Chillies and Peppers

[00C]

I think I need a little help, if this is the wrong forum feel free to point me in the right direction

This is my first year growing veg, I was quite late starting and so when I planted my chillies and peppers I foolishly assumed they wouldn't grow and decided to throw a couple of seeds in each pot. They seem to be going strong (no fruits on the chilies but I plan to over-winter if possible). The problem I have now is that there are 3-4 plants per pot, they have enough room at the moment but I don't think it'll stay that way!

If I keep moving them to bigger pots if/when required can I leave them the way they are? Or is there a way to separate them (the roots are really intertwined) without killing them? Or should I sacrifice most of the plants and just keep one per pot?

Lastly, is it also possible to over-winter pepper plants? The fruits are tiny so I don't know if they'll manage to come to anything this year. Any/all advice would be much appreciated

[zazen999]

You can keep them in one bigger pot, but if you are careful you should be able to separate them if you need to.

I'm overwintering a few chillis; I'm picking the best 3 [plus my humumgous Alberto Locoto Rocoto] as it's only just started producing peppers. They are going into the bathroom for the winter, once the chillis have turned red and been eaten - as I want to see if they start up again next year.

[quark1]

I also started late and it was my own fault for not planting them into bigger pots earlier.

Since doing so they've raced away - 2 fruits on one, 'forced' by 'initimate contact' with another flower by human hand! - but will have to be overwintered - so hopefully I'll have an early crop next year from around 8 healthy plants!

My Mustard Harbanero has leaves on it the size of my hand (female).

[DavidJP]

I overwintered one chilli plant (Apache) worked very well and had loads of peppers this year as a result. Pruned it a bit to control the growth a little. Just in an unheated greenhouse no other protection, we had some frosts seemed to survive well.

[Geordie]

If I keep moving them to bigger pots if/when required can I leave them the way they are? Or is there a way to separate them (the roots are really intertwined) without killing them? Or should I sacrifice most of the plants and just keep one per pot?

Say you have 3 plants per pot it is quite possible to simply use your hands and break the root ball apart to provide seperate plants, literally tearing the roots away from each other and then repotting the plant.

[rogesse]

I have some chillie/pepper plants I would love to 'over winter' Rocoto and 'sweet Aji' - any clues to keeping them alive?

[00C]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have several pots so I'm thinking about trying to split 3 in one of the pots into their own pots. Is breaking the rootball the way to go or should I try to rinse off the compost and try to detangle them?

[zazen999]

Just break the rootball.

[queen of the cobs]

you can be quite firm when separating them, don't worry too much, they will soon settle down. I sucessfully tore apart a tray of sweetcorn to plant out individual seedlings and they thrived (and sweetcorn are apparently notoriously tender).