The 2010 Chilli growing thread - it's scorching!

[NickK]

All my plants have sprouted, one has even started flowering already!

Two of the plants have some browning at the top from the old cut but they seem ok. I'll keep an eye on them and if it continues down the stem I'll cut the stem and see if they continue to grow but they have leaves and are growing branches.

 

[NickK]

cool, so you started pretty early then?

i was considering buying a heated propagator today from B&Q, but they wanted 11 quid off me. the standard ones were only 3 quid.

i dont know what im going to do with all the chilli's from my 5 plants other than sell them.

Mine are the three Nagas from last year. I cut them back to the main stem and placed them on my bedroom window over winter which meant that they probably got some very cold conditions as the windows are single glazed.

 

[NickK]

Lol 21! I had issues last year with just three nagas and a few Jalapenos! I gave away two jalapenos and a Naga last year. In the end I dumped the Jalapenos to concentrate on the Nagas.

I'm tempted to give them a boost tomorrow under the lamp as forecast is rain, rain and more rain..

 

[NickK]

I would also look at reflectors or ways of making a foil lined reflector to maximise the return for that 30W.

 

[NickK]

One way to use the bulbs to minimise the electricity bill is to only use it when the day is grey or to extend the daylight hours. Both will mean moving the plant (assuming you don't want the light on your windowsill).

I found my nagas needed a good 8 hours of darkness during which they'd really put on a growing spurt. If I tried 24/7 lighting they didn't grow as well.

 

[NickK]

Chilli Focus > Tomato Feed >>> Baby Bio!

You should need to feed seedlings as a seedling pellet has enough nutrients for a month of growth by which time you'll be repotting probably thus adding fresh compost.

 

[NickK]

They're growing a second set of leaves and have all germinated!

It's going to be positively jungular in your household once those get going!

 

[NickK]

quick question guys...at what point should i repot my chillis into a bigger pot? and am i right in saying that i should only put one plant per pot?

Yes, you should really have one plant per pot. However by the time the seedling leaves are fully grown they've probably put out a large mesh of roots and may not be easy to separate. Usually with multiple seeds per pot, the weaker seedlings are culled in favour of the strongest.

The normal repotting time is really dependant on how limited the roots are. If you're using pellets then you can see the roots slowly take up the space around the soil. Once you see them attempting to break through fibres then repot. Alternatively if the seedling slows growth or has been in the same starting pod for a month it's highly likely it's ready for a repot.

 

[NickK]

Just had the dominos Meltdown the revenge, uses birdseye chillies, that was more than enough for me!!

Do chillies add up or are they like sound where its only the loudest that counts? E.g. birdseye (100k) & jalapenos (5k) is that 105 or 100?

Good luck with your growing.

Yes in a way - you're increasing the amount of capsaicin which is the 'hotness' in the food your eating.

Edit: correction - brain fried after work today..

 

[NickK]

My 45 watt light has come, man this thing is bright .. I didn't expect it to get so hot though, Ive set it up in a box lined with a4 paper with just the weakest plant in to see if it sets on fire or not before i put my other plants in...

Hehe If that was a HID it would 400W, require 5-6 foot between the lamp and the plant! And you don't even want to get near it let alone stare at it!

 

[NickK]

**** Last call for Dorset Naga seeds ****

I still have a load, so if you fancy attempting to grow a bush sized chilli. Note - probably not a good idea with little fingers (young kids) due to their potency.

The reason I say last call is that they take a little longer to germinate (anything from 2-6 weeks). Then the time to grow. So you may get fruit later in than others here.

Just shoot me a trust and I'l post them free of charge.

 

[NickK]

Right - I've just discovered I accidentally deleted the setting to download my trust OcUK mailbox lol. So Mark A - I've just discovered your email from the 20th Feb.. sorry I wasn't ignoring you but a rejig meant it was sat on my domain's mail server!

Right.. I have 9 emails today from various people (I'll include you Mark). I'll post them off tomorrow just in case there are any additional people only reading the update tonight.

 

[NickK]

Building on experience from last year's chilli growing thread - I thought we'd start a fresh with a new thread.

Last year's thread can be found here.

NickK - I've archived the old thread.

 

[NickK]

How big is the bush of the nagas? I'm looking to grow in a window box, so can't have a massive sprawling affair.

Not sure if trimming the bush would work either eek: ) but they're a good metre+ from the top of the pot.

 

[NickK]

They'll be fine for a month or so..

 

[NickK]

I would go for one plant per pot.

The fur - probably some form of mold. The problem is that the growing seedlings can be quite susceptible to particular molds. It can be an indication that there's too much water.

 

[NickK]

It depends on the light levels which depends on the type of chilli plant..

Nagas are used to more light though and they take longer to grow from seed to ripe fruit - that's why you tend to start them off earlier. Jalapenos, for example, are quick.

 

[NickK]

I should be sorting out the seeds tonight. I got distracted over the weekend.

 

[NickK]

right... after almost self pepper gassing myself I have deseeded the chillis - the damage is 5 sneezes, streaming eyes and yes I managed to give myself chilli eyelid on my left eye..

Please be careful with the seed and wash your hands carefully after handling them. My original seeds actually left a patch in the palm of my hand that hurt for a couple of days - you have been warned and I cannot accept any responsibility with what you do with them!

I have put in a minimum of 4 for each person. I know this isn't many but it's better that we get enough to people and if you get four of these you'll be disappearing behind a jungle!

As I have said before I can't guarantee they'll germinate but these seeds are all from the fruiting tree in the old thread and the same fruit used in my blitzing hot king prawn thai noodle thread. Fingers crossed.

I will send out an email to those just to confirm they should be on their way - two people, I know the internetz is great but I can't send chilli seeds through email.. so please respond to my email

I still have a few seeds left over (after reserving for those two people) - first come, first served.

 

[NickK]

just checked mine
What's up with them, too hot? to much water, not enough sun as it's been raining since they germinated.

This looks like it couldn't hold it's own weight. If they get like that they need a stake and tying. Usually that's light and possibly a little bit of cold too. They can be quite sensitive at that stage.