Chillies

[andrewo]

More advice needed, I'm going to grow some varieties of Chillies in pots about six foot from the ground on a south facing wall. I'm thinking about 5"-10" pots are there any varieties that would tolerate this? I'm on the Pennines, so need a variety that grows fast, fruits well and will dry easily (wow, don't we all!). But I'm new to chillies and each year I've had terrible green fly problems with them - so I'm looking for advice on good varieties and also how to get rid of the beggars without having to resort to pesticides.

I garden organic (well almost, if only there was an organic killer for slugs!)

Andrewo

[Lesley Jay]

Simpsons seeds have a very good selection of chillies and peppers. www.simpsons-seeds.co.uk and they are not expensive. They are one of the cheaper, value seed merchants. Kings sell anti aphid netting which I am buying for next year to keep the little black flies out of the brussels. Kings phone number is 01376 570000.

[andrewo]

Chillies

Thanks Lesley, will look into that. Have you had much success with any varieties?

Andrewo

[Lesley Jay]

I grew a selection of peppers this year but they took months and months to ripen. I will give it another go next year with hopefully better results.

[dni_dave]

Peppers and Chilli peppers

I bought both a pepper plant and a chilli pepper plant this year. I can't remember what month it was but it was on offer at the garden centre so probably a few weeks later than ideal.

It went into the Ma in Laws polytunnel but a couple of times when I checked it was a little dry so perhaps didn't get the best of attention (another reason to get my own tunnel!).

Both plants did okay, but no better than that. I got a dozen peppers and probably a few more chillies. Not full sized though but this was probably due to the lack of care.

If I can erect a decent coldframe or minigreenhouse I'd do both again, but earlier in the season.

[Acorn]

Sweet Peppers

Can sweet peppers be grown outdoors? I've got a packet of seeds of Spanish sweet peppers but I haven't got my greenhouse yet...

[Lesley Jay]

Yes they can be grown outdoors. I grew them outdoors for a few years but the peppers didn't grow very big and stayed green. With being outdoors some were eaten probably by slugs.

[Berr]

Chillies

By far the largest selection of chillies I've seen is in the Plants of Distinction catalogue that came free with the copy of Grow Your Own which I recently bought and which led me to this Forum. www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk
Berr.

[andrewo]

Plants of distinction

I have bought my seeds off them this year and look forward to receiving them. Would like to point out that they have one of the largest tomato selections I have ever seen with some wonderful varieties for every situation.

I will keep you posted whether they crop well.

Andrewo

[rauni]

"I garden organic (well almost, if only there was an organic killer for slugs!)"
Andrewo[/QUOTE]
I can recommend Nemaslug nematodes as an organic slug killer. As far as peppers and chillies go, mine have been more successful the longer season they've had, so start as early as you safely can (with protection?), so they get to ripen at the end of the season. Indoors have had massive greenfly problem before, but keep on top with organic spray, (made of rapeseed oil I think). You really have to keep an eye tho. Once the greenfly are established its a nightmare.

[andrewo]

Rapeseed Spray

You wouldn't happen to know the name of the organic spray you mentioned?

Andrewo

[Lottie]

Yes they can be grown outdoors. I grew them outdoors for a few years but the peppers didn't grow very big and stayed green. With being outdoors some were eaten probably by slugs.

I grew peppers for the first time this year up my allotment amongst tomato plants and courgette plants. I also grew 4 in a little plastic mini house.

The ones up the lottie got left to the elements as we do not have water, and they all grew, but lots of small peppers, green, yellow, black, and a few red. I picked them small though and got repeat crops.

The ones in the mini house got watered and grew large and green but took longer. These were lovely too.

As a beginner they really did it all on their own.

[Clarea1]

Beer trap for slugs - i can't beleive the differnce. The Chickens do a good job too!

[charliefred]

I grew sweet and chillie peppers outside last year ( although really suited to greenhouse). I inter-planted with african marigolds and only really had some problems with the sweet ones. They did stay green although I had some chilli ones that turned orange towards the end of summer. Dont know if this helps.

Cheers

Charliefred

[rauni]

bug spray

You wouldn't happen to know the name of the organic spray you mentioned?

Andrewo

It's Bio Organic Pest Control, in a small (300ml) blue plastic container. Address on back is pbi Home & Garden Ltd, 1 Martinbridge Trading Estate, Lincoln Rd, Enfield, Middlesex, EN1 1SP. www.bio-garden.co.uk
It's safe for bees, lacewings and ladybirds, but kills greenfly, blackfly, whitefly, red spider mite etc. Also safe to eat sprayed crops, but you do have to do it as soon as you see pests, and keep on top. If you do that it works a treat.