Chillies - growing and overwintering 2019

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Been on the plot for a few today, The Lemon Drop and Spike (Cheers SP for the later) are still looking pretty heathy so maybe bring home and try overwinter!

Said I wouldn't, but waste not want not!

[4Shoes]

See I have a Thai Orange and a Aji Pineapple still growing in the polytunnel.


Moving to garage and will see how they survive into spring.

[the big lebowski]

thats a good point scarlet , has anyone started watering their "dry" overwintering chillis ?

[dave_100]

Are pests such as aphids prevalent with chilli plants which haven't been overwintered? I was hoping one of the benefits of growing indoors was lack of pests.

[Small pumpkin]

Are pests such as aphids prevalent with chilli plants which haven't been overwintered? I was hoping one of the benefits of growing indoors was lack of pests.

Just as much chance of aphids indoors as any where else.

[Scarlet]

To be honest I have had more problem with aphids on plants grown indoors - warmer conditions with lack of light encourages leggy soft growth which is a magnet for aphids.

Big L, I have been watering, very sparingly. The soil is pretty dry, I wait for them to start drooping first.

[IainM]

Last year I didn't get any aphids at all when starting them off early indoors. Unfortunately I only have one room to grow in and I've just ordered a tonne of seeds. I'm just going to have to find a way to kill them all. All of them.

[Scarlet]

You may be better getting rid of the plants you have and leave it clear for a few weeks before using that room for new seedlings.

[Scarlet]

Last year I didn't get any aphids at all when starting them off early indoors.

I've never had a problem with any on new plants when starting afresh ....it's introducing them with the older plants that have succumbed to an infestation, they are impossible to get rid of if you can't give them a spell outdoors.

[Mitzi]

When I grew indoors only, I didn’t have any aphids. Then I took the plants to my mum’s when I went on hols and they came back with aphids. I’ve never managed to get rid of them since.

[toomanytommytoes]

Never tried it myself but have read about people dunking their whole plant into soapy/neemy water and leaving it submerged for a while, so you get the aphids which can be easy to miss with a spray.

[Tripmeup]

This is the downfall with overwintering chillies, it's very difficult to get rid of the aphids When they have arrived. I wouldn't grow any new ones in the same room as it will be highly unlikely that they won't attract them too. Seedlings can't cope with the attack and if you inadvertently introduce them to your green house early in the season it's not likely that you will get rid of them.

Great advice.. Been that soldier unfortunately...
Spent a good while today cleaning all my equipment in my indoor sowing room with ***** to try preventing them from getting in this year..

[Tripmeup]

So finally got around to starting my chilli sowing..Only did a few, will sow more tomorrow..
So today I have sowed:

7 Pot
Boras 9
Smokin Ed
Chocolate Hab
Bhut Jolokia
Ohnivec
Gorong Yellow

Up and running at last

[Small pumpkin]

So finally got around to starting my chilli sowing..Only did a few, will sow more tomorrow..
So today I have sowed:

7 Pot
Boras 9
Smokin Ed
Chocolate Hab
Bhut Jolokia
Ohnivec
Gorong Yellow

Up and running at last

Just had to google smokin ed. I liked the name. So it's a reaper? Cool. Still not grown one

Anyone grown gibbering idiot ? I really like the name of that one. I can relate

[Philthy]

Afternoon all

I've not sown a single seed yet. Don't plan to until late Jan at the earliest. Mostly because I've no equipment at the moment - still have a better propogator to source - though there are substitute methods of germination I could of course use. Still, I'd rather wait until I'm properly set up. Historically early Feb has always been my main sow. I was going to bring that forward by a few weeks based on more recent successes. Then I figured, a more suitable propogator will slash my germination time anyway, so I'm still gaining if I just stick with the routine.

As for what to sow, I'm not 100% yet. I do know I'll be doing x3 different Fatalii this year; standard Yellow, also Red and White (and if I can find seeds in time I might do a 4th Brown variant). Strawberry Drop, Lemon Drop, and hab Giant White also definites. Some ornamentals, chiefly Purple Flash, and my favourite Black Pearl. TMLH (ta muchly SP). My prize find of last year (imo) Cheiro Roxa (I cannot wait to see that vivid purple glow to be witnessed when the sun falls on the mature plant. First time I saw this one it made me think of a Christmas tree ). Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Yellow is another one I'm keen to trial.

Most awesome of all I think is the news VC despite deep reservations will be joining us this year I did Trinidad Perfume and Apple Crisp last year (I have both on my bench overwintering again). The odd pod might have the merest hint of heat, but as a rule Trinidad Perfume is heatless. I took to eating the pods off the plant whenever I walked past it, if anything they're sweet, crunchy, and with a nice aroma. Apple Crisp is very mild, and a bit unusual which is always good. Average pod size for me was slightly bigger than a golf ball. Thick walled pods, I'd use them as I would any sweet pepper.

My top tip for overwintering dormant plants to beat the aphid scourge is to strip off all the leaves, and thereby reduce the surface area of the plant they can colonise. The plant puts out new leaves come spring anyway. The only thing is to be extra careful with the watering; with no obvious means of absorbing moisture it doesn't take much for it to be too much and therefore problem causing.