Grow Your Own Magazine

I'm wanting to give these a go, but I'm a novice seed grower. Are they difficult? Which types would you reccommend please? And where can I get them from, I noticed some on ebay but they weren't cheap

Thank you!
Tracy

How hot do you want to go is the first question really. I have some home-saved seed from last year, it is cayenne but possibly crossed with Big Jim and/or Bolivian Rainbow. I know the seed is viable so if you want some to give it a go, pm your address.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

Oh I'm not fussy, I like hot or mild chillis - just as long as it isn't too fussy and relatively easy to grow.

Thank you very much for your offer, I'll definately pm you

They are pretty easy, much like tomatoes, sow them, pot them on when the roots show at the bottom of the pot. I feed mine when I feed the tomatoes. The cayenne got to be quite a tall plant which I overwintered one year in the house and had super crops from last year. It died over last winter though.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

You do need a warm spot for chillis. They are less happy to be outside than tomatoes, though if you can provide them with a nice sunny sheltered patio they will be fine.

Try and get some going asap as they tend to start off quite slowly, taking a long time to get to harvest. Germination can take a while so don't be put off - try starting them off indoors or wherever it's warmest, and be patient.

I was thinking about keeping it in the kitchen, but (don't laugh as I've never grown veggies before) I was worried about pollenation problems.

Hi, Ethansmum. I too have some spare seed if you'd like it. One is Fatalii (seriously hot) and one is a bog-standard cayenne.

Ethansmum - don't worry about pollination. Chillis, aubergines and tomatoes can pollinate themselves. Insects can take part, but it is not essential. Both necessary reproductive parts are contained within each flower - all that has to happen is for the pollen to be moved around a bit. Gently shaking plants can help this process.

More important is that you give the chilli enough light and warmth.

Okay Super! I can't stop thinking about all the lovely chilli recipes I'm going to cook LOL! Thank you all for your advice- I'm keeping a warm windowsill free especially for my 'babies'.

Thanks Blue Moon, I'll be pm'ing you soon

Hi Ethansmum
If you are thinking about growing your chilli plant or plants in the kitchen, then a dwarf variety would suit you well - last year I grew Apache and Cheyenne - both hot - very successfully ( maybe too successfully -still have kilos of chillies in the freezer) in 5 litre pots in my tunnel - they reach about 18" to 2' high and form quite compact bushes, dripping with chillies.

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th