1st sowing of the year for me. Normally wait until feb or march for these but my Bolivian Red Aji which I love took ages to mature last year so im starting early this time, hoping to get a longer fruiting period once they get out in the garden.
Anyone else sowing?
I had the same problem as you, so i've sown some early - they've just all germinated (that's an improvement on last year too)
I'm sowing mine tomorrow. Since I don't have a heated propagator, I sow in jiffy 7s in covered half trays which sit on the radiators. A folded towel in between tray and radiator stops them from getting too hot.
Although this method would appear crude, germination is rapid, and they're then moved to a sunny(!) windowledge to grow on, before transfer to the greenhouse in April.
I gather that the more compact chilli cultivars can be treated as perennials, by overwintering in a frost-free place. Does anyone have experience of this?
Just put 4 Bolivian Rainbow in the heated propagator, at least that's what I'm hoping they'll be!
That's what they came from, anyhow.. :)
Quote from: Rob the rake on January 13, 2008, 12:04:24
I'm sowing mine tomorrow. Since I don't have a heated propagator, I sow in jiffy 7s in covered half trays which sit on the radiators. A folded towel in between tray and radiator stops them from getting too hot.
Although this method would appear crude, germination is rapid, and they're then moved to a sunny(!) windowledge to grow on, before transfer to the greenhouse in April.
I gather that the more compact chilli cultivars can be treated as perennials, by overwintering in a frost-free place. Does anyone have experience of this?
What size Jiffy7's do you use Rob? I have never used them before but they have been recommended to me by Jeannine for my peppers. Do you have to keep the trays topped up with water so the Jiffy7's can swell?
I overwintered my chilli plants from last year as they didn't fruit but they are covered in whitefly but I now have some tiny fruits on them.
I'm overwintering vhillis for the first time, they're about 15 inches tall. Hardly any leaf drop, and apart from a greenfly attack, completely healthy. They may even be trying to put out new shoots
Quote from: Paulines7 on January 13, 2008, 12:17:07
Quote from: Rob the rake on January 13, 2008, 12:04:24
I'm sowing mine tomorrow. Since I don't have a heated propagator, I sow in jiffy 7s in covered half trays which sit on the radiators. A folded towel in between tray and radiator stops them from getting too hot.
Although this method would appear crude, germination is rapid, and they're then moved to a sunny(!) windowledge to grow on, before transfer to the greenhouse in April.
I gather that the more compact chilli cultivars can be treated as perennials, by overwintering in a frost-free place. Does anyone have experience of this?
What size Jiffy7's do you use Rob? I have never used them before but they have been recommended to me by Jeannine for my peppers. Do you have to keep the trays topped up with water so the Jiffy7's can swell?
I overwintered my chilli plants from last year as they didn't fruit but they are covered in whitefly but I now have some tiny fruits on them.
I didn't know they came in more than one size! The ones I use are about 3cm across in their unexpanded state.
I carefully add water until they stop expanding, then drain off the excess, or they keep taking in water until they burst. A drop of water in the seed tray every few days is usually enough to keep them moist.
It's easy to see when they need potting on too, as you can see the roots when they emerge from the sides.
It's interesting and encouraging to know that your chillies have overwintered successfully. If they're fruiting already you may be in for a bumper crop! I'll definitely give that a go this year, thanks.
Get rid of the whitefly by hoovering them off with a dustbuster. It's a tip I read about recently which has worked a treat on my overwintered brassicas, so I see no reason why it shouldn't work on your chillies.
What variety are they?
Rob, I tried vacuuming the whitefly and greenfly (yes, I found it had both) with my vacuum cleaner but it was too strong. I will have to try a dustbuster.
I looked up Jiffy7's on the web and they come in different sizes. I will see if I can find some in the shops tomorrow.
The chilli plants are Peter Peppers. :D
Rob, I dont normally go to the bother of heating the sown seeds to get them to germinate - windowsill in spare room, in individual pots in half tray covered with the propagator lid normally does the trick. Mind you, i dont normally do it this ealry in the year! I shall see how these get on
This far North I find they need a head start, David, and sowing with heat gives me a better germination rate.
I've tried a March sowing for peppers, and they were so late into fruit that I may as well not have bothered.
They say you learn something new every day, but it's more like every minute with A4A on your favourites list :D
Today I have learned what a Jiffy7 is! At first I thought it was a padded envelope (or even a brand of condom?!?!), but im happy to learn you are not germinating your seeds in those.
For whats its worth, before I had a propagator I used to start my chillis off in 3" pots with clear plastic bag (such as a sandwich bag) over the top of the pot. I removed the bag once the sprout broke the soil surface. Probably a false economy, but nice and easy!
QuoteI used to start my chillis off in 3" pots with clear plastic bag (such as a sandwich bag) over the top of the pot.
