Chillies - growing and overwintering 2017

[vixylix]

Looking fab Mitzi!

[JusPotterinTim]

I had a 50% success rate taking cuttings from an actively growing Cherry Bomb.

I took some branches with a few leaves on them, stripped the lower leaves, rolled in rooting hormone and buried the bottoms in compost where the leaves had been stripped. I also reduced the remaining foliage by about two thirds to reduce transpiration loss before the roots developed.

I then covered the container with cling film and misted daily or twice daily. After a couple of weeks the leaves of the cuttings that 'took' could survive with no misting, without wilting, so I them removed the clingfilm, and watered them normally.

I may have been just as successful without rooting hormone, but given how long it takes for them to root I would use it to be on the safe side unless I find out it doesn't make much difference to chillies.

For the ones that didn't make it, I think they rotted, so although cuttings need adequate water in the compost, drowning them could encourage disease to take hold.

After a few more weeks there were signs of a decent root system so I separated the cuttings and potted them up, treating them just like a transplanted plant grown from seed. I gave the plants away but I know one was very productive the summer after it was produced.

[Scarlet]

Have you got aphids Mitzi?

Edit....just read your post! Have you tried giving them a shower?

[Scarlet]

I have some 8 year old (at least) rooting powder and was going to try that on a Bhut and a Choc Hab - maybe one or two others. Did manage to overwinter a hot lemon this winter.
So - cuttings are a bit of a challenge - I'll give it a go on a few varieties see if I can get anywhere...

Let us know how you get on.

[the big lebowski]

fantastic mitzi (apart from the aphids of coarse) thanks for posting the pics ,cheers

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Mine now getting natural daylight!

Want moving on once more I think!



Off this weekend! So "Prime Time"

Getting a little worried I am so far behind this year, said I'd never do it again!

But hey! What will be will be!

[Ms-T]

Looking good there Deano.

[Small pumpkin]

I have chillies :

And it's only April!!!!!

I've got a joe's long, Hungarian black & basket of fire

[sparrow100]

My chillies have all stalled in the cold. My padrons are really suffering and they have usually been unproblematic- it's got to the point where I've ordered some plug plants! But I was given a Zimbabwe Black plant though and that's got 5 chillies on already, plus a healthy scattering of ladybird larvae to munch on aphids. So that's my contribution to the circle at least sorted!

[burnie]

Do you pot your chillies on gradually increasing the size of the pot or can you go to the final size(8 inch terracotta ones)once the plants are 6 inch or so high?

[Tripmeup]

Mine are all romping away and a good few are now spending their nights in the greenhouse with some covering for colder nights...Have been pinching off flowers so far on many of them but might let an odd one stay now...

[Tripmeup]

Do you pot your chillies on gradually increasing the size of the pot or can you go to the final size(8 inch terracotta ones)once the plants are 6 inch or so high?

I would usually go to a final pot Burnie if they are over that sort of height and are bushy enough..You will know by looking at them generally speaking...Throw a few chicken manure pellets in when potting into final pots if you have some..

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Yeah! I'm gunna do what all else did last year and move em on to their final ten inch pots,with a bit of "Chicken Poop" good results if memory serves well!

[Small pumpkin]

I'll be doing that again this year Deano. It worked great for me

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Yeah! I remember you all saying!