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Advice for chilli and pepper plants

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  • #1

    Advice for chilli and pepper plants

    Hi All,

    I'm growing some pepper plants (2 bell boy, 2 Cheyenne and 1 Super Fresno). They're all getting quite big, between 18" and 2', and have plenty of flowers and peppers and are doing fairly well for my first attempt (well I think so anyway!)

    They are all in their own 16cm pots, next to each other in the conservatory.

    Now although the plants seem to be growing well and have plenty of peppers, one of them is getting eaten by something. There are lots are small holes on the leaves. Is there anything I could do to stop this?

    Also, when should I start to harvest the Chilli peppers? They are still green at the moment, but some are getting to about 4 or 5" long. Do they need to ripen on the plant? I want to use some of them to make my own Chilli powder.

    Thanks,

    Dom
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  • #2
    Small holes ~ probably a caterpillar, pick the leaves over. You'll probably find the critter rolled up in a leaf
    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Dr Pips View Post
      Do they need to ripen on the plant?
      You can bring them indoors to ripen (but I guess your conservatoire is already 'indoors'?
      I picked this one green and it's been inside the house for a fortnight
      Attached Files
      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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      • #4
        You might be able to pot them on onto morrisons pots. They will then keep growing til october and you might try to overwinter a healthy plant or two!

        Loving my allotment!

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        • #5
          Those little caterpillars - they parachute down if you disturb the leaf....and are the only thing I've used bug spray on [it's organic, don't worry] for years. They ravaged my peppers last year so the first sign this year I had to deal with it.

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          • #6
            The holes are very small, I'll see if you can take a pic so you can see what I mean

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            • #7
              I take the peppers off when they're a reasonable size and still green, then I "stitch" them together and hang them up to dry. Very pretty and practical too. Hope you find your critter.
              Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Dr Pips View Post
                The holes are very small, I'll see if you can take a pic so you can see what I mean

                So are the caterpillars. They are hard to see as they camouflage against the leaves
                Last edited by zazen999; 17-07-2011, 06:00 PM.

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                • #9


                  Here they are, first one is the holy leaf, second is so you can see how big the chillis are getting.

                  Dom
                  Attached Files

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                  • #10
                    Sorry Dom, I meant chilli not peppers. Some of my chilli plants have got the same holey leaves but they've still got plenty of fruit on.
                    Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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                    • #11
                      The one with the holes is a pepper, the other photo showed the chillis. The holes are starting to spread to the other plants though. It's contagious!!

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                      • #12
                        I'd do a thorough search for caterpillars as Zaz has suggested, I'll be out there searching tomorrow.
                        Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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                        • #13
                          If you don't get them now - they WILL eat into your peppers and chillis as well so please - get them now!!!

                          They can be found under the leaves - pick them up very gently and look carefully.

                          I've been looking for ages for the exact name of these; and each description varies so I'm hesitant to say what they are....but I do know they will have all your leaves and burrow into the fruits leaving the seeds just sat there on stalks.

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                          • #14
                            If it wasn't raining and I was dressed (I'm in PJs, I know, too much information) I'd be out there now. Thanks Zaz.
                            Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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                            • #15
                              I could give them a name, but better not.
                              Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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