How to grow Chilli

What to know when Growing Chillies

To ensure a reliable crop, chillies need a warm, sunny position outside or they can be grown in a glasshouse or covered structure. Very hot Chilli varieties definitely grow better under cover, as this helps develop the intense heat, taste and flavour.

Although they can be grown in well-prepared, moisture-retentive soil, they usually crop better and more reliably if grown in pots. Their close relatives capsicums or sweet peppers, on the other hand, do better grown in the vegetable patch.

Varieties of Chilli Pepper to grow

There are dozens of Chilli varieties ranging from warm through hot to XXXX. Even those labelled as ‘warm’ may be too hot for some people’s palates! While it is not always true, generally the smaller the Chilli, the hotter it will be. The following are all good reliable varieties of chilli:

• Bird's Eye
• Cayenne
• Cherry
• Long Red
• Long Green
• Poblano
• Habanero
• Jalapeno
• Thai Hot Dragon

One of the hottest chillies you can grow at home is Carolina Reaper is, which is extremely hot.

The hotter the variety the longer the whole growing process will take (from germination through to ripening) so bear this in mind when selecting your preferred type.

Sowing Chilli seeds

You can sow seeds from August to October. It is usually better to sow as early as possible, even July if you're growing very hot chillies, as they need a long warm season to crop well.

Sow seeds at indoor temperatures of 18-21 °C in pots of premium seed raising mix. Transplant the seedlings into individual 9-l0cm pots when two true leaves have formed, and grow them on at around 16-18°C.

Gradually harden off the plants for 10-14 days before planting outside.

1. Soak chilli seeds overnight in warm water before planting OR gently sandwich between damp paper towel, place in a plastic bag and leave in a warm position for a couple of days to improve germination.
2. Chilli seeds love hot weather so if you don’t have a heated glasshouse handy, grow them in a pot on the kitchen window sill for a bit of extra warmth.
3. Sow chilli seeds as early as possible (late winter for the hot varieties).
4. Sow seeds in small pots and very shallow (about 5mm deep), Transfer to a larger pot when two leaves have developed, try not to touch the forming roots when re-potting to prevent accidental damage.
5. Water regularly but don't allow the soil to become too moist. Cover the seed tray with perlite to aid moisture and heat retention, both of which the chilli seeds love.
6. If seedlings are to be planted outside in the garden, gradually harden them off for 14 days (leave outside during the day and bring in overnight).
7. Feed with a vegetable fertiliser as instructed on the label.

How to care for your growing chilli plants

Seedlings are ready to put into their permanent cropping position once the roots fill the small propagating pots. Move them up into 20cm- pots of superior potting mix in late September or October if growing in a glasshouse), or late October if growing outside.

Pinch out the growing tip when plants reach about 15-20cm high to encourage bushy growth and better cropping. You can also pinch back the sideshoots if lots of smaller chillies are preferred.

Water regularly and feed with a vegetable fertiliser, switching to a high potash food when the first chillies have set. Mist the foliage regularly, especially under cover, with tepid water to discourage red spider mite and to improve cropping.

How to get the best out of your chilli plants

1. Chilli plants like growing in situations where the temperature can be easily regulated.
2. If growing outside, select a sunny, sheltered, well drained position. If growing inside, a sunny window sill or conservatory is perfect. Just remember - don't let the soil dry out.
3. Pinch out the growing tip when the chilli plant gets to about 20cm high - this encourages bushy growth and better crops.
4. Pollination is needed to get fruits. Rub the bristles of a small paint brush (or use your little finger) gently over the flower heads to ensure that pollination occurs. If growing outside the chances for natural pollination are higher so this may not be necessary.
5. Give at least 60ml of water per week once the fruits have appeared, spray rather than water at the base to prevent over watering.
6. Chilli plants grown indoors can be treated as perennial houseplants and will need a good prune in the winter months.

Harvesting chillies

Pick the fruit as needed when it has reached a good size. You can either pick them when they're green (when the flavour is quite mild) or leave them on the plants until they have turned red, which develops a stronger, hotter flavour.

Harvest your Chillies by snipping the top of the stalk with sharp secateurs. Frequent harvesting of the fruits allows the plant to devote its energies to developing more fruit.

Chillies can be dried or frozen for later use. Dried Chillies make an interesting alternative for festive decorations.

Common Chilli pests

Chilli plants can be susceptible to the following plant pests: Aphids, Whitefly and Red Spider Mite. Use a Pyrethrum spray to control them or hang yellow sticky traps among plants.