Chilli Query.

[Travellers]

Hi All, I have 10 Chilli Long Slim Red,Cayenne Pepper Seedlings Germinated. I believe once they have their 1st true leaves you should pot up into a 3" pot, and then gradually increase the pot size until ready for the final pot. Can anyone advise me on pot sizes after the 3" The plants will be grown on in the conservatury, I was told under good conditions the plant may reach 2 to 3ft This will be my 1st attempt at growing chillies, Any advice will be most appreciated.

[The Large One]

rule of thumb is bigger the better
i grew mine in 10litre pots last year with v.good results but that was in a greenhouse
as to potting on, i tried an experiment last year and went from germinated to 9cm pot to 1 litre pot to 5 litre pot to 10 litre pot as and when they looked ready to pot on and another plant i potted straight from a 9cm pot to a 10 litre pot
there was no difference in plant size or yeild between both plants, the only difference was i spent many a sat/sunday sat in the greenhouse potting plants that didn't really need it going by my results

this year i will pot 9cm to 1 litre then straight into builders buckets @ 15litres (as i have a lot more space this year)

[SarzWix]

The main reason for recommending smaller increments in pot size is due to their dislike of sitting in cold, wet compost - if there's more compost than the roots can reach, this is more likely to happen. If you're good at judging the watering, then that's less likely to happen

The black flower buckets, which hold about 10 litres, work for me for peppers, I usually put smaller chilli plants in 5 litre 'tomato pots' which have always worked well. Both types of capsicum will fruit even in tiny little pots, and they generally do it quicker in a smaller pot, you just get less fruit. A larger pot will mean a bigger plant, and more fruit, but will take longer to appear.

[kizkiz]

My cayennes last year reached over 6 foot in the greenhouse!
I've seen an experiment on a chilli forum where a new seedling went straight into a builders bucket and was fine.
I wouldn't worry too much about pot size

[Paulieb]

As others have said its difficult to know whats best and personally I don't think the size of the pot has too much of a bearing compared to temp and light which will make much more difference at this time of year. I tend to pot on if there are lots of roots growing out the bottom of the pot.

Below 10º they'll just sit and wont really grow. Then 10-20 they'll grow, but slowly. And ideally you want 20º+ for good growth. Having said that I'll be starting mine soon with the intention of growing them perhaps a bit slower until its warmer in april/may when they should be ready to kick start into summer.

Potted on a lot last year but time will be short this year so planning on being meaner!