2018 Chilli Growing thread
- Thread starter robfosters
- Start date
Associate
- Joined
- 15 Feb 2015
- Posts
- 1,064
They'll probably get killed off if you leave them outside over winter.
You can prune them right back, put them in smaller pots and bring them indoors over winter - should require very little watering as the plants will go into a dormant state then next spring you'll get new growth and can re-pot/move outside etc.
Some good guides available if you google 'over wintering chilli plants'.
Will be trying myself and hoping that the plants will have a massive head start over anything I grow from seed next year.
no space indoors but do u think the greenhouse will do? shame to kill the plants but pruning them back is a great idea as some of them have strong roots.
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Aug 2007
- Posts
- 22,396
- Location
- Wilds of suffolk
The problem with overwintering outside is twofold I have found
1) managing to keep the roots damp but not allowing them to freeze in really cold spells
2) In an enclosed space not allowing them to get damp and then excessively cold
Yesterday I snapped all my plants off above grond level 4-6 inches or so. I decided to leave them just like that in the poly tunnel and if in spring nothing picks up, I will just use new plants.
If they do somehow spring to life then great.
I have 2 indoor plants this year that as long as they survive the winter will go into the poly in spring, and two new indoor plants will be grown.
I was wondering about starting some new plants now. By the time they germinate and start to grow to a decent size we should be into spring. My house is always warm, the difficulty is getting them enough light so they dont go leggy
But even then I was wondering about just repeatedly trimming them back, I may try this as an experiment this year
1) managing to keep the roots damp but not allowing them to freeze in really cold spells
2) In an enclosed space not allowing them to get damp and then excessively cold
Yesterday I snapped all my plants off above grond level 4-6 inches or so. I decided to leave them just like that in the poly tunnel and if in spring nothing picks up, I will just use new plants.
If they do somehow spring to life then great.
I have 2 indoor plants this year that as long as they survive the winter will go into the poly in spring, and two new indoor plants will be grown.
I was wondering about starting some new plants now. By the time they germinate and start to grow to a decent size we should be into spring. My house is always warm, the difficulty is getting them enough light so they dont go leggy
But even then I was wondering about just repeatedly trimming them back, I may try this as an experiment this year
A quick google suggests that a greenhouse over the winter is not sufficient but I might just experiment on this espeically the chilli plants that have a strong base
Associate
- Joined
- 15 Feb 2015
- Posts
- 1,064
I think the main thing is protecting them from frost, so a greenhouse may well be enough - better to give it a go and hopefully have some nice early chillis next year
I think the main thing is protecting them from frost, so a greenhouse may well be enough - better to give it a go and hopefully have some nice early chillis next year
thanks that sounds exciting and saves me a bit of money but when do I snip them exactly? one of them is still going very strong.
Associate
- Joined
- 15 Feb 2015
- Posts
- 1,064
When temperatures drop and the plants are no longer productive due to the shorter days - so round about the end of October if they're outside.
My plants had all slowed right down (they're outside rather than greenhouse) and I was just waiting for last few fruits to ripen off before prepping them for winter - also had a couple of frosts over the weekend which helped make the decision easier.
No windowsills?
I find pots that fit nicely on windowsills, cut the chilli stalk down to about 10cm or so then remove from its existing pot. Using a sharp garden saw I cut the rootball down to fit the target pot. Put it in there with a bit of new compost and some slow release fertiliser then park on target windowsill inside, Water lightly.
Come spring/warming up they really come to life amazingly quickly, gradually re-introduce them to outside and once fully hardened up and no more risk of frost put into a big pot with lots of fresh compost. Boom, super early plants.
Have done this for 5-6 years before, had one plant that was survived 7 years before I let it die (moving house, didnt have time to faff about with them).
Soldato
- Joined
- 22 Aug 2004
- Posts
- 7,607
I've wintered all mine just about, going to bring the best odd one inside, and chance the rest in the greenhouse.
Do you leave the branches on inside the first 10cm?
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Aug 2007
- Posts
- 22,396
- Location
- Wilds of suffolk
I hear you.
I picked all mine that were left at the weekend. Got about 2kgs i think
I already have half a freezer full and about a litre of chilli sauce i made.
I have no idea how I am going to eat them all
I picked all mine that were left at the weekend. Got about 2kgs i think
I already have half a freezer full and about a litre of chilli sauce i made.
I have no idea how I am going to eat them all
I got window sills but I also got a wife! lol
I will trim them down and leave them in the greenhouse and hope for the best. chances are they will probably die
I will shoot for the stars and if I miss I will grab a handful of clouds!
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Aug 2007
- Posts
- 22,396
- Location
- Wilds of suffolk
Are they planted in the ground or in pots, if in pots aim to put them in the ground.
The roots are the most sensitive part, natural damp in the ground should keep them damp enough until the spring and also its far less likely that the ground will freeze to the depth of the roots compared to if they are in pots.
The roots are the most sensitive part, natural damp in the ground should keep them damp enough until the spring and also its far less likely that the ground will freeze to the depth of the roots compared to if they are in pots.
Good advice.
Also add mulch over them, 10-15cm deep. Keeps the ground from freezing as hard.
Last lot of chillies picked and dehydrated! I had a decent crop this year, especially seeing as I had to keep the plants to a minimum to keep the missus happy. I was fighting a losing battle with aphids and green fly towards the end, so the remaining chillies that hadn't ripened have been binned. I've given away a few jars full already and used quite a few so this is what I have left over to last me.
