Chillies - growing and overwintering 2017

[burnie]

Just picked my first Cayenne and there's more shaping up too, yahoo.

[Chris11]

I'm not 100% sure but I think it's an F1 hybrid, in which case it's unlikely to come true from seed.

Thanks Mitzi for flagging that up. I had seen Chenzo on some sites (T&M, SowSeeds) and there was no mention of it being an F1. I've done a bit more research, and I can see it's listed elsewhere (Unwins, Vegetalis) as an F1.

I also got a fast reply from SowSeeds, who have confirmed it's an F1, and updated their website immediately to reflect this, so all credit to them

https://www.sowseeds.co.uk/products/chenzo-chilli-seeds

[Scoot]

Mine are back, too. My ladybirds seemed to have cleared them, I released most of the ladybirds outside, then the aphids started multiplying again. I think you can buy parasitic wasps but they're only really suitable for greenhouses.

My outside plants seem to be clear of aphids; there are lots of hoverflies around so I assume their larvae are responsible although I haven't seen any (don't even know what they look like.) I have got various things (caterpillars, spiders) that stick the leaves together, and other assorted pests.

Theyre annoying little so and so's.

[Jay22]

My chillies are starting to turn red! Yay!!

[Scarlet]

Anyone got any tips for getting rid of Aphids? I've tried picking them off and spraying them with washing up liquid/water mix but they just seem to multiply every day and i can't keep on top of them.

If they are indoor plants, put them outside for a few days (you can bring them in overnight)

[bramble]

Ok...not so much about growing and overwintering chillis.
I bought three chilli plants at a farmers market earlier in the year.
When I brought them home I realised they had no names on.
Fast forward and they are all doing great but...one of them is just staying green.
Are there actually green chillis.?

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Bramble

Jalapeno's tend to stay green a lot longer, and are harvested so till well late in the season! If they actually get that far!

[bramble]

Bramble

Jalapeno's tend to stay green a lot longer, and are harvested so till well late in the season! If they actually get that far!

Thankd Deano but they are not Jalapenos. They are more like a cayanne but extremly shiney and a very light green.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Oh well! That's me "Flumock's" then!

[jackarmy]

To be honest Bramble they simply need more time, its a funny ole season. Ive very few red chillis, probably count them on one hand and im in the pretty warm south ( probably comparable ( ish) to your lattitude, yet SP has millions of ripe chillis and she lives north of iceland lol , i know she has lights but still, really slow for me .

[Chris11]

Had my first fully ripe pod from a C. chinense variety this week, a MOA Yellow Scotch Bonnet

[Mitzi]

A meagre harvest this week compared to recent ones:



L-R: Scotch Bonnet MoA (yellow) and NotScotch (red), Superchilli x2, Elysium Oxide, Etna (first one of these to ripen), Sugar Rush, Aji Omnicolor x2, Filius Blue x6, Chenzo.

[Mitzi]

Question: How long do Aji Lemon Drop or Aji Pineapple pods take to ripen?

My Aji Pineapple plant is only just now setting lots of pods. It's very similar to Lemon Drop (some people think they are the same variety by different names.) As the pods are only just setting, and the plant is outside (no room to bring it in) is there likely to be time for it to ripen? Obviously it depends on how early we get a cold snap but if, say, they take 6 weeks from set to ripe then they might be OK but much longer than that I will struggle.

[Scarlet]

Hmm, that's a difficult one, lemon drop generally do better in their second year. I don't leave any chillies in the GH past mid September so I wouldn't hold out much hope for many pods ripening before it gets too cold.can you ask a friend for some window space? They overwinter beautifully.

[Chris11]

Mitzi, I also have an Aji Pineapple, given to me by a very kind and knowledgeable fellow grower

It's in the greenhouse, and doing really well. It's a large plant with loads of pods and flowers, and it's got the typical sprawling growth habit of a C. baccatum.

Due to large size, it's on the greenhouse floor rather than on the staging, so hasn't had optimum amounts of light. Not got any ripe pods either yet.

I've had chillies ripen on plants in greenhouse way past mid-September in some years, but as you say, obviously it depends on how early we get a cold snap.