Growing Chillies what type of soil????

[andytk]

I've got myself some Jalapeno chillies growing in a propagator and I'm about to transfer them to some larger pots so they can go outside (in Scotland) under some plastic dome thingys.

Looking about on the tinternet some websites seem to suggest using quite alkaline soil for jalapeno's and other sites say use acidic soil for chillies?

Anyone here grow chillies? What type of soil do you use.

My topsoil is crappy clay based muck in which only weeds will grow.
I've got loads of peat type compost, and I've got ericaceous soil (for my blueberry plants)

Any ideas which is best?

Cheers

Andy

[Yoda.]

I grow Chillies in pots (Essex clay sounds similar to yours, the good thing being it's water retention).
I just use potting compost with OK results. Maybe just mix some into the existing clay and see how it goes. Ericaceous compost on the other hand may not be ideal, though I'm not sure about this?

Quite often with these kind of things, unless you are growing 'show quality' plants there's a limit to how precious you need to be about 'em

[Simpo Two]

andytk said:

I've got myself some Jalapeno chillies... Looking about on the tinternet some websites seem to suggest using quite alkaline soil for jalapeno's and other sites say use acidic soil for chillies?

It's jalapeno *pepper* isn't it?

[tom_loughlin]

I have grown three types - Jalapeno, Cayenne and Dorset Naga - I grew mine in peaty compost - depends how strong you want the chillis. I have heard that the worse the soil, the stronger the chilli - obviously up to a point. My chillis weren't too hot - the nagas were the exception, next year I will be experimenting with different soil types, so will be more use then!

Good luck,

T

[pies]

I planted mine in normal compost. Don't forget that they can be over wintered, this is just a case of cutting the stem a few inches up and preventing the frost getting to them.With any luck they will return to life next year and you will get a much better and earlier crop

[andytk]

Simpo Two said:

andytk said:

I've got myself some Jalapeno chillies... Looking about on the tinternet some websites seem to suggest using quite alkaline soil for jalapeno's and other sites say use acidic soil for chillies?

It's jalapeno *pepper* isn't it?

Says Chilli on the packet, but I got them from B&M (think Aldi...) so you're probably right.

I've just stuck them in some normal compost in pots and put them under the plastic domes.

I don't care if they look like crap, just don't want them to die. Hopefully they'll survive our crap weather.

Cheers for the advice.

Andy

[pb!]

I've used normal compost to grow chili's for the last 15 years or so, not had a problem. Some chili's have cropped until December for me. If you find a chili you like in the supermarket just keep some of the seeds and dry them, plant indoors Jan/Feb (at least that's what I do).

[Chrisgr31]

We grow ours in standard multipurpose compost, and grow them on the kitchen windowsill! Means we have chillis through to January or so. They didn't do so well outside but if others are having success outside might try moving them out again!

[Sheets Tabuer]

I have 8 pots of cayenne which are just flowering after planting them in the last week of feb.

Treat chillies the same as you would a tomato plant, mine grow in multi purpose compost and I check the water daily.

Cold is your enemy with chilli plants I have found so I bring them inside every night unless it is over 7c. They also need a good 8 hours of light but proper rest after that so no use having them under a street lamp at night etc as I found it stresses them.

I usually plant a few variities the main being jalapeno but it's just me eating them these days so I grow more for fun.

[john_p]

I too have some pots of chilli plants and they are also beginning to flower, planted end Jan I think. Standard multipurpose compost, watered daily, kept indoors on a windowsill that gets the sun in the mornings.

I also decided to plant two peppers at the same time.. those are at least 18" high and still growing not sure what to do with those.

[Tim74]

Hello Andy, I grow chilli plants for a living and we use John Innes No.3 for all of our plants once they have germinated and have been potted on. I use peat based multi-purpose compost to germinate the seeds, but from that point on I switch to a soil based compost (JI No.3). It contains more nutrients than multi-purpose compost (although we do still feed our plants weekly) and it doesn't dry out as quickly. More importantly, if it does dry out, it is very easy to re-wet, which multi-purpose compost isn't.

The advantage of multi-purpose compost is that it's much cheaper than JI compost. For me at least, I find JI easier to work with, although that might be because I deal with a lot of plants. Good luck, whatever you decide to use.

[Hereward]

Never understood people eating chillies for pleasure...isn't it just excruciating burning pain?! Where's the fun?

[Sheets Tabuer]

They are addictive, you can eat them whole, stuffed, roasted etc or make them in to sauces.

Personally I like them pickled or with chocolate but this year I am growing cayenne to dry out and grind down.

[andytk]

Cheers for all the responses guys

My plants keep dying, so I've potted new sproutlings in the pots from my propagator.

And I've moved the pots back indoors to keep them warm. I'll start with the tomato plant food soon as well.

Andy

[ToadHall]

John Innes No:3 potting on multi compost is good. I would recommend it as it has all the goodness the plants will need. Can you post a pic of your plants for us ?

[LividSV]

Hello gents, i have quite a few chillies growing, different varieties! Infact i have gone a bit mad, atm i have about 20 plants, in three different batches! pics to follow, i am just using seedling compost at the moment