So who's growing chillies 2020?

[foxy]

I have had to put shade cloth over my capsicums, as with chillies they struggle in the heat, will probably have to grow some more chillie next season as my supply is dwindling.

 

[Dave 666]

Next, well this month now I'm starting to construct my er, well sheltered cover in the yard which will hopefully double up (also used as sheltered seating area) as an open greenhouse of sorts. Basically a wooden frame with a polycarbonate sheet roof. 2 sides are brick wall, the other 2 sides will be open, hopefully this will benefit my chilli plants better this year than just having them in a fully open yard.

Also once completed, I'm looking at the option of detachable side panels.

 

[Oneflewover]

My first planting of seedlings are coming along well, but never had this before (2 plants from one seed):

I know they've come from the same seed because I'm really careful about how I sow them.

Next up need to decide what to grow by way of other species (annuum and baccatum) that don't need such a long growing season

 

[Dave 666]

I can't for the sake of me recall the name of the company I used to buy early plugs the last 2 years!. Not world of chilli as they were a few weeks later than my preferred option, but annoying how I've lost who I use to buy my chilli plants!.

 

[Oneflewover]

I can't for the sake of me recall the name of the company I used to buy early plugs the last 2 years!. Not world of chilli as they were a few weeks later than my preferred option, but annoying how I've lost who I use to buy my chilli plants!.

https://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/online-shop/chilli-plants-and-seedlings/

https://seaspringplants.co.uk/

I've used both of these companies for seeds and can recommend them both, seaspring is just a few miles away from me.

 

[Dave 666]

After some frustrating searching found the company I used last year, spices on the web. They already have some early plugs on sale, so might get some as soon as I've somewhere to put them. Clearly outdoors is no good for a couple of months yet, so might look for the cfl light and grow indoors in the spare room when I clear it in the next week or 2.

 

[Oneflewover]

Need to get potting these on....

Meanwhile I've sown the next batch -spaghetti (a really long, thin cayenne), Charleston Hot (another cayenne), Hungarian hot wax (a fleshy milder pepper) and Lemon Drop (Baccatum, lovely fruity citrus flavour). Several germinated.

 

[foxbat]

General question from a newbie. Is now a good time to plant seeds in southern england if all I have is a heated seed propagator. After they outgrow that then they'd have to either sit on a window sill for a while (potentially irritating the wife) or go outside where it's still quite cold.

 

[Dutto]

Planted this two days ago!

It will go out into the garden about mid-April.

I've never heard of "Demon Red" chillies before, but if they are as hot as expected I won't need many of them!

 

[Clint]

Chillies can be difficult and very slow to germinate. Heat is your friend.
You definitely need to keep them indoors until ALL risk of frost has passed...so this could be May! Then they may be slow as they like it on the warm side.

 

[foxbat]

Chillies can be difficult and very slow to germinate. Heat is your friend.
You definitely need to keep them indoors until ALL risk of frost has passed...so this could be May! Then they may be slow as they like it on the warm side.

Thanks for the tips. I've just ordered packs of Santa Fe Grande and Draky. I'm not a big fan of the hot ones and prefer something milder and sweeter that I can add to salads or put on the top of a pizza. Mmmm pizza...

 

[Hanglow]

I use an inkbird controller and heat mats to keep them at germination temp (about 30c), then once they start sprouting turn it down a bit. I also got a grow light this year to help them along as seedlings and young plants until we start getting enough light

 

[stephen1546]

A decent company for seeds, no hybrids and there is a piece about saving seeds on the site. Sorry cant seem to paste the link
realseeds.co.uk

 

[Oneflewover]

Plants are coming along nicely. Need to pot on second sowing soonish

 

[marshbrewer]

Planted some Thai dragon, Cayenne long and purple jalapeno yesterday. They are sat on my windowsill in a propagator.

 

[Keats]

All six of the Anaheim chillies I planted two weeks ago have germinated. I've also planted some satan's kiss and some from a random bag of mixed seeds bought off eBay.

Using a propagation mat and grow lights for the first time this year to get an early start.

 

[pilgrimhudd]

I got some from uk chilli seeds. Datil, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero and Naga, heated propagator on a window sill, 5 seeds each read that they can be difficult to germinate so planted all of them, they've all sprouted!

 

[Clint]

Go for it! If you get loads of chillies you can dry,freeze or pickle.

 

[foxy]

Heat mat makes all the difference, apart from tomatoes and potatoes the rest of solanaceae family really drag their feet germinating, capsicum, chili, eggplant really need the heat mat to take off quickly.
I have given up on the Nightshade, the wife refuses to eat it.

 

[pilgrimhudd]

When would everyone suggest potting the chillies out into an unheated greenhouse? I'm going to prick a few of the runty ones out and get them out of the house soon.