So who's growing chillies 2021?

[barleytown]

@barleytown
The problem is the greenfly congregate on new growth - so all of the growing tips and budding flowers get plastered. In practice this means the plants die back and the flowers don't get a chance to establish themselves. I would love to leave them alone and let nature take its course, but it just doesn't work.

I feel your pain.

 

[foxy]

I gave up on one bed of capsicum because of aphids,I would blast them off with water and they would climb back up the plants. We have a small jumping spider which eats the aphids, as I stood watching, the protective ants would approach the spider who would flick them away with his/her two front legs. Even with the lady bugs there was just too many for them to eat. They are a major problem.
Soapy water is the best if you have the time to squash them running your thumb and forefinger along both sides of the leaves. I too found pyrethrum spray just doesn't work.

 

[BlackRegent]

@foxy I'm relieved it's not just me. I was concerned I'd bred some kind of super strain!

 

[barleytown]

Just watch. No doubt I'll get an infestation this year. Serve me right for being too confident.

 

[TonyT]

I grew some in a pot last year. I don’t know what variety they are, my wife got the plant in a garden centre and we lost the little card that tells you what they are. They are very small (about 15mm) purple ones, but they’re like rocket fuel.

 

[trummy]

Got a tray of seeds in the hall near the rad. 5 varieties. Last years all went into a chilli pickle - should last a long time, changes your physiology if you sample too much at once. Not had major issues with greenfly yet.

 

[Hanglow]

Have you grown spaghetti before? I grew it last year, and apart from the novelty factor of 10 inch chilies I was a bit underwhelmed in the heat and flavour departments.

Victorian nursery looks like a gem of a supplier though

No, not tried them before. That's a shame but at least I have a bit of variety if they aren't the best

I only got 5 seeds per pack from that nursery which I thought was a bit mean, but they have all germinated at least

 

[Oneflewover]

I've got seedlings of all varieties except Michael's Magic, which is a shame as it's a great pepper. The seeds were scavenged from a plant a grew a couple of years ago having previously 'acquired' a ripe chilli from a chilli fest (oh how I miss them! ). Might not have dried the seeds correctly.

I'll be pricking out in a week or so then onto second sowing to include the peppers that don't need such a long season (annuum varieties)

 

[VW911]

Scaled down my chilli production this year (I say that every year, but still end up with 20+ varieties!)

Poblano and Jalapeno - for cold smoking
Trinidad Scorpion, Carolina Reaper and Scotch Bonnet - for hot sauces
Kashmiri, Serrano and Corno di Torro - for chilli Jam
Thai Bird - for chilli and ginger cider
Paper Lanterns - Everyday Use
Peter (*****) Peppers - for the girls at work!

 

[chillipickle]

That is a fair selection vw

 

[will4009]

Going to give this a try I think, have read up a bit about how to grow them over the weekend, but could use a bit of advice. Especially as I haven't grown anything before!

My plan was to use a heated propagator, B&Q have a cheap one for around £20. Then use a t5 strip light, to give them a bit of a boost, before putting them in the conservatory. Sound about right?

I am going to try and order everything today, can anyone recommend any seeds? Looking for a few varieties, especially if some are a bit more 'user friendly' for a beginner. Also, what potting compost should I use?

 

[Ajhutch]

I’ve got 2 jalapeno and one Apache plant overwintered, though I’m not yet convinced they’ve survived.

Seeds going are more jalapeno and Apache and some chocolate habaneros. The latter are germinating pretty slowly but there’s signs of life. We’ve increased veg space generally quite a lot in the garden this year with some cheap and cheerful covered shelving units from IKEA, so plenty of space for plenty of plants! I’m just about through all the dried chillies from last years crop but my fermented sauce is still good for putting some pep in your step

 

[Oneflewover]

I recommend Seaspring seeds Super Tramp chilli; buy your seed here - Sea Spring Seeds. Great selection and lovely people. I've hopefully linked to 'supertramp' a really easy to grow basic chilli. You shouldn't need lights for it, germinate in late march. I'd use a heated propagator, but probably not essential.

