Chilli Advice

[Jonnyt]

I'm after a Chilli for next year that will be used to make Curry (Indian). Ideally the plants wont be large and sprawling as my greenhouse will be limited on space.

What do you suggest? My first thought is Ring of Fire

[Chippy Minton]

I love a Prairie Fire, small bushy, attractive plants. Don't need too many to make a "warming" curry.

[Bacchus]

"Ring of fire" and "Apache" could be other options for you

[meteor]

I would also recommend "Apache" small bushy plant, good cropper and hot enough for any curry.

[chilli_grower]

Ring of fire are excellent. They are now the only cayenne I grow.

However - They can grow big. Mine are currently approx 30 inches tall with an 18 inch spread.

This includes the pot. They are all in 10 litre pots....

[Jonnyt]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

This year I've grown Jalapeno and only had around 8 fruits per plant and Patio Sizzle but to date harvested nothing as they are all still pale green. Around 30 fruits per plant I reckon.

So it would seem Ring of Fire is a similar size plant to Jalapeno? Can I expect more that 8 fruits per plant?

Is Apache earlier than Patio Sizzle? more prolific? as I can see they are similar heat chilli's.

[spamvindaloo]

Most Indian curries tend to have capsicum annuum varieties of chili added such as the ones mentioned above. Personally, I find annuums a little bitter and would rather grow varieties of capsicum chinense such as scotch bonnet or habanero. If you don't want it that hot, you can get mild varieties such as pink habanero or Tobago seasoning which will give you the fruity chinense taste without any of the heat. Datil is also a top choice for flavour.

[Bacchus]

This year has been a bit rubbish for growing - at least where I am - and chilies have unfortunately been part of that poor year. The type that grew best for me were the Capsicum Pubescens (they with the hairy leaves)

The superhot's have yet to do anything exciting at all.

[Philthy]

2nd the votes for Apache and Ring Of Fire - the former especially fits your brief as it's a good all rounder that stays fairly compact, and is untroubled by a cooler summer. Cropping is good.

Demon Red is a dwarf chilli (8 - 12" height and spread not including pot) worth consideration. Chillies are small but produced in abundance, and they pack a punch despite their size. One or two should be all you need (assuming you don't want blistering heat).

Personally I'd grow whatever takes your fancy and just have the secateurs on standby

[chilli_grower]

Jonny T

8 fruit per plant seems a very small number to me.

I have grown several jalapeno plants this year, and have had around 20 - 30 per plant.

Ring of fire - I have 3 or 4 plants, I also grew these last year. I easily get a minimum of 50 chillies PER plant!!!!

Mine are in full sun in a greenhouse from sunrise to sunset....

[Jonnyt]

I must be doing something wrong then!

[Scarlet]

They need to be started early in the season and kept in the house until night time temps are well above 12 (IMO) this year we had such a long cool Spring and it's not been a great year to grow heat loving stuff unless you have heat in the GH early in the season.(or grow lights) This year has been the worse for my tomatoes and chillies in a long time - everything has been on a go slow. Fingers crossed we have warmer weather next year.

[skeggijon]

The size of the plant depends on the pots size. I grow Ring of Fire and Prairie Fire in 4inch pots with a lot of success. The downside is that they need watering and feeding more regularly, but the upside is that the plants stay compact enough to bring into the house to overwinter without needing drastic surgery - but I'm no expert.

[Scarlet]

I bring in my pots what ever size they are, regardless of the moans Problem is the OH then does his bike maintenance in the living room

[Jonnyt]

I sowed in January and they were very slow getting going. I have Patio Sizzle with lots of pale green chilli's do I crop them or hope and prey they go red?