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

[geepee]

Last years Basket of Fire

[Mitzi]

I tried to grow Twilight last year and had zero germination so if my prize does indeed contain Twilight, I'll probably try that. Not sowing any annuals until February so I don't have to decide yet.

[Philthy]

...was going to start them in there and then either to the conservTORY AND OR (AS LAST YEAR) Outside,

Hi geepee Sounds good, so what did you try last time that went outside, and whereabouts (pot on balcony, patio, or open ground)? Did the plant/s crop and ripen ok for you? Would've thought your location and mixed bag of weather last year would've made for a challenge

Your Basket of Fire overwintering looks great, nice thick stem on it.

I grew Big Jim a few years back. It certainly produced some impressive pods size wise but that was in year 2 for me. Even then I still needed to support the individual branches not just the central stem during cropping as the branches themselves are sometimes unable to bear the weight of the developing pods. For the same reason the plant tended to grow outwards rather than up so height restriction wasn't an issue but spread might be (for you I mean). Other than the size I wasn't all that impressed with Big Jim; I found the fruits bland in taste and slow to ripen, with a waxy skin. Heat level is mild. As a stuffing pepper there aren't many that could rival it, but on it's own merit there are better choices. Plant itself has no particular ornamental qualities, looks okay but really just function over form this one. Just my experience mind - yours could well be totally different

[geepee]

Hi geepee Sounds good, so what did you try last time that went outside, and whereabouts (pot on balcony, patio, or open ground)? Did the plant/s crop and ripen ok for you? Would've thought your location and mixed bag of weather last year would've made for a challenge

Your Basket of Fire overwintering looks great, nice thick stem on it.

I grew Big Jim a few years back. It certainly produced some impressive pods size wise but that was in year 2 for me. Even then I still needed to support the individual branches not just the central stem during cropping as the branches themselves are sometimes unable to bear the weight of the developing pods. For the same reason the plant tended to grow outwards rather than up so height restriction wasn't an issue but spread might be (for you I mean). Other than the size I wasn't all that impressed with Big Jim; I found the fruits bland in taste and slow to ripen, with a waxy skin. Heat level is mild. As a stuffing pepper there aren't many that could rival it, but on it's own merit there are better choices. Plant itself has no particular ornamental qualities, looks okay but really just function over form this one. Just my experience mind - yours could well be totally different

Phil' the ones I grew last year were a seed mix packet.
started in a small heated prop' ,fairly late sown and struggled from the start really.
However once in the conservatory they did wake up and come good until Whitefly came along.
I took them outside an the patio and 'Squooshed' em with soap and water.
They were all grown in MFB pots...

Think they must have liked the fresh air because they all bore fruits.
Will see if I can find some pics.
Gp

Best I can do...!!
plus last years pkt.

[Chris11]

This year germinated so far:
Long Green Buddha

Overwintering always a bit of a lottery, but so far these still have a chance:
Aji Pineapple
Akabare Nepalese
Bahamian Goat
Bishops Hat
Burkina Yellow
Elysium Oxide F7
Orange Thai Large
Santa Fe Grande
Turbo Alberto (C. pubescens)
7 Pot Red

Have others in the propagator. Will keep sowing until I have around 30 varieties.

[the big lebowski]

great pics everyone ,geepee where did you get that foil you have on the sides of your growroom ? it looks nice and thick does it have a special name ? cheers

[geepee]

Hi Big L
I got the foil from Aldi a few weeks /months ago £6.99/roll 60cm wide X 7.0 mtr long, dont know the name. Ive seen it on line tho, about 3-5 mm thick, basically bubble wrap sandwiched between foil,Not fantastic Insulating property(but better than none) I think for Light Reflection it cant be beat,(see pics on Onion threads)
Gp

[Chris11]

Update. This year germinated so far:
Long Green Buddha
NuMex Twilight x Cayenne F2
Space HJ10 Afterglow

Overwintering always a bit of a lottery, but so far these still have a chance:
Aji Pineapple
Akabare Nepalese (Not even dropped any leaves yet)
Bahamian Goat
Bishops Hat (Is trying to grow new leaves)
Burkina Yellow
Elysium Oxide F7
Orange Thai Large
Santa Fe Grande
Turbo Alberto (C. pubescens) (Early stages of new shoots)
7 Pot Red

Have others in the propagator. Will keep sowing until I have around 30 varieties.

[darraghb]

Quick update.

Got at least a 75% germination rate on everything I sowed with the exception of Thai Hot Dragon which I collected the seeds myself. I will try another batch of these in a few weeks as I liked them and am wondering if I messed up drying the seeds or something.
Anyway, about 50 plants made it off the damp paper towel and are now under the grow light.
Space of course is the thing now so my initial plan of doing another 10-15 plant types won't be happening this year.

[Chris11]

Update, two more varieties germinated. List so far:

Golden Marconi
Long Green Buddha
NuMex Twilight x Cayenne F2
Ring of Fire MX F1
Space HJ10 Afterglow

Overwintering lottery, might lose some, but these still have a chance:

Aji Pineapple
Akabare Nepalese (Not even dropped any leaves yet)
Bahamian Goat
Bishops Hat (Is trying to grow new leaves)
Burkina Yellow
Elysium Oxide F7 (Strong green stem)
Orange Thai Large
Santa Fe Grande
TSM Medium Red
Turbo Alberto (C. pubescens) (Early stages of new shoots)
7 Pot Red (Strong green stem)

[Philthy]

TSM Medium Red

What's this one, Chris?

[Dalrimple]

yesterday I had 1 seed that had germinated,today iv'e got 19 so it's looking good ! so if I can get 2 plants from the 10 types iv'e planted I'll be well pleased ! now bring on the tomatoes ! atb Dal

[Dalrimple]

update 32 ye ha! sorry for the outburst I just couldn't contain my self! atb Dal.

[4Shoes]

Chocolate Habanero

Was looking at my over winter chilli plants today and noticed 2 very small fruit on the Chocolate Habanero - One very small green and in the background a Chocolate Habanero (1cm dia). Was not expecting anything until end of feb

What is the best thing to do?

Pick off all the flowers and fruit and force it to put energy into growing - or leave them?

Feed the plant?

Still to build the light and heated bed

The Red Scotch Bonnets are sprouting at the "branches" 2cm leaves - with the Ring of fire sprouting too.

[Chris11]

TSM Medium Red

What's this one, Chris?

An experimental one I grew from seeds extracted from a supermarket bought chilli.

This one was particularly tasty, and it wasn't obviously any of the usual varieties.

It also seems to be overwintering well. In far from optimum conditions of heat and light, it's still got leaves and fruit on it.