2015 Chilli Growers Thread

Hamster · 25 Mar 2015 at 13:07

monkeyspank said:
john innes seed compost

Thank you. It appears wilkos sell it so will pick some up but before I go, will i need anything else like plant food, insecticide or other bits?

monkeyspank · 25 Mar 2015 at 13:28

hopefully not, other than some pots?
a bottle of Chilli Focus if they have it - or some tomato food.... shouldn't need to feed them for a while though

Hamster · 25 Mar 2015 at 13:31

monkeyspank said:
hopefully not, other than some pots?
a bottle of Chilli Focus if they have it - or some tomato food.... shouldn't need to feed them for a while though

Thanks again. Will take a look to see what they have.

randal · 25 Mar 2015 at 13:33

Ah progress. Jalepenos and Cayennes are doing well, Bhuts and Infinity slower to start but they're coming along nicely now.

booyaka · 25 Mar 2015 at 13:37

Looks good - my Cap253c are rocketing up, the others doing well but not as fast - will get a picture later

Mark A · 25 Mar 2015 at 15:16

Looks around the same stage mine are at. Just potted up 3 of the larger ones as the roots were poking through the bottoms of the pots.

Zenduri · 26 Mar 2015 at 00:34

Just been going through this thread...

:eek:

... Herman... Choice words given recent events :eek:

I'll post up some pics of my overwintered plants as they have started to really get going now.. not a single seed has germinated yet though from this years

Herman Gelmet · 26 Mar 2015 at 18:30

HybridX said:
Just been going through this thread...

... Herman... Choice words given recent events

I'll post up some pics of my overwintered plants as they have started to really get going now.. not a single seed has germinated yet though from this years

Indeed! I was just quoting an old punk album title by the Subhumans (the English band, not Canadian!).

Hamster · 3 Apr 2015 at 18:23

I've got my seeds in a basic little propogator which has 5 sections (different seeds in each), each containing 6 sowing cells attached together. One of the cells has a seedling that's popped up an inch or so above the soil. What's the best thing to do? I want to leave the propagator where it is for the time being as it's a good temperature but it's not exposed to much more than room lighting. The windowsill area is still a bit cold.

-edit- I think i could cut the sections into individual cells and just stick that growing one on the windowsill. Would that be a better idea than repotting for the moment?

Herman Gelmet · 4 Apr 2015 at 11:14

Hamster said:
I've got my seeds in a basic little propogator which has 5 sections (different seeds in each), each containing 6 sowing cells attached together. One of the cells has a seedling that's popped up an inch or so above the soil. What's the best thing to do? I want to leave the propagator where it is for the time being as it's a good temperature but it's not exposed to much more than room lighting. The windowsill area is still a bit cold.

-edit- I think i could cut the sections into individual cells and just stick that growing one on the windowsill. Would that be a better idea than repotting for the moment?

My process is to:

1. Germinate seeds in kitchen roll paper, in a constantly warm environment.

2. When they germinate I put the tiny sprout into a plug (a Root Riot cube) and put these into small plastic rectangle tupperware style boxes, as this keeps all the cubes in one place, and I can write on the box to help ID seedlings.

3. The tupperware box goes into the prop, which is next to the electric storage heater and kept moist.

4. Once they start growing roots out of the Root Riot cubes, I pot them in 75% - 25% Coco Coir / Organic Compost (home made). At this point they move to a south facing windowsill, just above the storage heater, so they are warmish and getting as much natural (free!) light as possible.

5. I plant out no sooner than May, but I use a progressive potting up process, to encourage healthy growth. I use progressively stronger organic compost mixes, topped with mulch and with additional ingredients as available (I use; worm casts, mycelium, compost teas, comfrey teas etc.)

I never use tap water as it kills many of the healthy and diverse bacteria and mycelium. Rain water is best.

Prop's come in all shapes and sizes, and if I were you I would try and get a second. This could help, especially if it is heated. If you have long south facing windowsill too, you could use a long rectangular heated prop, on a sill to maximise light. Plants not getting enough light will stretch up and up and is less than ideal growth pattern. Chillies grown in really good conditions, are 'usually' small and compact young plants.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...agator&sprefix=heated+windowsill+,outdoor,117

Hamster · 4 Apr 2015 at 17:40

Thanks Herman

Looks like i've got a long way to go to looking at that method

I think i'll have a good look for a heated propagator or a heating mat.

May I ask about stage 2? Once they sprout, do they not start needing light at that stage?

Herman Gelmet · 5 Apr 2015 at 10:36

Hamster said:
Thanks Herman
Looks like i've got a long way to go to looking at that method
I think i'll have a good look for a heated propagator or a heating mat.

May I ask about stage 2? Once they sprout, do they not start needing light at that stage?

Not really at stage 2. Seeds go through an unfolding, using energy from the seed itself, and this does not need light as such. There may be an attempt to position itself, but it won't really use the sun for growing until it unfolds the solar panels (not the dicotyledon 'seed' leaves, but the proper leaves).

Zenduri · 6 Apr 2015 at 00:56

Well i have no idea what happened but the Choc Habs, Ring of Fire and Scotch bonnets have failed to germinate and all 3 have developed a weird fungus So i've had to bin them all.

booyaka · 6 Apr 2015 at 15:53

The garland prop has been superb for me - as a first time buyer.

I need to move quite a few to larger pots tonight as they are seriously growth fast! Pictures to come.

Hamster · 6 Apr 2015 at 21:47

Herman Gelmet said:
Not really at stage 2. Seeds go through an unfolding, using energy from the seed itself, and this does not need light as such. There may be an attempt to position itself, but it won't really use the sun for growing until it unfolds the solar panels (not the dicotyledon 'seed' leaves, but the proper leaves).

Thanks Herman

I have noticed the repositioning. One has sprouted and seems to grow vertically up and one from another strain isn't quite so sure yet

I think I may try using what I already have in terms of propagator. I've managed to make the lid taller to accommodate the seedlings, using some cut up recycling bags as a 'skirt' to help keep in the heat and moisture.

Makhaira · 7 Apr 2015 at 12:46

So if I was to be starting for the first time this year, have a greenhouse at my disposal, and I'm interested in easy growing and flavour over pure heat, what would people suggest?

There are a lot of shops around me that I can get traditional "hot" chillis from in a variety of types, hence why I'm more interested in less usual stuff that is flavoursome...

topgun06 · 7 Apr 2015 at 12:55

Scotch Bonnets are hot, but do have a fair amount of flavour.

Mine still seem to be progressing pretty slowly at the moment

Herman Gelmet · 7 Apr 2015 at 13:17

Makhaira said:
So if I was to be starting for the first time this year, have a greenhouse at my disposal, and I'm interested in easy growing and flavour over pure heat, what would people suggest?

There are a lot of shops around me that I can get traditional "hot" chillis from in a variety of types, hence why I'm more interested in less usual stuff that is flavoursome...

It's a bit late to be starting out from seed this season. Why not try a plant from an online shop?

World of Chillies

Let us know if you need a hand selecting them. Use the dial to select ranges.

ETA: Based on your requirements, I would suggest:

Pasilla
One of the Aji's
Pusa Jwala
Serrano Tampiqueno

randomshenans · 7 Apr 2015 at 14:50

I got my plugs through and have bought a couple in to the office.

No window sills at home and we have a load of sun in the office.

Above is the Butch T and the Carolina Reaper.

Makhaira · 7 Apr 2015 at 22:24

What a fantastic site, thanks for the link. Would I need plants or would plugs be ok? Quite excited to give it a go, never tried before!