference especially to get the Naga's and Bhut's to germinate. The one's I've had the most difficulty with are the Orange Habanero, as from 5 seeds I've one plant left. Most germinated, then died. I've got a few more on the go now, but they are growing slowly and don't look as healthy as the others.
The Naga's, Bhut's, Bonnets and the new Habanero's are still in the heated propagator as the house can get cool especially at night. I now have them in my utility room under artificial light for 16 hours a day (only cheap strip lights from B&Q, so not proper lights and may be wrong colour?).
I tried leaving the propagator lid of the other day, but after a couple of hours a few of the leaves started to curl, so it went back on quickly. However, when they grow the lid is going to have to come off, so does anyone have any tips or tricks. I'm trying to harden them off slowly by leaving the lid slightly off and hoping that will help, and will leave them in the propagator base as long as I can.
I have started giving them a bit of chilli focus each week and they are mostly looking healthy at the moment. There are a few leggy plants, but they grew like this before I had the artificial lighting as they weren't getting enough light.
Anyway, here is how they look at the moment. Any tips or tricks for getting good healthy plants appreciated.
IMAG0173 by garreth64, on Flickr
Twighlight, Tabasco, Masquerade, Orange Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, Naga Morich and Bhut Jolokia.
For the first time this year, I've used a heated propagator, which has made a difference especially to get the Naga's and Bhut's to germinate. The one's I've had the most difficulty with are the Orange Habanero, as from 5 seeds I've one plant left. Most germinated, then died. I've got a few more on the go now, but they are growing slowly and don't look as healthy as the others.
The Naga's, Bhut's, Bonnets and the new Habanero's are still in the heated propagator as the house can get cool especially at night. I now have them in my utility room under artificial light for 16 hours a day (only cheap strip lights from B&Q, so not proper lights and may be wrong colour?).
I tried leaving the propagator lid of the other day, but after a couple of hours a few of the leaves started to curl, so it went back on quickly. However, when they grow the lid is going to have to come off, so does anyone have any tips or tricks. I'm trying to harden them off slowly by leaving the lid slightly off and hoping that will help, and will leave them in the propagator base as long as I can.
I have started giving them a bit of chilli focus each week and they are mostly looking healthy at the moment. There are a few leggy plants, but they grew like this before I had the artificial lighting as they weren't getting enough light.
Anyway, here is how they look at the moment. Any tips or tricks for getting good healthy plants appreciated.
IMAG0173 by garreth64, on Flickr
smack said:
I grew Serrano Chili's 2 years ago, which I germinated on a window sill, and was quite successful. I still have some seads left so I think I will try to grow them this year. OP, where did you get your seeds from?
The Scotch Bonnets and Masquerades were from fruit from last years plants, the others I got from http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/Tim74 said:
Fluorescent strip lights are a cheap alternative to more conventional growlights, but they do need to be mounted just a couple of inches away from the plants to have any kind of effect. Any further away than that and they are useless. Fluorescents will take the plants only so far too, although there should be enough natural sunlight and day length soon to be able to do away with them.
Your greatest enemy with leaving that propagator lid on is damping off which is caused by lack of air movement. Still air, high humidity and high temperatures are perfect conditions for botrytis. Try to keep that lid off and lightly mist the plants if the leaves start to curl.
I wouldn't worry too much with the Chilli Focus right now; there will be enough in the way of nutrients in the soil to keep them going until you see the first flowers. At that point you can start with a feeding regime. Over feeding can cause problems; it can lock out other important elements such as magnesium and calcium.
I germinate my seeds in Jiffy 7 peat pellets and the seedlings have just been moved into 7x7x7cm pots using a soil based mix. They'll go from those pots into two litre pots and then on into five litre pots when they get moved into the polytunnels during the first week of May. Towards the end of June they will all go into ten litre pots where they will stay until the frosts finish them off. Good luck!
Thanks for that. They were about 6" below the lights, but based upon what you've said, I've just raised them up so they are now only 2" away.Your greatest enemy with leaving that propagator lid on is damping off which is caused by lack of air movement. Still air, high humidity and high temperatures are perfect conditions for botrytis. Try to keep that lid off and lightly mist the plants if the leaves start to curl.
I wouldn't worry too much with the Chilli Focus right now; there will be enough in the way of nutrients in the soil to keep them going until you see the first flowers. At that point you can start with a feeding regime. Over feeding can cause problems; it can lock out other important elements such as magnesium and calcium.
I germinate my seeds in Jiffy 7 peat pellets and the seedlings have just been moved into 7x7x7cm pots using a soil based mix. They'll go from those pots into two litre pots and then on into five litre pots when they get moved into the polytunnels during the first week of May. Towards the end of June they will all go into ten litre pots where they will stay until the frosts finish them off. Good luck!
I leave the lid at an angle, so air can get in, but I'll get it off over the next few days and keep my eye on them. I was just worried that the Bhut Jolokia's and Naga's etc need more heat and humidity, and it can go down to about 15 degrees in my utility at night.
