First chilies! only few side shoots...

**Pa Snips** · 01-05-2012, 06:06 PM

I'm new to this so I cannot offer any advice but would like to say that yours look like they're slightly ahead of mine in terms of growth, based on the growth pattern. Mine have the tiniest of side shoots just like yours do. They have also only produced miniature flower buds that shrivelled up and fell off within a couple of days which, I had assumed, was due to them only being infant plants.

Do you know how old yours are? I don't bother to keep records of these things but I'm sure mine are around seven or eight weeks old. At 33cm, my tallest is looking like it's going to get pretty big by the time it's reached full height.

Anyway, those are cracking looking plants and well done on getting some pods coming through.

**zazen999** · 01-05-2012, 06:11 PM

I always pinch the first flower out of all my chillis and peppers. But as long as you are getting fruit, what does it matter how much foliage it has? Unless it's a pot plant you are after.

**Superh** · 01-05-2012, 06:13 PM

I'm new aswell, this is my first year growing anything!

I germinated the plants above before christmas believe it or not. They have been growing since the start of January. I did keep them in small pots for a very long time though, I had to try slow them down.

I think with chili plants it hugely depends on the variety. The small plants in the first picture are 12 week old dorset naga plants...

thanks

**Superh** · 01-05-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by zazen999 View Post

I always pinch the first flower out of all my chillis and peppers. But as long as you are getting fruit, what does it matter how much foliage it has? Unless it's a pot plant you are after.

My understanding was that the plants are going to need more foliage to support the fruit it grows. the plant creates capsaicin which makes the fruit hot from sunlight, so i assume more foliage = hotter and healthier peppers?

Maybe i will try test this with a few plants and see what works best

**Pa Snips** · 01-05-2012, 06:19 PM

I dunno, apparently the side shoots should be removed from tomato plants to increase the yield, so I guess it isn't always a case of 'more leaves - more fruit'.

**zazen999** · 01-05-2012, 06:28 PM

Originally posted by Superh View Post

My understanding was that the plants are going to need more foliage to support the fruit it grows. the plant creates capsaicin which makes the fruit hot from sunlight, so i assume more foliage = hotter and healthier peppers?

Maybe i will try test this with a few plants and see what works best

The plant will put on as much foliage as that variety needs IMHO. If you want hotter, then try a hotter variety.

**Matt94** · 01-05-2012, 06:53 PM

also if you want hotter chilli's let the soil dry out a little before picking, then water

**Shadylane** · 01-05-2012, 07:31 PM

In fact let them wilt a bit before you water them. Our cayennes (in the ground) hardly ever got watered and they were loads hotter then our mates orange habs which were grown in pots and watered every day.

**Two_Sheds** · 01-05-2012, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by Superh View Post

I germinated the plants above before christmas believe it or not.

You've done fantastically well: did you use lights? (I don't sow before Feb because it's too dark here)

**redser** · 01-05-2012, 08:53 PM

I'm confused on the letting them dry out approach, I keep reading that peppers are thirsty, little and often is best??? It's my first year growing them. Have flower buds and not sure what to do.

**Superh** · 01-05-2012, 09:12 PM

@Shadylane @matt94

thanks! I completely forgot about letting them get dry and wilt slightly before i watered them.

**Superh** · 01-05-2012, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post

You've done fantastically well: did you use lights? (I don't sow before Feb because it's too dark here)

thanks!

Nope, no lights, just a nice south facing window sill, and put them in a greenhouse with 3 smashed windows and a heater at the start of April.

@redser, the way i understand it is that peppers are naturally going to grow in dry conditions, so its best to mimic that as much as you can but not over doing it.

**redser** · 01-05-2012, 09:44 PM

Ok thanks Superh

**Vince G** · 01-05-2012, 10:25 PM

My cayennes are already in the ground in the polytunnel. Got a couple of fruit about 3 inches long, but also mine aren't especially bushy. I pinched the growing point out when they got to about 6 inches tall too. Will take a piccy if I remember to take the camera to the lottie tomorrow.

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