How does chilli grow

Sow Chillies shallow and sprinkle with minimal compost or vermiculite. Chillies can take some time to germinate, which if conditions are damp can encourage fungus.

The risk of this can be reduced by covering the Chilli seeds with vermiculite as opposed to compost. The pot needs to be misted, and either covered with glass or put into a propagator. Leave to germinate, which should take up to 21 days. Ensure the pot is covered during the germination process. To germinate Chillies need a constant temperature of between degrees and very hot varieties may need it even warmer, which means germinating in the house, somewhere with a steady temperature.

If you are growing on a windowsill, rotate the pot daily to ensure even growth and avoid spindly seedlings. Chillies dislike root disturbance and they are best sown into modules and transferred into a pot with all the root ball and a little soil disturbance.

In colder areas grow Chillies in the greenhouse and even in sheltered spots only put outside when all risk of frost and chill have passed and the weather is warm.

During the early stages of the growing season, it is often necessary to repot into a larger pot. You can tell when a Chilli is plant is too large for the pot as it looks top heavy. Another indicator is that when you look underneath at the bottom of the pot, tipping it carefully upside down, you can see the roots fighting to get out and straying out of the pot.

Chillies do not like root disturbance, so pot on carefully keeping the root ball intact. Choosing which Chillies to grow is very much down to personal taste, mainly the heat of the Chilli.

The taste and heat range from mild to mouth shatteringly hot. All the on-line sellers and garden centres have Chilli plants and seeds on sale of all different types and heat just pick what suits you. You might want to grow a self pollinating variety if you are going to grow it inside all summer, and to aid fruit setting give the plant a shake from time to time.

Small varieties are most suited to containers and hanging baskets. Chilli plants are great value compared with buying packs of chillies from the supermarket or greengrocer. One or two plants is ample, and they will produce chillies throughout the summer and Autumn to give you a fresh supply.

Once the weather cools off, bring the chilli plant indoors and it will fruit for a while longer. A bonus is that Chillies freeze really well and all you need to do at the end of the season, or whenever you have a glut, is pick them off and freeze.

When you want to use a chilli for cooking, just take it out of the freezer, rinse under the hot tap and they defrost instantly, they are firm and good to use straight away. This way you can have a good supply of Chillies all the year round, they are just easy to freeze and keep for months in the freezer.

You can also save the seed from one year to the next. Spring and summer are the best times to plant chillies in New Zealand. Prepare your soil with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets. Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Feed your chillies regularly and keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Stake taller plants and those grown in wind-prone areas. Follow our full guide below to a bumper crop of homegrown chillies.

Prepare In addition to planting in garden beds, chillies are perfect for a pot, basket, window box, and ideal for small plots or for gardeners with little time or space.

Plant Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. Planting in garden beds How far to plant your chillies apart in rows depends on the variety, but on average 30cm seems to work for most types.

Water plants thoroughly before planting and allow to drain. Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant. Partly fill the hole with Tui Vegetable Mix. Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole. Fill in with Tui Vegetable Mix. Press soil gently around the base of the plant. Water your plant well.

Planting in pots and containers Chillies don't require a lot of root room, and as long as the soil is 20cm deep they should flourish. Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.

Partly fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix. If the weather starts to cool before your crop has fully ripened, bring your plants indoors and let them ripen on a warm sunny windowsill.

Harvest chillies one at a time by cutting them from the plant with secateurs. Chilli peppers grown outdoors must be harvested before the first frost. Do you love growing chillies? Let us know on our Facebook page - and if you have pictures of your crop, please share! Plants and gardens have always been a big part of my life.

I can remember helping my Dad to prick out seedlings, even before I could see over the top of the potting bench. Hons Horticulture. Initially looking after the grounds and coordinating the plant trials, I now support the web team offering horticultural advice online.

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