Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Beisty on August 10, 2006, 20:42:58

Title: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Beisty on August 10, 2006, 20:42:58
Hi everyone

A while ago I was given a chilli plant, but I was never actually told anything about it.

I wondered if any experts on this board could advise on what type of chilli it was?  Also, are these chillis ready to eat now, or will they turn red?

I really like the plant and wondered if it would survive the winter.

Thanks for your help.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y35/watchesdirect/Chilli3.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y35/watchesdirect/Chilli2.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y35/watchesdirect/Chilli1.jpg)
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Curryandchips on August 10, 2006, 20:47:24
It looks like cayenne chilli to me. These are fairly hot when ripe, but it is not possible to determine just how hot the fruits are just by looking. If you leave them on, then they may possibly turn red, then they will DEFINITELY be hot. Also, be careful of handling them, as you can inadvertently pick the heat up in your hands, and if you touch your lips or eyes, you may get rather a surprise ...
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Beisty on August 10, 2006, 20:51:17
Thanks, I thought it may be a cayenne too.  But are these not edible while green as well?
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: MrsKP on August 10, 2006, 20:59:51
looks exactly like my cayenne.  although if you took away the fruit my numex twighlight would look exactly like my cayenne !  leaves and flowers exactly the same.  ???

so i agree with curry.

and i had a green one the other night and i haven't died yet !
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Curryandchips on August 10, 2006, 21:00:56
Yes, they are edible, but they may not have much heat until they have matured. It is worth letting them grow as much as possible, although you could always try one ...
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: MrsKP on August 10, 2006, 21:02:50
i have so many fruits that i could eat half now and still have plenty for ripening and lasting over the winter.

my one the other night had a fair kick to it already.
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Veggie Mad on August 10, 2006, 21:40:41
You can bring the plant indoor before the first frost.  The plant will survive indoors over winter and I've read others say the plant will flower a lot earlier next year.  I am going to be trying this out with my chili plant this year. 

I too think it is cayenne, if you prefer hot chillies then do not water the plant and the fruit will become even hotter, if you like milder chillies then water the plant.
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 10, 2006, 22:05:05
I have a couple of trayfuls I'm planning to do that with; they've sat and sulked this year, but if I can overwinter them they should be OK to plant out next. What temperature do they need over winter?
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: MrsKP on August 10, 2006, 23:12:20
Veggie, I've got a numex twilight going spare if you want !  Geez a shout next time you're up.  It's a nice plant, but I've done well with about six plants, loads of fruit forming.

;D
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Hyacinth on August 10, 2006, 23:19:48
keeping chilli plants over. I only grow Apache (and never let them go red, cos I prefer the milder green taste/heat) and one year over-wintered one indoors. It wasn't really worth it, as chillies are so easy to grow and the old plant went very woody. Besides, I'd got all these frozen chillies to use up ::)
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 11, 2006, 00:32:49
What was the crop like the second year?
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: pompeydude on August 11, 2006, 02:35:25
good evening all,

I've got 2 chili plants, in my green house that are in full flower,  but do i need to do anything  to help set the fruit, like i do with me toms, i.e  misting them morning or night  ??

my aubergine flowers just fall of the plant and no fruit sets what am i doing wrong ???

Phill
Title: Re: Help needed with Chilli plant
Post by: saddad on August 11, 2006, 07:40:41
Bear with it Pompeydude... unless you have given them too much nitrogen feed they will fruit.. (the Chillies) Aubergines often throw some early flowers like Courgettes... male flowers only stage...
:)