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Simple question: Can I keep my chilli plants in the greenhouse over winter (Im going to get a heater) or will it be too cold? dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

should be OK dexter just so long as they are kept on the dry side & frost free i wuld have thought. Never overwintered one myself so I'm guessing.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

I am going to try over wintering my chilli plant this year. It is in the ground at the moment so I will harvest the chillies and then dig the plant up and pot it.
I don't have a greenhouse so it will have to be kept in the house and put outside when the weather is suitable. I can see the fleece coming into its own.

I'm thinking of bringing mine into the conservatory or kitchen window sill for the winter. I'll be well chuffed if they're still here by next year!

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smiling is infectious....

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Do you cut it back hard? Treat is like a perennial? Very interested as my chillis did well this year.

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Best wishes
Andrewo
Harbinger of Rhubarb tales

No don't cut it back Andrewo.

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Many thanks everyone! If it gets really cold I can always wrap it in fleece. Let's wait and see! dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

I've got my plastic walk in greenhouse, but inside that I am going to erect one of my mini plastic greenhouses and try and overwinter my chillies in it so they don't get cold. I overwintered my strawberries ok in just the mini plastic greenhouse, so I think I'll be OK. I've got 5 plants and so hopefully some should survive.

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hi exkimo - we'll have to compare notes later! dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Don't cut your chilli's back. Its a matter of keeping it frost free, as much light as possible and of course don't let it get damp as lots of greenhouses are without heat in the winter.

I'll bring mine indoors I think. I'm really hopefull of it giving me a head start next year.

why is it that any plant I bring into my house to grow gets completely infested with greenflies but the plants in my greenhouse are and remain pest free. I can guarantee that if I brought me chilli plants in doors that within weeks they will be covered in greenflies.

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Maybe the warmth of your house hatches them out Eskymo!

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that's not likely as our house is freezing most of the time as it's not very well insulated and we'd rather put extra layers on than turn up the heating and waste it...I'm just unlucky!

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I forgot about a chilli plant in a pot the year before last. It was in a relatively cosy nook out of the wind, near the front of the house which faces south. It made it though the winter with no attention at all and I only found it when tidying up properly the following spring!

Did it fruit ok Foxhill?

I wonder if mine will be ok in an unheated greenhouse over winter: maybe inside a small plastic one?

Nicky

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Saoirse: Irish meaning Freedom (I think!)

Eskymo,

Just checked out your website: your work looks brilliant! When will the little eskymo site be up and running?

Nicky

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Saoirse: Irish meaning Freedom (I think!)

oops! only just spotted your question. Yes, it fruited fine. It's definitely worth giving overwintering a go - even if it is accidental!

Perhaps we could all compare notes in the Spring? dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

I am going to overwinter my chill's as well, I might be limited for space (with a lemon verbanna, three lemon grass, 5 strawberries, pineapple sage and a fushia all being ovewintered) so one or two might be fast track to the compost bin. If your going to overwinter even in a heated greenhouse I would wrap the pot in bubble wrap or fleece as well. When they loose the leaves and it gets to spring I might do some light pruning to thin it out a bit so help new growth.

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http://gardenfan.blogspot.com

Thanks for that GF - I'm already storing away large peices of bubble wrap that my OH brings home from work ready for the winter. dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

I want to overwinter my chilli plants as I have had a very poor yield so want to start off with a good base next time. My problem is that everyone keeps saying DON'T cut them back...but one of the reasons for my poor yield is the fact I let them get too long and leggy in the first place so they are having to work too hard ...so in my situation is it okay to give 'em a bit of a trim?????........please!!!!!!

hi i am a newie too,have been reading the vine but never been brave enough to talk yet!my chilis on kitchen window had lots of grothw and flowers but no fruits and would my strwberries be ok overwintered in my garage?