Chillis, am I too late?

[sallym]

Just noticed that all my Chilli seedlings have been totally slugged. One must have got into mini greenhouse.
Am I too late to sow some more seeds, or would it be best to buy a couple of plants?

[Mi Jardín]

Mine aren't very big, so I say give it a go...or maybe try both as a "just in case"?

[Jillyreeves]

Mine aren't very big, so I say give it a go...or maybe try both as a "just in case"?

I agree, if you have some seeds what have you got to lose. If you need some seeds PM me I have some spare

[Alice]

What a shame Sallym. Chillies do tend to want a long growing season, that's why I start them early - on the windowsill, never outside.
I would think at this late date I would go for a couple of bought plants.
They'll still be your chillies.

[Frana]

If you do decide to buy plants, I was in Homebase the other day and they are doing a nice line of chilli varieties for 99p a plant.

I don't usually use Homebase as I find them a tad overpriced but they had some good stuff and the plants were in good nick aswell.

[crichmond]

If you are starting them in a heated propagator then its definately not to late, especially if you have a grow light of some sort even if its just a 100w energy bulb hung a few inches above the propagator.
And if you want to speed up the growth when they have germinated then you can leave them in the propagator and they will grow quicker.

[Two_Sheds]

South Devon Chilli Farm says this:
We mainly sow seeds during February and March, but you can leave it later.
There is a great variance in the number of days taken for a particular variety to reach maturity. Some can produce ripe fruit in 60 days from sowing and others take as long as 120 days...varieties such as Habaneros take 100+ days

Some quick (60-75 days) ones are
- Santa Fe Grande
- Serrano
- Hungarian Wax
- Cherry Bomb

http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/index.php

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for that link Two_Sheds - very useful. Now to find a couple of Hungarian Wax seeds to give those a try following the total failure of my chili seeds this year

[smallblueplanet]

I'm interested does anyone who grows hungarian wax as a chilli actually rate them?

If you want a quick growing chilli why not try a cayenne type? They'll have some heat too.

[SarzWix]

Thanks for that link Two_Sheds - very useful. Now to find a couple of Hungarian Wax seeds to give those a try following the total failure of my chili seeds this year

Pretty sure I've got some Shirley, PM me your addy and I'll try and get them in the post this afternoon

[shirlthegirl43]

I'm interested does anyone who grows hungarian wax as a chilli actually rate them?

If you want a quick growing chilli why not try a cayenne type? They'll have some heat too.

I have some cayenne left from 2 years ago - we don't like hot chillies much - hence me trying the milder ones.

Pretty sure I've got some Shirley, PM me your addy and I'll try and get them in the post this afternoon

Thanks Sarz - PM on its way

[smallblueplanet]

I'm interested does anyone who grows hungarian wax as a chilli actually rate them?

I have some cayenne left from 2 years ago - we don't like hot chillies much - hence me trying the milder ones.

Have you tried them before? Are they milder - the only few we've grown weren't mild - they had no heat!

[womble]

I grew the hungarian wax last year, no heat at all and not a nice taste IMO.
Also the slugs seemed to love them and ruined loads of the fruit.

I won't be growing them again. Easy to grow though

[shirlthegirl43]

Have you tried them before? Are they milder - the only few we've grown weren't mild - they had no heat!

Nope, haven't tried them. Have been trying Anaheim and Jalapeno Tam this year (and last) but all my chillies died last year (but so did everything) and none are germinating this year

[Noodles]

If you do decide to buy plants, I was in Homebase the other day and they are doing a nice line of chilli varieties for 99p a plant.

I don't usually use Homebase as I find them a tad overpriced but they had some good stuff and the plants were in good nick aswell.

I'm growing my chilli from seed this year but last year I got 2 plants from Homebase and they did really well (especially considering it was my first time and I didn't really know what I was doing). Each one cost me 99p and produced about 50 fruit!