outdoor chilli questions

[BroadRipple]

Hello chaps...I don't have a greenhouse, only a ropy cold-frame, and also don't have a heated propogator. Not boding well, I know. So my ? is this...which types of chilli do you recommend as my best bet for easy germinating and outdoor growing? did manage to get a few to germinate last yr with obsessive use of sunlight and plastic covers, but don't want to spend all that time on ones which need ongoing heat outdoors...

[Alison]

I've grown Nigel's Outdoor outdoors in the past and they did quite well. They're not that hot but could be worth a try. You do need to sow them early though to make sure they are a reasonable size before you plant out otherwise they'll be playing catchup all season.

[The Large One]

try some of the normal cayenne's or hungarian hotwax, nothing too hot as the real hotties need to be kept in a greenhouse tbh
scotch bonnets might be the only real hottie i would try to grow continually outside

[Shadylane]

I'd say Cayennes are your best bet. They were the last ones standing on our cold, windy and exposed lotty after the blowaway blew away in the autumn. The toms in the cheapo poly with the knackered, eyelet fastened, gappy door got frosted late October but the Cayennes stood firm.

[zazen999]

I grew seeds from Gelbe Kirschen last year; outside - the chillis didn't turn out yellow cherries [might have crossed the year before], but the plant was grown in a pot in our courtyard, and produced the hottest [inch and a half long] chillis we've ever grown.

I do crack my chillis open in a heated prop - but as soon as there are signs of life they are whipped out and grown in the kitchen. Once an inch tall, they go into the unheated greenhouse, with loads of fleece to keep them non-frosty.

[northepaul]

I'd try Cayennes too - although I would suggest waiting abit longer if not using a propagator - try beginning March?
I have heard of Nigel's outdoor ones, although I have not grown them.
T8Ter is the chilli expert, I am sure he'll come up with something, if he's about.

[BroadRipple]

all v helpful chillimeisters, thank you. will try cayenne or nigel's outdoor. now wondering if i have any seeds...am edging ever nearer a heated prop but feel I shd try to resist b/c of £££ - do you think it's a false economy or is sunlight and obsessiveness really ok?

[DGoulston]

MY cayennes grew very well outdoors around 60 chilli's from the plant, but they took forever to ripen up.

I also grew jalapeño's but only got about 8 chilli's in total from that one plant.

[Scarlet]

I haven't grown them myself but in the seed swap I received Gusto Purple Chilli seeds from BarleySugar. I've looked them up Chilli Gusto Purple - Quality Seeds - Next Day Despatch
The info's says they are good for outside growing so they could also be an option?

[horticultural_hobbit]

I've finally got a hold of and sown Nigel's outdoor chilli. Only been sown a week, and I'm not expecting to see anything shoot up soon. Unless I stick them in the heated prop; currently sat by a sun trap window by a radiator with nine other chillies.

I did a small victory dance last year as far as cayennes go. They were down late, and them sat outside for the most part. Had a dozen or so chillies that's started to red. But I have to bring them inside to ripen properly. Are currently overwintering.

[Two_Sheds]

I've grown cayenne outdoors before, but it's failed for the last two (cool, wet) summers

These were grown on the lotty, 2009

[daylily]

try some of the normal cayenne's or hungarian hotwax, nothing too hot as the real hotties need to be kept in a greenhouse tbh
scotch bonnets might be the only real hottie i would try to grow continually outside

Quite so. Indeed, why the Hungarian Wax got the AGM for. It grows well, all UK wide.

What some catalougues describe as a 'mixed up pepper' is very common in Eastern Europe. Turns hot with age. Or only hot along the veins, seeds. Absolutely normal around there.

[northepaul]

A heated propagator is a good investment - IF you want to grow tomatoes/hot chillis and aubergines. IE plants that usually would stay covered.

DGoulston & BroadRipple - keep an eye on the virtual seed parcel for Nigels Outdoor Chillis in the next few weeks.