 

[will4009]

I recommend Seaspring seeds Super Tramp chilli; buy your seed here - Sea Spring Seeds. Great selection and lovely people. I've hopefully linked to 'supertramp' a really easy to grow basic chilli. You shouldn't need lights for it, germinate in late march. I'd use a heated propagator, but probably not essential.

Thanks for that, I did read some good reviews about that variety. It seem that Apache also is a common recommendation for first time growers.

I will have a look on there website, I thought I should probably get a couple of varieties, and see how it goes. Can I ask your opinion on potting soil? I have read that people favour all kinds of mixes, blending it with a number of things. Is this worth looking into, or just get any bag of seed compost?

 

[Oneflewover]

Thanks for that, I did read some good reviews about that variety. It seem that Apache also is a common recommendation for first time growers.

I will have a look on there website, I thought I should probably get a couple of varieties, and see how it goes. Can I ask your opinion on potting soil? I have read that people favour all kinds of mixes, blending it with a number of things. Is this worth looking into, or just get any bag of seed compost?

Yep Apache also good, but probably not worth growing as well as super tramp - very similar. I just use common seedling compost for germination. For plants in their final position you really need to use something that doesn't hold too much water. Chillies don't like to be too damp and they benefit from air around their roots. I tend to mix perlite in with potting compost to allow good drainage, but the best growing media I ever used was this stuff Canna Coco Professional Plus. Too rich for me these days!

 

[will4009]

Yep Apache also good, but probably not worth growing as well as super tramp - very similar. I just use common seedling compost for germination. For plants in their final position you really need to use something that doesn't hold too much water. Chillies don't like to be too damp and they benefit from air around their roots. I tend to mix perlite in with potting compost to allow good drainage, but the best growing media I ever used was this stuff Canna Coco Professional Plus. Too rich for me these days!

Ah fantastic. Yep, I shall just get some seedling compost and see how it goes!

I think once I get them going, I will then think about fertilisers, etc. What size pots will I need to transfer my seedlings after they have come up? I take it you have to re-pot a couple of times, as each plant grows?

 

[Oneflewover]

Ah fantastic. Yep, I shall just get some seedling compost and see how it goes!

I think once I get them going, I will then think about fertilisers, etc. What size pots will I need to transfer my seedlings after they have come up? I take it you have to re-pot a couple of times, as each plant grows?

Prick out into a 10cm dia pot then on into at least 7 litre pot for final position. If you look at Seaspring seeds website there's some good hints and tips on there

 

[foxy]

Cayenne are starting to colour up, I will be drying these while we have the autumn hot weather. The Birds Eye in the window boxes I will dry these also but put some in a permanent bed in a sheltered spot in the garden. How do you preserve Jalapeno? Freezing?

The window boxes of Birds Eye didn't receive any attention from the Aphids/Greenfly. The plants that suffered most are cucumber, cayenne, jalapeno and medusa. Once they get a good foothold they are hard to control. Even undercover of the insect exclusion netting, which they assured me was impenetrable by aphids they still got in.

 

[Oneflewover]

Cayenne are starting to colour up, I will be drying these while we have the autumn hot weather. The Birds Eye in the window boxes I will dry these also but put some in a permanent bed in a sheltered spot in the garden. How do you preserve Jalapeno? Freezing?
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The window boxes of Birds Eye didn't receive any attention from the Aphids/Greenfly. The plants that suffered most are cucumber, cayenne, jalapeno and medusa. Once they get a good foothold they are hard to control. Even undercover of the insect exclusion netting, which they assured me was impenetrable by aphids they still got in.

I like pickled jalapenos

 

[chrisbjones202]

I like pickled jalapenos

I candied some Jalapeno the other week (bought as I'm in UK) after seeing a recipe on line, they shrank a lot but are very moreish, good in a sandwich.