Chilli Advice

[GeekBunny]

Hello

I've never grown chillis before and so im not sure if mine are healthy or not :/

I've noticed little flies hanging around, i've covered the soil in case they lay eggs in the soil (which was advice given by a friend)

But the top leaves dont seem to be opening properly.....i've included a couple of pictures and would love any advice people can give me. They are Joes Long Chilli I believe..

Thank you

Sarah xx

[rustylady]

Well basically they both look reasonably healthy. I take it they are two different plants. Why have you covered the pot of one of them with foil? Where are you growing them?

[GeekBunny]

Both photos are of the same plant.

I got told to cover the top of the pots as flies/bug as lay eggs in the soil.

Im growing them inside on a window ledge, as i have no outside space

[rustylady]

Both photos are of the same plant.

I got told to cover the top of the pots as flies/bug as lay eggs in the soil.

Im growing them inside on a window ledge, as i have no outside space

Take the foil off. You may get scariad flies lay eggs in the compost if you keep it too wet and they are indoors, but they do no real harm. How many plants do you have, and how tall are they?

[rustylady]

By the way, I have just noticed that you are a fairly new member of the Vine. Welcome. Could you add your location to your profile please - this really helps when giving advice.

[GeekBunny]

Thank you And my location has been added!

I have 2 of the Joes longs, both about 30/40cm tall. I also have 4 cayenne chilli plants, they range from between 10cm to 20cm. Only one of my cayenne has bud's at the moment. And one of my Joes longs have buds too....but i have lost a few buds on the Joes Long, they seemed to dry out and grow brown.

I am also trying to grow some Bell Peppers! There only about 10cm's. But they seem to be doing well.

I am slightly worried as they are all growing in the same room, and if theres a problem with the Joes Long, I dont want it to spread.

Thank you for all your help!

[Two_Sheds]

They'll be fungus gnats, caused by overwatering.

Let the compost dry out as much as you dare (without killing the plant) then water from the bottom only, as in my video *shameless plug

[Potstubsdustbins]

Worth a plug though 2Sheds should be a beginners required lesson.

Colin

[Germinater]

The pic you put up looks more like bell pepper than chille plant did you Mark them so you know witch is witch .welcome to the vine too ..bell peppers seem to split and then flower and chillies tend to just grow straight up but I could be wrong just gowing on my own personal exspeareance ..defo take of the tin foil thought ..

[Two_Sheds]

I don't grow any sweet (bell) peppers, and most of my chillies have split/divided, only a few grow straight up like a cordon.

[Florence Fennel]

Welcome to the Vine Geek Bunny. Don't overwater the chilli, treat 'em mean and they'll flourish!

[buzzingtalk]

Don't overwater, feed from bottom a la 2sheds and if you're really worried about them, when they are in final pots, cover with an inch of horticultural sand - that stops the gnats from laying eggs.

[zazen999]

Worth a plug though 2Sheds should be a beginners required lesson.

Colin

It is already in growing techniques...perhaps it should be replicated as a sticky in new shoots?

Growing Techniques

[Potstubsdustbins]

Good Idea Zazen.

Colin

[GeekBunny]

Thank you ever so much!!! The advice has really helped!!!!

I've got my first 3 open flowers!!

Thank you again