Which Chilli??

[becky250970]

Hello GYO Peeps
I haven't done much posting on here but I am an avid reader of all the posts, I'm still waiting for my new allotment (blooming council!)

Anyway, this year I am growing on a windowsill Lemon Drop and Demon Red chilli plants which are doing really well. I planted them really late but we have flowers and little chillis forming which I'm really pleased with. I'm rambling sorry!

My question is what chillis are suitable for growing on windowsills, I'm looking for more unusual varieties also where is the best place to buy chilli seeds?

Thanks in advance for all your help

[Mrs Jackson]

Anything that says 'ornamental' in the description will be fine for growing on a windowsill as they don't get too big. Saying that, I grow all sorts on my windowsills and just chop them back if they get too big. I've bought seeds from Simpsons Seeds and RainbowChileSeeds (it's an American site, but I received my seeds in 6 days which I thought was great service!). Fatalii.net have a good selection and some unusual varieties too.

Mrs J

[sarraceniac]

I find the best place to investigate any type of plant is eBay. You may not want to buy there (I often do) but you get lots of pictures of the different plants to see which ones you like the look of and then you can choose where to buy them. This is 'my' chilli search address chilli, Plants Seeds Bulbs, Other Garden, Fertiliser Soil Improvement items at low prices on eBay.co.uk if you want a look.

As long as you remember to chop back larger plants, just about any chilli will grow in a south/south west facing window with a bit of common sense.

[SarzWix]

I get most of my chilli seeds from Ready to Grow, Chilli Seeds, Tomato Seeds, Capsicum Seeds, Banana Seeds, Exotic Fruit Seeds . They sell them in small packets so you don't get stuck with far more seeds than you need. Good germination rates, and the website has good info about growing too

Oh, and they tell you how tall the plants get as well

[becky250970]

Thanks guys - I'll investigate the web addresses at lunchtime

[Droppey]

Another one of my daft questions can chillis be grown indoors throughout the year?

[Mrs Jackson]

Yes they can, we've got several that live on sunny windowsills and are now about 3 years old.

Mrs J

[HotStuff]

My question is what chillis are suitable for growing on windowsills, I'm looking for more unusual varieties also where is the best place to buy chilli seeds?

My favourites this year of the ones I've grown are Naga Morich, because it's very hot and has grown really well and Peruvian Purple because the stems are purple and the leaves are dark green, very different from your average Chilli plant.

Another one of my daft questions can chillis be grown indoors throughout the year?

Of the 5 Chilli plants I had indoors last year 4 over-wintered successfully and are producing well again now. They were all just kept on sunny windowsills. Of course if you get into using grow-lights you can do even more year round.

[Droppey]

Cool so I can plant some now then?

[HotStuff]

Cool so I can plant some now then?

I wouldn't unless I had growlights and could therefore give them a totally artificial environment. Most people in UK sow them in Spring, or maybe a bit earlier if you have a heated propagator. Then you have a good long growing season, when (allegedly) we have warmer weather and more sunshine. In their native climates Chillies may be perennials, but a lot of people grow them in the UK as annuals. Over-wintering a mature plant is different from trying to grow something from seed.

[rustylady]

Anything that says 'ornamental' in the description will be fine for growing on a windowsill as they don't get too big.

Mrs J

Be careful with "ornamental" - some some members of the pepper family aren't edible (as with the ones you can buy around Xmas with the little round orange fruits on.

[cupcake]

I don't have double glazing all through so I struggle to overwinter on my windowsills, but I managed one cheyenne chilli and it's covered in pods! I shall try to overwinter my naga and scotch bonnets this year, but I intend to get a heated propogator for next year and a polytunnel so I can grow all the varieties I like! I'd be interested in what you think of the lemon drop when you taste it.

[leoblackcat]

My overwintered plants are definately far more productive than the new plants i sowed in March - I agree with Cupcake, will be trying to overwinter some this year too!

[Droppey]

I wouldn't unless I had growlights and could therefore give them a totally artificial environment. Most people in UK sow them in Spring, or maybe a bit earlier if you have a heated propagator. Then you have a good long growing season, when (allegedly) we have warmer weather and more sunshine. In their native climates Chillies may be perennials, but a lot of people grow them in the UK as annuals. Over-wintering a mature plant is different from trying to grow something from seed.

Thanks for the advice will get ready next spring now then

[Redic87]

Not suitable for a window ledge but when you get your plot if you get a greenhouse especially needed for us northerners try friars hat or friars hat very unusual and brilliant chilli