Chilies

[Greenfingeredsarah]

Does anybody have any experience of growing chilies? and if so, what kind of conditions do they like? I'm forever buying them so it would make sense to grow them myself....

Hot. Mine germinate well in a heated propagator. If you have a greenhouse, I suspect they would do well in there.

This year I am growing serrano ( freebies from Wahaca), Pyramid and Jalapeno. DH has chillies with everything so we will get through them. I think they are such attractive plants anyway.

You'll notice that those grown on a window-sill in winter are not nearly as hot as those grown in a hot summer greenhouse - something to do with the heat they need.

ah ok, thanks for the tips....I tried some that my friend grew in her garden (not in a greenhouse or propagator) and they were more sweet than hot.... I pick up the seeds every time I go to Wahaca and haven't yet got round to planting them.

Next week I'm going to be helping create an Eco garden at my DS' school to encourage more wildlife so the chilies will have to wait until the following week I think

Just watch kids and chillies - they might rub their eyes after handling the seeds/fruit?
Owww!

I can hear the wails already!

Remember chillies originated in tropical and sub tropical regions, so if you want them to grow properly, thats the environment you need to give them, so a good hot conservatory or greenhouse, and plenty of water.

I cant grow stuff in my conservatory, its so thermally efficient if it stays shut up on a hot summer day the temperature inside can rise to 65C, that kills even desert plants

I grow them in the same conditions as tomatos in large plastic pots.
When they are ready to harvest around September I just put them in a huge bag in the freezer. Take out one or two when you want them and chop from frozen.
Some years I manage a whole years supply. Chilli in everything here.

thanks for the tip inthesticks, i didn't know you could freeze chillies whole. Can you freeze ginger whole?

Yes. Its easier to grate frozen as well.

All my chillies have germinated! Very excited. This year could be my bumper crop.....

how exciting re your chillies! you must be so proud You should get involved in the RHS Grow Your Own campaign, it sounds right up your street!