over wintering chillis

[the big lebowski]

hi all i see in grow your own mag this month they are doing a section on over wintering chillis (i havent got it yet ) has everyone else stated doing their`s ? any tips ?

[bramble]

Not got the mag so cant really comment yet. ☺

[Tripmeup]

I have overwintered chili plants for last couple of years, but am certainly no expert...
Scarlet will be along shortly, she will have plenty of tips...

[the big lebowski]

ok thanks just watching "uk here we grow " on you tube he has a 10 min video on them ,any more advice welcome ,cheers

[chilli_grower]

I am overwintering just one plant this year (fairy light).

All I do, is lightly trim the plant (just so it takes up less room indoors), and then I bung it indoors somewhere bright.

And water very little, and just keep my fingers crossed....

Works for me!!!

[Thelma Sanders]

Not a chilli, but I've lifted my strongest red pepper. It's now potted up, pruned and living by the window in the spare bedroom.
I just give it enough water to survive til the light strengthens in Spring and new growth starts.Then it gets a drop more water and some feed now again

[PyreneesPlot]

I've had some good results wih fatalii but then also lost plants to aphids indoors. And leaving them in a dark shuttered unheated house for three weeks did not work out well, either.
This year I've got 2 each bhut jolokia and fatalii plus one each of peppers long red marconi & sweet nardello and am having a go at aubergines, too. I'm planning on repotting all up a size and pruning to a manageable size and they will live in my study which is east facing and the furthest room from the log burner. They'll be watered a little.

[the big lebowski]

thanks everyone ,i think temps will be my biggest problem this winter i live in a shared house and the heating comes on full wack most of the time and i think this will make the plants think its spring /summer and it could stress them or invite those pesky aphids ,i`ll have to have an ask around and see if anyone can take some to look after over the winter ,thanks for your thoughts ,cheers

[sparrow100]

Mine live in a heated house too. If they get aphids I put the pot in a plaggy bag and give them a cold shower upside down. They do adjust fairly well, but I expect to lose a few each year.

[the big lebowski]

ok thanks sparrow ,i expect to lose all of them so if any do survive its just a bonus

[Scarlet]

Which varieties are you trying to over winter?
I've found some much easier than others, lemon drop, habaneros, scotch bonnet are pretty reliable for me. I don't think the warmth will hurt, I keep some of mine in the kitchen and the aga is on 24/7 make sure you keep the top of the pot dry, water from the bottom. If you end up with a twig, don't bin it! Some drop all their leaves but still come back in the Spring.

[bramble]

All good advice. I keep mine in the conservatory facing southish. .
Biggest problem for me is aphids or low light levels.
Like Scarlet said, if your' e left with something resembling a stick, dont put it in the bin.
I usually nip a little bit off with the secatures. If it looks like its green and has some sap in, then its still alive.

[the big lebowski]

hi all,ive got scotch bonnet ,georgia flame,friars hat,habanero chocolate and cayenne ,my window is south facing but the way the wall is it doesnt get light all day slightly blocked after 4 pm in the summer,i do have a 125 watt cfl lamp,reflector and timer which i could use but i wasnt going to as i thought the extra light might confuse the plant,does it go into a dorment state abit like strawberrys ? should i give the lamp a try if i put it on for 6 hours and off for 18 hours ? any thoughts welcome ,cheers

[Scarlet]

Personally I wouldn't bother with the light, you might encourage long sappy green growth that will be tempting for aphids. But I've never used a lamp, so perhaps wait for their advice. Chilli grower uses one, he may well be along soon.
They do need their "seasons", I think it will cause problems. I have some on my East facing windowsill and they've always managed.
I wouldn't bother with trying to overwinter the "annum" varieties. Cayennes are easy to germinate and very quick to fruit, concentrate on getting those super hots through the winter and you will be well rewarded.

[the big lebowski]

great advice thanks scarlet