Chilli Growers - what's on your growing list for 2018?

[Mitzi]

I have germination! My Ivory Coast chillies were very quick, starting to sprout in just three days. I don't think they're particularly exciting though: basically just red habanero type. Brazilian Ghost seem to be starting to sprout today, which is a bit more exciting. List still not finalised, in fact I'm just sowing a couple of varieties every couple of days almost on a whim. I was thinking of growing Fish this year but the reviews above have put me off a bit.

Can someone advise me on rocotos - do they need a long growing season? Should I start now or can I wait another month or so?

[Chris11]

Brazilian Ghost seem to be starting to sprout today, which is a bit more exciting.

I'm sure you know this one might still be an unstable cross, so it will be interesting to see what you get. Some people here are a bit negative about crosses generally, but I agree it's exciting. And this one could be quite special. And very hot

I was thinking of growing Fish this year but the reviews above have put me off a bit.

I'd still like to grow Fish. They look special and we've all got different tastes and growing experiences

Can someone advise me on rocotos - do they need a long growing season? Should I start now or can I wait another month or so?

I'd suggest these being one of your earlier sowings. They do have a long growing season. C. Pubescens types are the most cool tolerant so might be easier to manage early season as small seedlings. I think those lovely black seeds can also be difficult to germinate. Might be worth an early start in case you need more than one attempt.

[Philthy]

Evening all,

I've grown Fish a couple of times, last time was in 2013 I think.

Despite it's heirloom status and obvious rich association with seafood dishes, alas I've never really cooked with the peppers myself so can't vouch for those qualities. Myself I like to grow the plant for it's ornamental appeal. Found some pics in the archives; not great unfortunately as seem to have captured the plainer side of this particular specimen, but hopefully you get an idea of the variegated style of cream and green of the foliage. The fruits are particularly attractive up until ripeness at which point they switch to a uniform red, but they pass through several colour palettes before then, including stripes, and shades of brown.

If you want to grow something a bit different for the show bench, to capture the eye and maybe imagination, I'd strongly recommend this one.

If purely for the kitchen, sorry.. can't offer much help there

[darraghb]

So planting time is here

I put a bunch of seeds on damp kitchen paper on new years eve. They are in those plastic boxes that you get for take out and I put them in the hot press. Already seeing some start to sprout.
I'll do more in a month when I have more room but for now its the quantity ones that I use constantly for cooking and some specialty ones that might take extra time to mature.
List so far

Jalapeno
Cayenne Long Slim
Thai Hot Dragon
Ring of Fire
Cayenne
Devil Tongue Yellow
Trinidad Scorpian Peach
Bhut Jolokia Red
Bhut Jolokia White
Peach Habanaro
Chocolate Habanaro
Lemon Drop

One question if anyone could offer advice. I am going to transport them to a heated propagator. Do I wait for the two green leaves to come out of the seed or do I plant them as soon as I have a root growing out?
Thanks
Darragh

[Scarlet]

What's a hot press?

I germinate in my prop and then take them out as soon as they have sprouted - sown in individual pots.
If you keep them in there with winter low light levels they will grow rapidly but searching for light you will end up with long spindly seedlings, unable to support themselves.

Cayennes and Jalepeano could be sown a few months time and still give you a good crop.

Those that have germinated need to be grown on in constant warm temps with as much light as possible. If you haven't got grow lights they need to be on a warm sunny windowsil, possibly taken off at night.

I don't have lights, so I'll start in a few weeks time. Rember that those plants can't go outside until end May so if you haven't got a GH you may struggle for windowsil space.

[Scarlet]

Love your list by the way

[darraghb]

A hot press is an airing cupboard or closet when the hot water tank is. I guess what you call it depends on where you are. Basically a nice warm dark cupboard. Perfect for sowing chilli seeds

Had a few sprout in the first few days so they have been moved to a heated propagator by a south facing window. I got a small grow light for Christmas so as more seeds sprout in the hot press and I have to make room in the propagator I'll move them to the grow light. Although I'm not sure where I can fit it where it won't be considered clutter by the wife.

Anyway all first world problems. As room allows I'll do a second planting at the end of the month and then a last seeding of Jalapeno's and Cayennes at the end of February to bump up the volume.

[Scarlet]

It’s a trade off ...you have to keep her sweet with presents and flowers and the promise of a night out. I’m allowed clutter because him indoors does his cycle repairs in the living room!

[Mitzi]

So planting time is here
One question if anyone could offer advice. I am going to transport them to a heated propagator. Do I wait for the two green leaves to come out of the seed or do I plant them as soon as I have a root growing out?

I'm doing exactly the same as you this year - chitting seeds on damp kitchen roll in a plastic takeaway container in the airing cupboard, then transferring them to the propagator once they start to sprout.

When to transfer is a delicate balancing act. If I transfer them as soon as they start to sprout a tiny root, they don't all emerge from the compost; some seem not to grow a shoot at all. But if I leave them too long on the kitchen roll, there's a danger that the root will attach to it, and therefore be damaged when transferring and maybe kill the seedling.

I've got some spares of most varieties so I'm transferring some early and leaving others. If the early ones don't come up then I replace with one of the remaining ones, otherwise I just chuck them.

Nice list, by the way.

[Philthy]

It’s a trade off ...you have to keep her sweet with presents and flowers and the promise of a night out. I’m allowed clutter because him indoors does his cycle repairs in the living room!

Could be worse, Scarlet I've had a tiller and box of attachments permanently leaning up in my back bedroom for about 4 years. Needed some sort of repair but never got around to it and now I can't even remember what was wrong with the thing. However if it makes it to the shed I know it'll never get done. Like you say it's a trade off; stay useful and be good at changing the subject

[geepee]

My list so far is

Beaver Dam.
Devils Tongue.
Hungarian Black.

Also strong possibilities are..
Numex Joe E Parker
Numex BIG JIM,

Any comments MUCH appreciated as this is first SERIOUS year of Chillie growing...
Gp

[Mitzi]

My list so far is

Beaver Dam.
Devils Tongue.
Hungarian Black.

Also strong possibilities are..
Numex Joe E Parker
Numex BIG JIM,

Any comments MUCH appreciated as this is first SERIOUS year of Chillie growing...
Gp

You're one year behind me, then. It's all good! Not sure what sort of comments you want; your list is all mild peppers apart from the Devils Tongue which is pretty hot. Is that what you want?

Where will you be growing them (house, greenhouse, outdoors)? Have you considered one of the baccatums (often called ajis but that can be confusing) such as Lemon Drop?

[Mitzi]

My list might be expanding... I have won this in a competition:

https://www.southdevonchillifarm.co....ds-gift-set-7/

Contents may vary so I won't know exactly which varieties I'm getting until it arrives.

[Small pumpkin]

Congratulations Mitzi. Nice collection

[geepee]

My list might be expanding... I have won this in a competition:

https://www.southdevonchillifarm.co....ds-gift-set-7/

Contents may vary so I won't know exactly which varieties I'm getting until it arrives.

Well done for winning the prize Mitzi.
Further to your last reply ,I actually grew half a dozen mixed plants last year but very seriously, just kind of let them do their own thing lol.
I have a propogator and light box set up now, so was going to start them in there and then either to the conservTORY AND OR (AS LAST YEAR) Outside,

I kept a 'Basket of fire ' which is overwintering and also sowed some of last years Hab' and Jalop' seed on 31 st October 2017, these are now about 4'' high with 3 pairs of true leaves .