2014 Chilli Growers Thread

A mini update.

I've got 9/11 Aji Limon seedlings now 1 of the germinated seeds i planted i think has bought the farm so I'm 9/11 now instead of 10/11.

The new Scotch bonnets i bough last week I planted the one that germinated in 2 days but it seems to have bought the farm too. I have 6/9 germinated though and soon ready to be potted.

I'm considering turning one of the spare bedroom in my house into a chilli room as it gets the sun all day, it's nice and warm especially in the summer and has a large window for ventilation. (I don't have a greenhouse)

Also quick question... For Aji's and Scotch Bonnets what would you say would be the optimum pot size for these?
 
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SizEzE said:
For those using grow lights, are there any recommended manufactures and places to buy from. Thanks
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I'm no expert. I just did a bit of reading and then plumped for this one from Amazon. Seems to be doing the trick.

HybridX said:
A
Also quick question... For Aji's and Scotch Bonnets what would you say would be the optimum pot size for these?
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I've read that the optimum size pot is about 10 litre (I think about 12"). Personally, I don't have space for a dozen 12" pots so mine only go as high as 8" pots. The plants seem to be happy enough in them. Having said that, I've just checked mine and most of them have roots poking out the bottom of the 8" pots already and they're nowhere near full grown. I might put some of them in larger pots just to see how much difference it makes.
 
I noticed when I open the blind that some of the leaves get sun scorched, is this because they are young? I have stopped opening it for now as it's still very light on the windowsill with it closed.
Here is a couple of the damaged leaves:
HN7CUU1l.jpg

K6EgB4sl.jpg.png


Here is a general shot of the ones still in the 3" pots, the small ones are the Carolina Reapers which are not growing as well as the Moruga or 7 Pots.
Smallest being the top right one and the plant in the top left is the one that went floppy last week but is starting to stand up again:
caGClHil.jpg


A lot of you talk about pinching off etc but I do not know what or if I should do it, in the example below is there anything you would do to this plant at this stage?

jMvmbBSl.jpg

KxjHKydl.jpg.png
 
Noxia said:
I noticed when I open the blind that some of the leaves get sun scorched, is this because they are young? I have stopped opening it for now as it's still very light on the windowsill with it closed.
Here is a couple of the damaged leaves:

Here is a general shot of the ones still in the 3" pots, the small ones are the Carolina Reapers which are not growing as well as the Moruga or 7 Pots.
Smallest being the top right one and the plant in the top left is the one that went floppy last week but is starting to stand up again:

A lot of you talk about pinching off etc but I do not know what or if I should do it, in the example below is there anything you would do to this plant at this stage?
Click to expand...

So, a few things going on!

Heat/sunlight is often overpowering for young plants. This can cause various reactions but usually floppiness is common, especially after moving a plant outside without it being gradually introduced into the new environment. I think your plants will become used to the full-on sun, if you introduce them to it gradually in small durations. You are unlikely to eradicate all side effects and the plants will bounce back.

Tall/spindly plants can be partially cured by burying them deeper in the next pot up, so you really are burying most of the stem. Roots will grow from the newly buried stem.
There is a post in this thread where I shared a video of a US gardener doing his own experiments with controlling growth/shapes of chilli plants, using pruning.

It would help to know what your feeding/watering regime is.
 
I see Sainsbo's are doing some unusual chillies this year. So far, in addition to the normal /generic supermarket chillies, I have seen:

Pimento de Padron
Bulgarian Carrot (maybe Aji Crystal)
Jamaican Red Mushroom

I have just been trying to ID the latter, as I have been trying to grow these this year as a high priority. I tried and failed with The Chilli Pepper Company seeds, so I am now trying Refining Fire (still awaiting germination). I have some highly unusual looking pods from Sainsbo's which I can try, now my ID has led to them not being Bishops Hat's (these are mentioned on the highly cryptic packaging), and my best guess is JRM's :) Pics to follow, once I've had breakfast...
 
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Herman Gelmet said:
So, a few things going on!

Heat/sunlight is often overpowering for young plants. This can cause various reactions but usually floppiness is common, especially after moving a plant outside without it being gradually introduced into the new environment. I think your plants will become used to the full-on sun, if you introduce them to it gradually in small durations. You are unlikely to eradicate all side effects and the plants will bounce back.

Tall/spindly plants can be partially cured by burying them deeper in the next pot up, so you really are burying most of the stem. Roots will grow from the newly buried stem.
There is a post in this thread where I shared a video of a US gardener doing his own experiments with controlling growth/shapes of chilli plants, using pruning.

It would help to know what your feeding/watering regime is.
Click to expand...

I watched the video where he simply cut the plant down when it got to 12 inches, a bit scared to try that one but as I have 21 plants I can experiment on a few. I also saw the one about pruning the leaves and the stems back to encourage it growing outwards, a bit far away from that at the moment.
I could just get the blinds opened at say 2 or 3pm and that way they will have a good 3-4 hours of it rather than 10 hours they were getting.
Regarding watering/feed, I tend to give them chilli focus once a week and the propagator is quite humid so they don't really need watering more than that I find. Would you say most of my plants are tall/spindly? I recall a few being like this last year but when I got the bigger pots and got them outside they went into big leaf mode.
 
Noxia said:
I watched the video where he simply cut the plant down when it got to 12 inches, a bit scared to try that one but as I have 21 plants I can experiment on a few. I also saw the one about pruning the leaves and the stems back to encourage it growing outwards, a bit far away from that at the moment.
I could just get the blinds opened at say 2 or 3pm and that way they will have a good 3-4 hours of it rather than 10 hours they were getting.
Regarding watering/feed, I tend to give them chilli focus once a week and the propagator is quite humid so they don't really need watering more than that I find. Would you say most of my plants are tall/spindly? I recall a few being like this last year but when I got the bigger pots and got them outside they went into big leaf mode.
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There are a couple which looked a bit lanky, and I think one is the one you said about being floppy. Generally not very tall yet, but I suspect you are growing chinense's mostly (most superhots are chinense), and these are not really tall plants, in fact they are typically very slow and short. For chinense's those two are a bit lanky but if they grow without assistance they should be good healthy vigorous plants (as they are winning!). If you need to assist somehow you can either prune, bury deeper or add support.

