silly chilli question

[grawrc]

Growing chillies for the first time this year so I'm not quite sure about picking them or indeed whether it matters. Do you pick the whole stalk with the chilli or leave it on the plant?

Sorry this is a real "doh" question.

[grawrc]

[Oldmanofthewoods]

Pick the stalk as otherwise yer chillies will split - got some scotch bonnets in the bedroom - wicked!

[grawrc]

Thanks Old Man! Hot stuff! ;)I've got cayenne and jalapeño in the bedroom and no Scotch bonnets at all.  :'( :'(

[Oldmanofthewoods]

Pickled Jalapenos are my favourite on Summer (how we laughed) barbeque burgers!  My missue makes top burgers.

[saddad]

Mine in the PolyTunnel are coming on well...
;D

[pigeonseed]

I'm a bit jealous - my peppers and chillis haven't even flowered yet, so I don't think I've got any chance of getting fruit - I don't think I'll be needing advice on how to pick them! But i'll try and remember it for next year...

[Deb P]

I think I've grow a few too many this year....we are still eating last years from the freezer!

Still, most are fruiting, the hottie 'Dorset Naga' is a bit behind the others as all the slightly furry leaved chillies seem to be, but covered in flowers. The chillies are not quite big enough for picking yet but I will try some 'green' soon and see how they are doing heatwise... :-X

[Crash]

I grew all mine inside last year and had loads. This year I thought it'd be less work to have the bees polinate them and have them down t'lottie. So far I've got a few flowers but no fruit. Think we're in need of some sunshine.

[dtw]

I've got a few fruits on the plants in the greenhouse, but only flower buds on the ones in the garden.
Except for my 2nd year bolivian rainbow which has quite a few fruits.  :D

[Sparkly]

I over-winted an apache chilli plant and have been picking fruits since about mar/april!! The other plants are doing well too with many flowers and fruits (some red, some still green). I have the apache, jalapeno, cayenne, yellow hot wax and 2 unknown (from a mixed pack of 'hot'chilli seeds). I have kept these in the kitchen and occassionally put them outside when it is sunny.

[Barnowl]

I've a Mirasol up at the allotment. It's about a quarter of the size of its predecessor last year but already has ripe chillies on it.

The strange thing is nothing  in the GH has ripened yet.

Similar to Sparkly my over wintered (indoor) Apache had ripe fruit about a month ago. There weren't any other chillies nearby when it flowered, so although it's an F1, I might try harvesting some seeds for next year.

[Tee Gee]

Depending upon if I an freezing them or drying them I use a slightly different method.

If drying; I leave a bit of the stem/stalk on, then using needle & cotton slide the needle through the stem/stalk pull the cotton through and make necklace arrangement. Once I have sewn a batch I hang them up in the kitchen to be used as necessary.

If freezing I either leave them whole or chop them up and freeze them in ice cubes. When required I just throw an ice cube complete with chilli into the pot.

Saves thawing!!

[grawrc]

Thanks Tee Gee that sounds like a plan. :)

[tim]

When you have a moment, my jumper needs darning, TG.

[killerflies]

Thanks Old Man! Hot stuff! ;)I've got cayenne and jalapeño in the bedroom and no Scotch bonnets at all.  :'( :'(

Scotch Bonnet!!!
I managed to get that growing from seed this year and it didnt grow past 4inches tall.

Got the seeds in Jamaica in Feb and they are easily 3 months old.

Perhaps they are in too small a pot?

Would love to see a pic of your SB for comparrison............... 

[Emagggie]

When you have a moment, my jumper needs darning, TG.

;D ;D ;D ;D @ Tim!

I'm also a first timer with chillies and all I've managed in greenhouse so far are a few flowers on Bolivian Rainbow and Purple Tiger.
Ah well, ever hopefull. ::)

[grawrc]

Mine have real live chillies. I'm ever so proud. Now waiting to see if any of them change colour.