Chilli help

[Nicola_D]

Here's some questions for all you chilli experts

I've read the Bhut Jolokia diary with interest as my chillies don't seem to be doing very well.

Here's what I've got:

6 F1 Joe's long grown from seed sown in April, seedlings were growing in a mini greenhouse (one of those with upto 5 shelves inside and a plastic cover) They seemed to be doing well, big leaves, and growing fairly fast, but I didn't pinch the growing tips out so have one main stem with all the leaves coming off it and they got attacked by some earwigs who nibbled huge wholes in the leaves. So I've brought them inside. They seem to be recovering well with new growth and they've even started bushing out a bit at the top but there are no flowers or buds at all :-(

I have 1 Jalapeno, given to me by my MIL as a seedling. This is a bit bushier, but only small - about 12-15cms high, it's also had no buds or flowers.

and I have another plant my MIL gave me as a seedling and she's written "pepper - 'hot and spicy' - indoors" so I've grown it indoors and again it's not as big as the ones that were in the green house and also no buds or flowers

So I'm guessing I'm not going to get any fruit this season from them :-(

Do you think I should try overwintering them? Do you need to overwinter indoor plants? What should I be feeding them - tbh I think because they are indoors they've just been getting water - could that explain why there's been no flowers on any of them?

Any advice/encouragement would be great

[rachel_nickless]

What size pots have you got them in Nicola? My first attempts at chillis were ruined by having them in too smaller pot. Check at the bottom if they are pot bound and you may have your answer...let me know how you get on

[Nicola_D]

haven't been on here for a while as been busy, but thought I'd post an update. My chillis are in quite biggish pots (8 or 10 inch I think).
About a month ago the plants started flowering and have gone mad, we've had loads of chillis, especially the F1's which have been growing to about 4 or 5 inches long. Some of the plants are still flowering - is this normal for indoor chillis at this time of year?

One of my pesky cats knocked one of the plants off the window sil and it snapped near the bottom of the main stem, so that only about two inches of stem was above the soil. I kept it near the sink, meaning to tip it all out at some point and within 3 days there were loads of new little leaves growing! I was going to try and 'over winter' some of them but I thought they were supposed to pretty much stop growing when you do this so I'm not sure what to do with this little plant now. I am encouraged that it has grown back when there was almost nothing to grow from though and will be watching how well it crops next year.

[stupo74]

Hi Nicola,
A little late for a reply tonight, sorry,

I have a few plants in the "Overwintering" phase

A couple have been trimmed severely (stem to about 4 inches) These include, the "Bhut Jolokia",& "Naga Morich" & a nice "Scotch Bonnet"

A couple more are this seasons plants that are still in flower. so they will be left to their own devices, (still on kitchen windowsill).

Very Busy at the mo, but will post some updated pics, in the next couple of days to show the winter plants, and of course the "Nursery" with some new seeds on the go.

Check out the other posts, regarding, the "Overwintering" ideas/experiments of these plants, or check out the info here,

over wintering chile pepper plants

I will post again tomorrow, hope the above helps,
cheers stupo

[Nicola_D]

Thanks stupo, that looks like a really good link, but late for reading now, but I shall read it over the weekend. I look forward to your pictures and updates

[stupo74]

Hi Again Nicola,
Glad the info was of some help to you
Yes i will post a few pics, just as soon as i have cleared my camera chip.
It is full of "Badger Snaps" again that need sorting and transfering to my pc.
Keep your eyes peeled Not sure if i will post here or in the other thread,
"The Jolokia Diary"

cheers stupo.

[greenfingerbag]

just brought my scotch bonnet plant inside that i have been given, will it do ok if it doesnt get much daylight?

[stupo74]

Hi Paul,
The plant you were given, does it have any fruit left on it???
Is it a fairly young plant?? from this season???

If you check out the link i posted in a previous post, that should give you some idea, as to which route you wish to take over the winter months.

I am having a few issues with my pc at present, but when sorted, i will be posting some pics of my "Overwintering" plant trials.(including a Scotch Bonnet)

Check out that link though, you will find alot of Great info.
Hope the above helps, cheers stupo.

[golden14]

I agree on the pot size this year I had some in 3 inch pots which did nothing but those in the 6 inch ones gave off 30+ chillies per plant - first year I grew them so it was a learning curve. Dried them in the Sun and have plenty to keep me going through winter.