This is not as daft as it sounds but in future put the pot in the bag and pull the top up over and tie with a bag tie. That is what I do but I park the bagged pots on top of the server or for extra heat put them inside it. The Internet is sometimes a lot of hot air but even that has some use. 8)
Ah - good idea. I guess putting the whole pot in the bag would save having to put a tray under the pot?
Would also make it water tight if it were to fall over whilst sat on your server!
Quote from: Eristic on January 15, 2008, 01:19:24
QuoteI used to start my chillis off in 3" pots with clear plastic bag (such as a sandwich bag) over the top of the pot.
This is not as daft as it sounds but in future put the pot in the bag and pull the top up over and tie with a bag tie. That is what I do but I park the bagged pots on top of the server or for extra heat put them inside it. The Internet is sometimes a lot of hot air but even that has some use. 8)
I can't see my OH putting up with that, but it's a good tip, Eristic. ;D
I've sown a few peach habaneros, on top of the telly (it's not a plasma) a week ago, but no sign of any life yet.
I must dig out my propagator and get the rest going.
I've got some WHITE ones this year, Peruvian white habanero from www.peppermania.com (http://www.peppermania.com)
Quote from: dtw on January 15, 2008, 12:18:06
I've sown a few peach habaneros, on top of the telly (it's not a plasma) a week ago, but no sign of any life yet.
I must dig out my propagator and get the rest going.
I've got some WHITE ones this year, Peruvian white habanero from www.peppermania.com (http://www.peppermania.com)
What do you use the Habaneros for? Mine were so hot that one fruit was enough for 4 curry dishes. Spicy ones too.
I gave someone a small amount to try, about half the size of my little fingernail. What a spectacle, I really thought he was going to explode! And the saliva..........surely one human can't make that much. ;D ;D ;D
I'm sooo excited about chilies! here's what's germinated so far
Whippets Tail
Bolivian Rainbow
Peter Pepper (Red)
Bulgarian Carrot
Piri Piri
Royal Black
Jalapeno M
Hungarian Hot Wax
Fish
Demon Red
Newmex Twilight
Prairie Fire
Peter Pepper (Yellow)
Aji Angelo
Orchid
Queen Lauria
Inca Berry
Earbob
Aji Benito
Mayan Love Pepper
Yellow Mushroom
Turks Cap
Loads more to come!
Crikey, Biscombe, do you grow anything else?
What's fish like?
I think there may be several varieties of fish. It's meant to have been a popular chilli in the Afro American communities on the US East Coast. The fruit is very hot 9+.
They all have variegated leaves and the peppers can be a bit stripy too, but the colour of the ripe chillis seems to vary.
This year mine are almost orange.
Theres a picture here. Does this look like yours Biscombe?
http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/hot_fish_chilli_seeds.htm (http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/hot_fish_chilli_seeds.htm)
Wow, that's a lot of chillis.
Quote from: Biscombe on January 15, 2008, 14:00:41
I'm sooo excited about chilies! here's what's germinated so far
Whippets Tail
Bolivian Rainbow
Peter Pepper (Red)
Bulgarian Carrot
Piri Piri
Royal Black
Jalapeno M
Hungarian Hot Wax
Fish
Demon Red
Newmex Twilight
Prairie Fire
Peter Pepper (Yellow)
Aji Angelo
Orchid
Queen Lauria
Inca Berry
Earbob
Aji Benito
Mayan Love Pepper
Yellow Mushroom
Turks Cap
Loads more to come!
Quote from: Barnowl on January 15, 2008, 18:05:11
Theres a picture here. Does this look like yours Biscombe?
http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/hot_fish_chilli_seeds.htm (http://www.chileseeds.co.uk/hot_fish_chilli_seeds.htm)
Don't know! mines only got 2 leaves!!
Here's mine, but because of the flash you can't really see the variegated leaves.
Lovely Barnowl! I'm looking forward to my seedlings looking like that! Thanks for the pic ;D
QuoteWhat do you use the Habaneros for? Mine were so hot that one fruit was enough for 4 curry dishes. Spicy ones too.
I love very hot curries, so I thought I'd give them a go.
Every year I make a multiple chilli hot sauce ( for the last 2 years anyway), I usually put in a few very hot ones to balance out the milder ones.
I haven't tried Habaneros yet, Scotch bonnet has been the previous hottest in the sauce.
I have got some Bhut Jolokia (which hold the World record), but haven't sown them yet.
You are either very brave, or have asbestos insides! ;D
Started all but one variety of Chilli yesterday - Albertos Locoto (rocoto thing from VidaVerde), Lemon Drop, Habanero Peach, Carribean Antillais, Friar's Hat, Cascabella & Trifetti. Tabasco wants to be sown at soon.