Chili over wintering outside

[stavroslinni]

Hi all.....

was just wondering if my chilis would stand any chance of survival out side if they were in a blow away greenhouse, and put into a polystyrene box in it ??
Or do you think itd still be too cold for them??

[Bren In Pots]

You're not that far away from me and this week my greenhouse temp has been as low as -2.2c over night so I don't think your chilli plants will survive being that cold.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Stavros your close to me to, lowest GH house temp recorded this year so far -2.7c. I think you would need some heat in there just to stand a chance.

Colin

[jacob]

I'm afraid they're hard enough to over-winter in the house, nevermind outside...

[stavroslinni]

bugger .... looks like il be starting again from scratch then in that case as not enough room in the house for them.
Regarding heat in there, would a tea light be any good? just to keep the frost from getting right in there?

[Shadylane]

Last time I checked, a few days ago mine was still alive I'm not overwintering it though as it was crap. It's a piri piri and produced about 3 chillies. I have no idea why it's still alive, maybe our garden is very sheltered or the blowaway is a magic one. I would be amazed if you got one to survive all winter, but I suppose it depends on how cold it is. We may have a mild one.

[PMW]

My cayenne chilli plant in my summerhouse was finished off by the very cold weather we had last year, but it had survived the previous year so it might be worth a try.

[snakeshack]

would think its gonna be a mite too chilli in there,my peach habenero only just made it on the windowcill

[Two_Sheds]

I've overwintered chillies before (have a search for the thread), but in my experience they do better from being sown fresh each year. The overwintered ones have always lagged behind the new ones.

[BroadRipple]

agree it's prob a bit cold. but mine is indoors and apart from a flourishing crop of greenfly, hasn't stopped producing, though it's big and impressive...is this b/c of lack of pollinators? actually, no flowers etiher...can I give it some tomato food to get some more, or too late? anyone know? or care? in the bleeeeak midwinter...

[veggiechicken]

..... chilli plants may grow,
earth stood hard as iron
15 degrees below.
Some had brought their chillis in
wrapped in cotton wool
whille Others had left them out
But which one is the fool?

[Shadylane]

agree it's prob a bit cold. but mine is indoors and apart from a flourishing crop of greenfly, hasn't stopped producing, though it's big and impressive....

Did you mean it HAS stopped producing. If so I wouldn't bother feeding it now, it will be going dormant for the winter. It may be nice and snug but the low light levels will be telling it to have a sleep.

[BroadRipple]

yes just lots of leaves, no flowers. curses, so is there any point keeping it in, or shall i just cast it outside and hope it survives (unlikely)? don't have enough space to keep it in if its useful life is over. oh yes it's tough up north (london). we're like ancient greeks chucking our unwanted children on to moutainsides.

[jacob]

I've got the greenfly too. I think the idea is that your big overwintered plant will produce early next year (although last year I got a little crop in Feb too). Certainly what happened last year.

Though the biggest bonus if for the hot varieties that I've had trouble getting much of a crop from in the first year, but overwintered gets a load of firey habs...

[BroadRipple]

ahah maybe that's the answer - so i'll keep it and give it a stern talking to and hope for early chillis...thanks jacob