Life expectancy of chili and capsicum

[philandjan]

We have planted different varieties of chilis and capsicums in the greenhouse, all in growbags. Some are doing exceptionally well and some are somewhat slow starters.

Never having grown them before, how easy is it to keep the plants for future years. Growing from seed every year is very noble but is it really necessary?

We're rather hoping that, when they have finished fruiting(?), it's just a case of putting them in pots and keeping them warm over winter before letting them loose again next year. If only life were ever that simple!

We would appreciate the benefit of your wisdom and experience.....Yes! including YOU sat there reading this instead of doing something else ;D

[philandjan]

[Curryandchips]

This is something I want to try with my chilli plant this year - since I have nothing to lose ! If it means that I will get a bigger crop next year, then you will all definitely know about it. I am not sure about capsicum, but may try the same if I can find space ...

[sally_cinnamon]

We would appreciate the benefit of your wisdom and experience.....Yes! including YOU sat there reading this instead of doing something else ;D

Erm, that would be me then!  Although without the wisdom and experience!! ;D  I'm having a vague recollection of having read that someone else has done this and got a better crop after having overwintered it.  Will search it out and post it on (instead of doing something else, i.e. WORK!!)   ;D

[Barnowl]

I have overwintered several over the last few years - but not in pots larger than about 7" diameter. I've kept them on a south facing windowsill and watered sparingly then in January/February (or if they start to look a bit unhapppy) cut them down to a stump 6"-9" high. This usually either kills them or (luckily more often) causes them to sprout vigorously.

[sally_cinnamon]

Hey ho...  Here is a link to another forum that is just about chillies (the people on there are seriously obsessed!!) - I typed "overwintering" into the search and got these results...

http://chillisgalore.co.uk/phpBB2/search.php?mode=results

;D

[philandjan]

Thanks folks and thanks for the link, Sal, but it looks scary - soooo many chilli anoraks!  ;D

[amphibian]

I post there, I'm not scary, though I might be viewed as a chilli-nerd, though I am not heat obsessed like many chilliheads.

[cleo]

I have overwintered chilli plants and they do crop earlier and more heavily in the second year,but they do tend to get a bit `woody` after that,maybe I should prune them more?

[philandjan]

No offence meant, Amphibian - I'm sure that a lot of chilli people are really nice!

Never really understood chilli = hot but chilly = cold  ???

[Barnowl]

If this works the above is a picture of a 2 year old Bolivian chilli overwintered twice on a windowsill. The first time I cut it down to a stump of about 5" , repotted it in the summer then the second time cut down to a stump of about 9" - heaviest crop so far.

[Barnowl]

Perhaps this link will work..

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/jackdaw3/20060728_Chillies-July_023a1.jpg

[Gadfium]

What a stunner!

:)

[amphibian]

No offence meant, Amphibian

None was taken  ;D