I don't use prop's for anything beyond germination and tiny seedlings, as I think it helps to get them used to less humid conditions. I would consider leaving the lid off, but be aware that this will cause the compost to dry out quicker, and you should monitor them every 5h or so to begin with.
 
neil_g said:
Okay so cold rainy Saturdays are dangerous. Just potted up the ajis and I have a load of spare pots and my brain is saying "you could get some more plants going.. hell, the weather will get better soon. The plants can go outdoors.. the OH can't moan about that.."

So I just bought some seeds from the South Devon Chilli Farm..

Hungarian Wax Chilli Seeds
Ring of Fire Chilli Seeds
Bulgarian Carrot Chilli Seeds

And I'm a little nervous as these will be my first Chillis from seed (my original plants turned out to be easy peppers and the others given to me in seedling form).
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I just tend to go with the flow and often end up giving away some of the weakest. It's not a massively expensive hobby compared to many. I always remind myself that if this hobby is introducing me and others to the power and beauty of nature, that has to be a good thing!

I'm still germinating (Jamaican Red Mushroom, Goronong and Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion) but I have lights to help speed it up.
 
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Herman Gelmet said:
I just tend to go with the flow and often end up giving away some of the weakest. It's not a massively expensive hobby compared to many. I always remind myself that if this hobby is introducing me and others to the power and beauty of nature, that has to be a good thing!

I'm still germinating (Jamaican Red Mushroom, Goronong and Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion) but I have lights to help speed it up.
Click to expand...

I think I've got space to try and germinate 5 of each, and probably keep 2 best each. I'll give any spares away.

Let me check I have this right.. Soak seeds for ~24 hours then in to medium and warm humid place until shoots form?
 
neil_g said:
I think I've got space to try and germinate 5 of each, and probably keep 2 best each. I'll give any spares away.

Let me check I have this right.. Soak seeds for ~24 hours then in to medium and warm humid place until shoots form?
Click to expand...

There are so many ways, but I just do this:

  1. Use a tupperware or similar box with lid, not too big.
  2. Add some folded kitchen roll or similar, just enough to cover the base doubled.
  3. Add some more on top.
  4. Put the seeds in the middle and make sure you either write with marker on the box, or some other method to ensure you don't get confused about the ID.
  5. Add enough water (filtered if available) to wet the paper and then leave for a minute or so. Pour off any excess. Put on the lid.
  6. Keep warm and add water when needed. If you have a broadband modem or similar, you might find this is the ideal temperature (mine is!). Leave it on 24/7 and you have a heated prop.
 
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Jamaican Red Mushroom (Sainsbo's)

?

H7g4TZz.jpg


Some of these look very much like JRM's to me. The packet just say's Scotch Bonnett Chillies (slaphead.gif)

Anyone have any other possible ID for the mushroom shaped ones?

DBhQxV2.jpg
 
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Herman Gelmet said:
I just tend to go with the flow and often end up giving away some of the weakest. It's not a massively expensive hobby compared to many. I always remind myself that if this hobby is introducing me and others to the power and beauty of nature, that has to be a good thing!

I'm still germinating (Jamaican Red Mushroom, Goronong and Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion) but I have lights to help speed it up.
Click to expand...

Herman Gelmet said:
There are so many ways, but I just do this:

  1. Use a tupperware or similar box with lid, not too big.
  2. Add some folded kitchen roll or similar, just enough to cover the base doubled.
  3. Add some more on top.
  4. Put the seeds in the middle and make sure you either write with marker on the box, or some other method to ensure you don't get confused about the ID.
  5. Add enough water (filtered if available) to wet the paper and then leave for a minute or so. Pour off any excess. Put on the lid.
  6. Keep warm and add water when needed.If you have a broadband modem or similar, you might find this is the ideal temperature (mine is!). Leave it on 24/7 and you have a heated prop.

If you have a broadband modem or similar, you might find this is the ideal temperature (mine is!). Leave it on 24/7 and you have a heated prop.
Click to expand...

Will give that a go, not sure I have any room with the router but the airing cupboard is always toasty.

I've got enough seeds to mess up one lot :D
 
Noxia said:
I watched the video where he simply cut the plant down when it got to 12 inches, a bit scared to try that one but as I have 21 plants I can experiment on a few. I also saw the one about pruning the leaves and the stems back to encourage it growing outwards, a bit far away from that at the moment.
I could just get the blinds opened at say 2 or 3pm and that way they will have a good 3-4 hours of it rather than 10 hours they were getting.
Regarding watering/feed, I tend to give them chilli focus once a week and the propagator is quite humid so they don't really need watering more than that I find. Would you say most of my plants are tall/spindly? I recall a few being like this last year but when I got the bigger pots and got them outside they went into big leaf mode.
Click to expand...

It does seem to work, at least on my sweet peppers..

Before
Chillies 23/02/14 by -neilgates-

After
Annuum 18/03/14 by -neilgates-

Now
Romano 08/04/14 by -neilgates-
 
That looks promising. I'm asking this purely as someone who doesn't know and not as a know it all, but should you remove most the leaves at the bottom as they don't serve any purpose?

rSECpk6l.jpg.png


Herman, I will trial the lid of for a bit as some of the leaves are pushing against the cover now anyway.
 
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