Chillis - What size pot and pinching out

[Newtothis]

I have just repotted two chilli plants, a cheyenne and an apache into 19cm pots. Does anyone know how big they are likely to get and what the final pot size should be. The Cheyenne is already just under 30 cm in height and fairly bushy. I'm keeping them indoors at night and in the garden during the day.

Also, should I pinch anything out or just let them do their own thing?

Thanks for any help in advance.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi NTT, your Cayenne chilli plant can grow up to a metre in height and as you said bushy. I would plant it into a 25cm pot. Apache chilli plants are dwarfs only growing 30cms - 45cms in height and your plant should be fine in the pot it is in now. You can pinch the growing tip out if you think they are getting too tall which will encourage them to bush out. The Cayenne chilli plant will also need a cane for support.

[Newtothis]

Thanks for all that info, gosh that will be a pretty big houseplant! They are very quick to grow chillis aren't they. I will check out the shops today for one larger pot, another thing to add to my list

[Lesley Jay]

Hi NTT, see if the supermarkets are giving away - for free - any of their flower containers (because they all do!). I bet that would be an ideal size.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Good luck! I tried chillis and I killed them all

[Newtothis]

Oh that's an idea, when I'm in there next I will pluck up the courage to ask if anyone looks approachable.

Oh no Hollie, was that this year? Has it put you off trying again?

I had trouble last year with chilli's from seed, and thought never again, very dissapointing.

This year I bought tiny plants and they have just grown and grown and the cheyenne has a few fruits already, so I'm thinking they aren't too hard now afterall if bought as small plants. I just wish I had bought a couple other types at the same time, we're finding them fascinating.