Re-potting chilli plants

[Nat22]

Could anyone tell me if i'd be ok to re-pot my chilli plants now or should I wait until spring? They haven't been re-potted in the last 2 years and there is also a sort of mould/algae growing on top of the soil. The plants themselves seem really healthy and are covered in flowers and chilli's so I don't want to cause any problems. Thanks

[darcyvuqua]

i could be totally wrong but i would not move them while they were flowering as it would probably cause flowers to drop but if the plant has become root bound it may also cause flower drop i have never kept the same plant for over 1 year so never needed to pot on while flowering

im guessing its 50/50 either way

sorry cant be of any more use im sure one of the more experienced growers will be of more help

[rustylady]

You've done well to keep them going that long. What size pots are they in?

[Nat22]

I bring the plants into the house during the winter and so far so good I'm guessing the green stuff growing on the top of the soil is down to the wet summer we've had but not sure. They are in approx 5 inch pots. The plants aren't too big for the pots (i don't think) but i'm guessing the green stuff isn't going to be doing them any favours which is the main reason for me wanting to repot.

[T8Ter]

Hi Nat,
Personally I'd move them into new pots around March time so that they have fresh nutrients ready for their summer growth surge.

[darcyvuqua]

I bring the plants into the house during the winter and so far so good I'm guessing the green stuff growing on the top of the soil is down to the wet summer we've had but not sure. They are in approx 5 inch pots. The plants aren't too big for the pots (i don't think) but i'm guessing the green stuff isn't going to be doing them any favours which is the main reason for me wanting to repot.

when you take them in do you cut them back?

[lulubell]

I repotted mine the other day while there are flowers and chillies on them and they are fine just be careful when doing it and you should be fine.

[Nat22]

when you take them in do you cut them back?

I haven't done in the past - should I? I don't really have a clue what I'm doing with them if I'm honest, I've just been lucky so far!

[Nat22]

I've just tried to upload a photo to show what I mean about the 'green stuff' growing on the top of the soil but think there's a problem with the website as it keeps failing. Anyone else had problems with photos recently?

[darcyvuqua]

I haven't done in the past - should I? I don't really have a clue what I'm doing with them if I'm honest, I've just been lucky so far!

i watch a few videos on youtube everyone has cut them back to over winter i was thinking of trying it this year with my peppers too i asked a question on here about overwintering some say to cut back roots too!

what results did you get on your second year? was it better than the first

[Nat22]

i watch a few videos on youtube everyone has cut them back to over winter i was thinking of trying it this year with my peppers too i asked a question on here about overwintering some say to cut back roots too!

what results did you get on your second year? was it better than the first

I don't think I dare cut the roots back! I have 3 plants, the largest has done as well as last year - totally covered in chillies. The other 2 are a little behind and are just flowering but they're looking like they will produce around the same amount as last year too. They've not done bad considering the rubbish wet summer we've had.

[darcyvuqua]

where do you grow them indoors, greenhouse or outside?
sorry just want to learn as much as possible before trying it this year there was an artical in this months mag not got round to read it properly yet though

[rustylady]

So do they live in the garden in the summer?

The green stuff will be algae and may be due to wet conditions.

It's getting a bit late in the season to be re-potting, but you could scrape off the top surface of the compost and top dress with fresh.

[Two_Sheds]

I've just tried to upload a photo ... Anyone else had problems with photos recently?

No ... are your photos really big? You may need to reduce them before posting

[Nat22]

Reduced the size, thanks I keep the plants outdoors through the summer and in my kitchen window during the winter. I feed them fortnightly through the summer with the 'worm wee' that drains from my wormery. Don't remember what sort of chilli they are as the packet has been thrown away, they don't grow very large but they are quite tasty though.