Interesting about the feed, as the instructions I read said to feed them weekly.
What plants are you growing?
A bit of an update to my original thread. Chilli's are doing well, these are the Twighlight, Masquarade and Tabascos:
DSC_0255 by garreth64, on Flickr
The Masquerade is more of an ornamental chilli, they have already started flowering (nice purple flowers) and my first chilli of the 2012 crop has set. The Twighlight's have just started to flower, but nothing on the Tabasco's as yet.
DSC_0262 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0267 - Version 2 by garreth64, on Flickr
Now on to the mega hot chinenses. These are my Naga Morich and Bhut Jolokia's. They are growing well, and have shot up even in the few days since these pictures were taken. They all have small buds forming, so hopefully should be flowering soon.
DSC_0248 by garreth64, on Flickr
I haven't included the Scotch bonnets which are doing OK, and the Orange Habanero's which are a bit of a disaster. One good plant, 3 runty ones are all I got as several seeds just didn't germinate properly.
My scotch bonnet that I over wintered last year is now quite big and still producing and keeping me in stock at the moment though:
And a couple of arty one's to finish:
DSC_0274 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0263 - Version 2 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0277 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0255 by garreth64, on Flickr
The Masquerade is more of an ornamental chilli, they have already started flowering (nice purple flowers) and my first chilli of the 2012 crop has set. The Twighlight's have just started to flower, but nothing on the Tabasco's as yet.
DSC_0262 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0267 - Version 2 by garreth64, on Flickr
Now on to the mega hot chinenses. These are my Naga Morich and Bhut Jolokia's. They are growing well, and have shot up even in the few days since these pictures were taken. They all have small buds forming, so hopefully should be flowering soon.
DSC_0248 by garreth64, on Flickr
I haven't included the Scotch bonnets which are doing OK, and the Orange Habanero's which are a bit of a disaster. One good plant, 3 runty ones are all I got as several seeds just didn't germinate properly.
My scotch bonnet that I over wintered last year is now quite big and still producing and keeping me in stock at the moment though:
And a couple of arty one's to finish:
DSC_0274 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0263 - Version 2 by garreth64, on Flickr
DSC_0277 by garreth64, on Flickr
brissleboy said:
Is it too late to start this now, I fear it is...? Completely slipped my mind, was planning on having my first bash at growing chillies this year, bugger.
It's too late now to start this year from seed, but you can still pick up small chilli plants at garden centres at the moment for £1-£2 and get a good crop off those, then try seeds next year. I planted my seeds at the beginning of Feb this year to give them a good head start. There are lots of varieties that are easy to grow, just need some pots and soil (peat free), the only reason I used a heated propagator and light this year is I wanted to have a go with the Naga's and Bhut Jolokia's which are more difficult to germinate and grow in the UK.
kiteless said:
Same here.
We've never tried growing anything from seed before, but this year we've got ten chilli plants on the go - all from seed, all looking healthy, and just germinated in a simple covered propagator on a windowsill.
However, a question for the chilli plant experts: once we've established the plants, are they indoors all year around?
That's a very good question. I've currently got 24 plants indoors (I've already given some away) and they are just about using up all my window sill space. They just about need repotting now, which means bigger pots taking up more room.We've never tried growing anything from seed before, but this year we've got ten chilli plants on the go - all from seed, all looking healthy, and just germinated in a simple covered propagator on a windowsill.
However, a question for the chilli plant experts: once we've established the plants, are they indoors all year around?
A couple of years ago, I tried some plants outside, and in my mini plastic greenhouse, but they didn't do very well and also became diseased even with spraying.
So, my plan is to keep as many indoors as I can (esp the Naga's etc), give a few more away, and any I have no room for can go outside and will have to see how they get on.
The only problem with keeping them indoors is that not much pollination occurs naturally from insects, so they may need to be manually cross pollenated.
Ranger 6 said:
I have an established plant which I use for general consumption - I don't know what variety it is but they're OK to eat fresh and make lovely flakes when dried and crushed.
New this year is a couple of Habanero plants - again I don't know the specific variety but will see how they turn out.
The question I have for you guys is what do you do with them all? I don't eat half of what I grow and give a lot away.
Apart from drying, I freeze them and use them in cooking. It seems to work well and I'm still using last years crop.New this year is a couple of Habanero plants - again I don't know the specific variety but will see how they turn out.
The question I have for you guys is what do you do with them all? I don't eat half of what I grow and give a lot away.
Other than that I made a nice chilli chutney last year, and this year I'm planning on trying making a chilli jam if I have enough crop....
Ranger 6 said:
Hadn't thought of freezing them - thanks!
With chutney and jam what's good to tone down the strength of the chillis? (thinking of the kids - their tolerance is much lower than mine) or is it a case of not putting many in?
