Will anyone be sowing chili seeds this year for an early start next year, if so which ones?
Quote from: grannyjanny on September 19, 2009, 18:47:09
Will anyone be sowing chili seeds this year for an early start next year, if so which ones?
I'm going to sow a few (maybe 6-8) chinense varieties in a heated propagator within the next month, mainly because their germination can be slow/erratic and they need a long season; the annums, bacaatums etc can wait until January or February.
Winter light levels are the limiting factor; I'm prepared to mollycoddle a small number of seedlings with additional light & heat over winter, but if I sowed every variety I intend to grow my electricity bill would be astronomical & there would be no room in the house for humans. ;D
What varieties are you considering?
Haven't decided yet, thought I would see what others are doing. I have a few seeds but can't remember which varieties. Do you know which one need sowing at this time of year?
I sowed a few in July to see if small plants would overwinter instead of overwintering the big ones, and then see how sooner they fruited
You can identify the species of the varieties you are considering via the chileman database (http://www.thechileman.org/search.php).
I'm only starting the chinenses early: 7 Pod/7 Pot, Mustard Habanaro, White Habanaro, Trinidad Perfume, NuMex Suave, Antillias Caribbean, Dorset Naga etc. Seedlings need a lot more attention than mature plants; if you want to keep them alive over winter they need to be provided with conditions that encourage them to actively grow. (Hence my previous comment about light. ;) )
If I start the above in October, hopefully all will have germinated by December, and if I have any failures I'll still have time to re-sow. ;) My Jalapeños etc will be dealt with in early 2010 as they're much quicker to germinate; if I had more windowsill space and was prepared to provide additional artificial light I might start these in early December, but I'm a cheapskate and can get an early crop from overwintered plants so don't bother. ;D
I have five seedlings which a Bangladeshi plotholder gave me. They are still really small but are starting to grow well. When she gave them to me they only had about 3 leaves on and didn't look very good. She doesn't know the name of the variety but as she loves extremely hot chillies I'm assuming that's what they are.
At the moment they are in pots in my polytunnel but I will bring them home soon.
Do you think they will do well on a sunny windowsill? Should I try to keep them growing over the winter, or let them rest?
I'll take some photos tomorrow.
gj,
Why plant now?
What's wrong with next spring?
I have a massive crop of an unknown varierty in the GH(bloody hot though).
They will freeze & keep for ages.
What's the rush?
8)
I like sowing seeds ;D ;D & thought it might give an earlier crop. Also I read somewhere to sow in Autumn.
I might try and overwinter some plants indoors, but lack of space usually prohibits that.
Otherwise I might try and get hold of some Red Savina, as this year's plant is just about to produce flower buds, so won't produce any chillies this year either.
Sorry my question is not totally on topic. It is also not meant as a criticism!!
Why grow 7 or more types of chilli? I grew 5 plants last year and despite being a prodigious chilli consuming family still have a freezer full.
So I didn't plant any this year and may not next year either.
I've got over 300 plants growing with 103 varieties! No hope for me!
I like to sow peppers and aubergines early, If you sow in January and keep potting on, you will be ahead and have big strong plants to put out after frost.
I don't know what new varieties I'll be growing next year, but I always have 20 favorites I will always grow.
Quote from: grawrc on September 19, 2009, 23:08:15
Why grow 7 or more types of chilli? I grew 5 plants last year and despite being a prodigious chilli consuming family still have a freezer full.
Oh, they'll all get used in this house. :D Seriously.
The varieties I mentioned above all impart different flavours, some will be munched straight from the plant, some frozen, some dried, others ground up and the remainder used in sauces & preserves. These are just those that may be slow to germinate, there will be more, including Jalapeño, Pimenta de Neyde, Aji Lemon, Pasilla Bajio, Rocotto... the list goes on.
And I didn't take your question as criticism at all, my family all think my little collection takes up way too much space. ;)
That said, I expect tantrums when we run out of fresh 'snacking' chilies (e.g. Jalapeño and Cherry Bomb), which will probably be around November. :(
I didn't know you could freeze chillies, do you blanch them first or just put them in as is? I would like to freeze some of mine as I have a bumper crop this year.
I shall also be attempting to keep them overwinter. Will they be o.k in the unheated greenhouse or do i bring them indoors?
Freezing chillies is easy! I pull off the stalk, give them a good wash, bag them up and freeze.
Overwintered chillies will be fine in the greenhouse as long as you don't get frost.
PS There is a section here just for chillies, check out chillies ahoy
Thanks Biscombe
Just been in the greenhouse and picked loads, Ive washed them and when they are dry I shall freeze. Didn't know it was that easy ::) ::)