Difficult to say as I like it hot but like you say not putting as many in, using less hot variety, plenty of milder ingredients such as tomatoes and onions etc in chutneys etc, and probably lots of sugar in a jam/jelly With chutney and jam what's good to tone down the strength of the chillis? (thinking of the kids - their tolerance is much lower than mine) or is it a case of not putting many in?
brissleboy said:
Just ordered some chilli plants online so I'll see how I go - thanks for the tip!
Aren't Nagas and Bhut Jolokias just too hot for everyday use though, these are some of the hottest chillis in the world?? I can't imagine how hot a homemade chilli oil would become using these, thermonuclear one would imagine!
They are indeed! I'm just growing them as a challenge Aren't Nagas and Bhut Jolokias just too hot for everyday use though, these are some of the hottest chillis in the world?? I can't imagine how hot a homemade chilli oil would become using these, thermonuclear one would imagine!
I think in small quantities they should be ok, my local takeaway does a gorgeous chicken tikka naga, which whilst very hot has a fantastic flavour which I put down to the naga.
I'm going to make sure I wear full biohazard protection gear when I handle them though
I've got the same problem!
Most of my plants now have Aphids, plus black flies in the soil. They have never been outside due to our poor weather. I have sprayed them a bit indoors but can't do it properly in case the spray goes everywhere. Ideally I was hoping for some dry sunny days so they could go outside and I could give then a good spraying. A bit stuck for what to do for the best at the moment.
I've got some good bug spray called Provado ultimate bug killer (in a yellow spray gun) but it seems that unless you get every single one, they are back again within a few days!
As a side issue, my Naga and Bhut Jolokias are now massive and taking up loads of room in the house, but still no fruit as the flowers are all dropping off.
The chilli growing idea is becoming a bit of a pain at the moment.........
Most of my plants now have Aphids, plus black flies in the soil. They have never been outside due to our poor weather. I have sprayed them a bit indoors but can't do it properly in case the spray goes everywhere. Ideally I was hoping for some dry sunny days so they could go outside and I could give then a good spraying. A bit stuck for what to do for the best at the moment.
I've got some good bug spray called Provado ultimate bug killer (in a yellow spray gun) but it seems that unless you get every single one, they are back again within a few days!
As a side issue, my Naga and Bhut Jolokias are now massive and taking up loads of room in the house, but still no fruit as the flowers are all dropping off.
The chilli growing idea is becoming a bit of a pain at the moment.........
Nimbus said:
argh ! I'm infested !! 
So, I went away for a fortnight, and before I left the chillies were doing fine, growth slowish but definitely growing...
Got back last week and they seemed ok, tho I did notice there seemed to be some white 'stuff' on the soil, but didnt think anything of it..
Today, was moving the plants upstairs to a better window so they get more sun and....
They're alive !!!
There are some f***ing bugs marching up and down my plants and looking very hungry !
Anyone know what they are ? ( aphids ? they dont look like greenfly, tho they are green ! )
Is there anything I can do about them, or are they going to make my chillies into lunch ?
So, I went away for a fortnight, and before I left the chillies were doing fine, growth slowish but definitely growing...
Got back last week and they seemed ok, tho I did notice there seemed to be some white 'stuff' on the soil, but didnt think anything of it..
Today, was moving the plants upstairs to a better window so they get more sun and....
They're alive !!!
There are some f***ing bugs marching up and down my plants and looking very hungry !
Anyone know what they are ? ( aphids ? they dont look like greenfly, tho they are green ! )
Is there anything I can do about them, or are they going to make my chillies into lunch ?
This is how my plants are now looking compared to my previous posts.
From Left to right, Naga, Tabasco and Bhut Jolokia - all over 4ft tall. I've got 18 plants left in the house, fortunately not all that big.
I've got a good crop on the Twiglights and Masquerades.
Think I will grow more smaller varieties next year!
Untitled by garreth64, on Flickr
From Left to right, Naga, Tabasco and Bhut Jolokia - all over 4ft tall. I've got 18 plants left in the house, fortunately not all that big.
I've got a good crop on the Twiglights and Masquerades.
Think I will grow more smaller varieties next year!
Untitled by garreth64, on Flickr
Bob the Planner said:
Just harvested the Bhuts and got about 700g. These have been made into Sambal Trasi for use over the next year with lime juice, salt, sugar and dried shrimp. Needs to be dispensed by the molecule !
They look great! How do you make the Sambal Trasi?I've got about 5 Bhuts on my 2 indoor plants at the moment, but they are flowering more now so hopefully I will get a decent crop.
I grew so many this year I had some outside and some inside. Those inside have done far better for crop.
My Bhut Jolokia's have been the most successful this year, though the plants are huge and have taken over my living room.
I made some really good chilli Jam with these, Very hot and sweet and goes with almost anything :-)
My Bhut Jolokia's have been the most successful this year, though the plants are huge and have taken over my living room.
I made some really good chilli Jam with these, Very hot and sweet and goes with almost anything :-)
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff